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International Life Saving FederationRescue Boat Driver

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 DRIVER

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED COMPETENCIESA Rescue Boat Driver is a person able to master Rescue Boat operations.
The following are the minimum competencies recommended by the International Life Saving Federation for a Rescue Boat Driver. 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, or the minimum age at which a
License to drive a boat can be issued.
• 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.
• Hold a current ILS International Rescue Boat Crew Certificate.
• Both ILS International Rescue Boat Crew and Driver Certificates may be taken at the same time.
• Have satisfied the relevant local boating laws, regulations or licence requirements.
MINIMUM RECOMMENDED COMPETENCIESFor successful recognition for the ILS International Rescue Boat Driver Certificate the candidate must
be able to demonstrate competence in the following areas.
LEARNING OUTCOME 1: Shore based training. Demonstrate theoretical and practicalknowledge of the rescue boat.
Assessment Criteria:
1.1 Communication Demonstrate knowledge and use of two-way radio.
1.2 Navigation
 Demonstrate knowledge of the navigation rules and regulations of the waterway inwhich the boat will normally be used.
1.3 Motor
 Demonstrate knowledge of the boat’s motor, its construction, components, associatedequipment and maintenance needs.
1.4 Safety
 Demonstrate knowledge of the safety requirements when operating a motor.

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Rescue Boat Driver

1.5
1.6

1.7

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Dry Land Demonstration
 Demonstrate dry land simulated driving.
Weather and Local Conditions
 Demonstrate knowledge of local weather and prevailing conditions in the normal
operating area for the rescue boat.
Record Keeping Demonstrate knowledge of incident reporting systems.
 Demonstrate knowledge in the use of log books.

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 driver’s responsibilities in the launching,manoeuvring and recovery of the rescue boat.
2.2 Towing Demonstrate the correct towing technique for a disabled rescue boat and otherdisabled craft.
2.3 Motor Ignition, Running and Stopping Demonstrate competence in starting the motor, running the motor, stopping the motorand diagnosing starting difficulties.
2.4 Rescue
 Demonstrate the driver’s 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 casualtyc. Injured casualty
d. Two (2) conscious casualties
2.5 Care of Casualty
 Demonstrate care of the casualty in the rescue boat.
2.6 Casualty Carry Demonstrate the driver’s role in casualty transportation from the rescue boat to shoreand safety.
2.7 Emergency Procedures
 Demonstrate the ability to cope with the following emergency situations.
a. Crew 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 motor
attached to boat
LEARNING OUTCOME 3: General Operation. Demonstrate the general operation of the rescue
boat in normal operating conditions.
Assessment Criteria:
3.1 Buoys and Anchors Demonstrate (where available) the accurate laying, adjustment and recovery of buoys
and anchors.
3.2 Radios Demonstrate the knowledge of the use of radios including their basic maintenance
LEARNING OUTCOME 4 - Maintenance Considerations. Demonstrate theoretical and practicalknowledge of stowage and maintenance of the motor.
Assessment Criteria:
4.1 Stowage (storage) of Equipment

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4.2

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 Demonstrate knowledge of the driver’s responsibilities towards the cleaning andstowage (storage) of the motor after use.
Maintenance Demonstrate knowledge of the driver’s responsibilities towards the routine
maintenance of the motor.

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
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 DriverCertificate.
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 Driver Certificate. ILS members applyingfor 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 type ofboat
Water conditions in which the rescue craft are normally used such as surf orinland 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.