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International Life Saving FederationRescue Boat Crew

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATIONWorld Water Safety
Gemeenteplein 26 – 3010 Leuven – Belgium
Tel: (32.16) 89.60.60 – E-mail: ils.hq@telenet.be - Web: www.ilsf.org

RESCUE BOAT CREWMINIMUM RECOMMENDED COMPETENCIESA Rescue Boat Crew is a person able to assist a Rescue Boat Driver in Rescue Boat operations.
The following are the minimum competencies recommended by the International Life Saving Federation for a Rescue Boat Crew. The ILS recognises that many of its Member Organisations havestandards, which exceed these minimums, based on the circumstances presented in their own
countries. ILS encourages the highest possible standards in lifesaving, and merely provides thefollowing as recommended minimum competencies
PREREQUISITES
Prior to undertaking this assessment, participants are to:• Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the date of the assessment.
• Hold a current ILS International Surf Lifeguard or ILS International Inland-Open Water Lifeguard
Certificate.
• Have no limiting disabilities.
• Produce a log of practical experience.
• Have satisfied the relevant local boating laws, regulations or licence requirements.
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED COMPETENCIESFor successful recognition for the ILS Rescue Boat Crew Certificate the candidate must be able todemonstrate competence in the following areas.
LEARNING OUTCOME 1: Shore based training. Demonstrate theoretical and practicalknowledge of the rescue boat and motor.
Assessment Criteria:
1.1 Communication
 Demonstrate knowledge of all hand, flag and whistle signals and flares and their uses.
1.2 Boat Demonstrate knowledge of the boat, its construction, equipment and maintenanceneeds.
1.3 Pre-Operation Checks
 Demonstrate knowledge of the crew responsibilities in the pre-operation checks andall safety aspects to be observed in the operation of the rescue boat.
1.4 Knots
 Demonstrate the following knots.
a. Coil a ropeb. Bowline
c. Clove hitch
d. Sheet bend

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1.5
1.6

APPENDIX 23Page 2Safety
 Demonstrate a knowledge of the safety requirements when operating a rescue boat.
Dry Land Demonstration
 Demonstrate dry land simulated crewing

LEARNING OUTCOME 2: Water based training. Demonstrate theoretical and practicalknowledge of the rescue boat in water conditions.
Assessment Criteria
2.1 Launching, Manoeuvring and Recovery
 Demonstrate competence in all aspects of the crewman’s responsibilities in thelaunching, manoeuvring and recovery of the rescue boat.
2.2 Rescue
 Demonstrate the crew role whilst performing the following rescues, during which thecrew must demonstrate an ability to recover a patient, weighing approximately 70kg
(11stone or 154 pound), into the boat from the water.
a. Conscious casualty
b. Unconscious casualty
c. Injured casualty
d. Two (2) conscious casualties
2.3 Care of Casualty
 Demonstrate care of the casualty in the rescue boat.
2.4 Casualty Carry Demonstrate the crew role in casualty transportation from the rescue boat to shoreand safety.
2.5 Emergency Procedures
 Demonstrate the ability to cope with the following emergency situations.
a. Driver (helmsman) overboard
b. Engine failure in operational conditions
c. Simulated puncture of pontoon (inflatable rubber boat)d. Roll-over procedure for craft; simulated roll-over to be carried out without motorattached to boat
2.6 Resuscitation
 Demonstrate effective Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR), or Cardio Pulmonary
Resuscitation (CPR), where the rescue boat design permits, inside the rescue boat
while stationary.
LEARNING OUTCOME 3: Maintenance Considerations. Demonstrate theoretical and practicalknowledge of stowage and maintenance of the rescue boat.
Assessment Criteria:
3.1 Stowage (storage) of Equipment Demonstrate a knowledge of the responsibilities towards the cleaning and stowage(storage) of the rescue boat and associated equipment after use.
3.2 Maintenance Demonstrate a knowledge of the responsibilities towards the routine maintenance ofthe rescue boat, and associated equipment.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY
These learning outcomes are best assessed using the following common assessment methods:
 Observation
 Oral questioning Written examination (short answer or multiple choice) Simulated rescue scenario

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Rescue Boat Crew

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Only accredited instructors or trainers holding a current and valid certificate in the specific environmentof Offshore or Inshore operation are authorised to teach and examine the ILS Rescue Boat CrewCertificate.
RANGE OF VARIABLES
There are several variables that will affect the performance and the assessment of the learning
outcomes associated with the ILS International Rescue Boat Crew Certificate. ILS members applying
for achievement of the minimum Standard should specify the use of such variables in their
documentation.

VariableScope• Rescue BoatType of Rescue Boat, whether Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB), or other typeof boat.
Water conditions in which the rescue craft are normally used such as Surfor Inland Waterways.
Candidates may be required to wear their recognised uniform during theassessment.
Candidates will have experience and seeking service or currently employed
as a lifesaver/lifeguard.
ILS member organisations will list and identify the use of theoreticalresources available.

• Conditions• Dress• Candidates• Resources

Regulation approved by the ILS Board of Directors and ratified by the 2004 ILS General Assembly.