Royal Life Saving Queensland releases our draft strategic framework for public comment and feedback.

Executive Director Mr Paul Barry said “the framework has taken two years to developed and has involved a wide ranges of stakeholders including members and volunteers”. Mr Barry also said that “the framework development was driven by members and stakeholders and includes alignment with other Royal Life Saving states”.

The Strategic Framework includes a refreshed purpose, vision and newly developed beliefs. It discusses our values and the has four strategic pillars:

• Eliminate drowning
• Empowering communities
• Succeeding together
• Strengthening safety

How you can provide feedback?

Please review the Draft Strategic Framework and let us know what you think. You can email feedback to us at admin@rlssq.com.au. Please provide any feedback by 20 January 2025.

How do I get a copy?

Please click the button below to get a copy of the Strategic Framework

With summer approaching, public aquatic facility operators are reminded that even well-maintained venues have been linked to outbreaks of illness including cryptosporidiosis. As such Queensland Health is distributing some healthy swimming messaging to our members. Below is the following resources can be used as needed:

• Fact Sheet (A4 – General)
• Fact Sheet (A4 – Change Tables)
• Fact Sheet (A4 – Public/Shared Pools Toilets)
• Fact Sheet (A4 – School Pools)
• PowerPoint Template (Public Pool Screens)
• Social Media Tile (General)
• Social Media Tile (Change Table)
• Social Media Tile (School Pools)
• Social Media Tile (Toilet)

The key messaging regarding healthy swimming is:

• Sometimes germs can contaminate the pool water and make people sick.
• Don’t swim if you have diarrhoea or have had diarrhoea in the last 14 days.
• Avoid swallowing pool water.
• Shower before and after you swim.
• Wash your hands with soap after going to the toilet or changing a nappy.
• Change nappies in nappy change areas inly.
• Contact your GP if you suspect you have contracted cryptosporidiosis.

Download Resources at this link: https://lnkd.in/g_faM8GH

Yesterday (6 November 2024) Queensland Water Safety and Aquatic Collaborative (QWSAC) hosted its first Trainers Workshop.

The collaborative includes Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc, SWIM Coaches & Teachers Australia (SWIM), AUSTSWIM and Swimming Queensland.

QWSAC members presented to over 50 attendees and discussed key aquatic industry changes, youth engagement and career pathways, updates on RTO standards, industry introduction of AI and inclusivity in training to mention a few.

As well as presentations, attendees participated in small group discussions and QWSCA members walked away with valuable insights on how to better support trainers and students in the aquatic industry.

QWSAC aims to make the workshop an annual event to continue to deliver support to trainers, swim teachers, employees and students in the aquatic industry and work towards achieving better VET outcomes.

RLSSQ is delighted to announce changes to the RLSSQ Board and also to welcome two new members.

Mr James (Jim) McClelland BM OAM has been appointed Deputy President. Jim is a life member and volunteer, having commenced his service to the society in 1971. Jim is an active member with Ithaca–Caloundra City Life Saving Club where he patrols every Saturday during summer. Jim is also a trainer and involved in the development and delivery of club based courses. Jim is a member of a number of advisory committees with Royal Life Saving Queensland, Australia and Commonwealth. In his work life, Jim owns an accounting practice.

We are also pleased to announce the appointment to the board of directors of Mr Tim Goward. Tim works for the City of Gold Coast as the manager of major venues and has been involved in the aquatic industry since 2004 holding positions from facility manager. Tim’s experience in the aquatic industry supports the board skill base and will assist us enhance our governance and quality of product delivery.

And finally, RLSSQ is pleased to announce the appointment to the board of directors of Mr Andrew Chan. Andrew has been a member and trainer since 2012 and is experienced in RTO management, administration, compliance and Learning and Development. Andrew has supported RLSSQ for many years in an informal capacity with RTO advice and industry engagement, and his role on the board will bring further skills to the board to enhance our training breadth and skills.

Congratulations to all and thank you for your continued service to RLSSQ.

Advancing Aquatic Safety: Supporting the use of AI-Enhanced Drowning Detection Systems

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed various industries, and the aquatic sector is no exception. AI-enhanced drowning detection systems are now emerging as an innovative tool to improve aquatic safety in facilities across Australia. These advanced systems use strategically placed cameras, sensors and AI algorithms to monitor pools, identifying potential drowning incidents and alerting lifeguards in real time.

Recent research has found that delayed drowning detection occurs when lifeguard/patron ratios exceed 1:75*. By integrating these new technologies, aquatic facilities can support the capabilities of lifeguards and strengthen supervision systems. This provides an additional layer of safety, that helps to prevent incidents and potential tragedies.

These AI drowning detection systems are designed to identify unusual movement, patterns or behaviours, which indicate distress in the water, alerting lifeguards via a smartwatch or alarm system and enabling them to intervene swiftly. This can be particularly helpful in busy environments where lifeguards are monitoring visually cluttered scenes and processing large amounts of stimuli for sustained periods.

Royal Life Saving – Australia is conducting a survey to better understand how to safely and effectively incorporate AI-enhanced drowning detection systems into current supervision frameworks, plans and protocols. As these technologies gain traction, we aim to identify the support needed for the industry to maximise a safe and positive impact. This survey will gather feedback on current knowledge, perceived benefits, challenges, and the training required to successfully implement these systems in aquatic environments.

Click here to participate in the survey and contribute to the future of aquatic safety.

For more information on AI-enhanced drowning detection systems, visit our website or contact us at: info@rlssa.org.au.

*(Araiza-Alba, Matthews, Foster & Kaufman 2023)

Powered by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.

Royal Life Saving Queensland, introduces Award Membership. Award Membership is granted to any person who has completed one or more nationally recognised training course with us. Unless a person opts out, the person will automatically become an Award Member upon, either:

• completion of a workbook for an eligible course, or
• registration for an eligible course via the society’s training system (aXcelerate).

Course participants do not need to do anything, they will automatically become a member when they complete an eligible course with us, unless they opt out.

Benefits of being an Award Member include:

• We may issue offers that are only available to members
• You can contact us at any time for free advice in respect to aquatic safety
• You will be sent our newsletter with interest articles around aquatics and drowning
• You can attend our Annual General Meeting and receive our annual report
• You can nominate people for a society honour or award
• You can upgrade to paid membership

We encourage Award Members to become paid members of the society (which are referred to in our constitution as an ordinary member). Ordinary Members are entitled to voting rights and can be elected to the board or a committee. To become a paid member, please go to the Royal Life Saving Hub and sign up as a paid member.

We encourage Award Members to become paid members of the society (which are referred to in our constitution as an ordinary member). Ordinary Members are entitled to voting rights and can be elected to the board or a committee. To become a paid member, please go to the Royal Life Saving Hub using the QR code to the right.

Eligible Courses include:

Any course completed after 1 July 2024 with the following characteristics:

• Any course with a Unit of Competence attached
• Any Club Course

Royal Life Saving releases it’s annual report for the financial year (June 2024). The society continued to provide increased services to the Queensland community, with significantly increased activity in community programs, training and other activity.

Society President, Ms Nicky Sloan said “As we approach the 120th anniversary of Royal Life Saving Queensland, it is a privilege to reflect on the remarkable progress we have made in our mission of drowning prevention and water safety. The past year has been a testament to our
resilience, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to saving lives.“

“.

NOTICE OF AGM   

We would like to invite members to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the society which will be held on Thursday 12 September 2024 at The Plantation, 1204 New Cleveland Road, Gumdale Qld 4154, commencing at 7.00 pm. Please find attached the Notice and Agenda for the AGM.

If you have not yet renewed your membership for this season, you can renew your membership by completing the membership renewal form.

Please would you forward any apologies by email to admin@rlssq.com.au. 
If you have any questions please contact us on (07) 3823 2823 or email admin@rlssq.com.au. 

On behalf of

Mr Luke Daly
The Honorary Secretary
Royal Life Saving Society Queensland Inc

Every year, Royal Life Saving produces a National Drowning Report. This report examines the factors that contribute to drowning deaths in Australia by examining who, where, when and how people have drowned in Australian waterways over the last year. Royal Life Saving has produced a National Drowning Report every year since 1995.

National Drowning Report 2024

The National Drowning Report 2024, released on Tuesday 20^th August at Parliament House, Canberra showed drowning is a persistent and traumatic issue that affects thousands of families, first responders and communities every year.

The National Drowning Report 2024, published by the Royal Life Saving – Australia in partnership with Surf Life Saving Australia, found there were 323 drowning deaths over the past 12 months, 16 per cent higher than the ten-year average (278).

The National Drowning Report 2024 insights include: 

• 92 adults 65 years or older drowned (28% of the total), the largest number ever
• 15 children under the age of 5 drowned. This was down by 25% on the 10-year average
• 25% were born overseas, with the highest countries being India, China, Nepal and the UK. Long term data shows this figure is higher (34% over ten years)
• People from disadvantaged and regional areas drowned at a higher rate than those from higher advantaged areas, particularly in children aged 5 – 14 years
• 46% occurred in coastal locations (150), including 84 drowning deaths (26%) at beaches
• 34% at inland waterway locations (110), including 80 drowning deaths (25%) at rivers
• 11% occurred in swimming pools (35 deaths), half (51%) were backyard pools
• December and March recorded the highest numbers of drowning deaths
• Drowning rates increase ten-fold from age 10 to age 20, likely due to increases in risk taking, and a lack of swimming, water safety and lifesaving skills across youth and young adult populations.