The Australian Resuscitation Council has released new guidelines for Basic Life Support. A summary of the changes can be downloaded form this link. You can view the guidelines at this link.

Royal Life Saving Queensland is a member of the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC). As trainers will recall, at the trainers workshops we have been discussing the recently updated ANZCOR guidelines. The ARC have now released new guidelines for Basic Life Support, which includes:

• ANZCOR Guideline 2 – Managing an Emergency
• ANZCOR Guideline 3 – Recognition and First Aid Management of the Unconscious Person
• ANZCOR Guideline 4 – Airway
• ANZCOR Guideline 5 – Breathing
• ANZCOR Guideline 6 – Compressions
• ANZCOR Guideline 7 –  Automated External Defibrillation in Basic Life Support
• ANZCOR Guideline 9 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

You can view the above guideline at this link.

The ARC have also released a summary of the changes which can be viewed at this link. The changes are not major, however we would like to point out to trainers the following matters:

Guideline 5 – 3.4 Bag valve mask

For rescuers trained in its use, bag valve mask ventilation is an alternative method option of providing rescue breathing A bag valve mask device is a self-inflating bag attached to a non rebreathing valve and face mask. There is an option to connect the bag to a reservoir and oxygen supply. There are different size devices for infants, children and adults: it is important to select the size appropriate to the person. Successful bag valve mask ventilation requires a patent airway (Guideline 4), adequate mask seal, and adequate ventilation technique. Prolonged bag valve mask ventilation or poor technique may introduce air into the stomach increasing the risk of regurgitation of gastric contents.

It is recommended that when bag valve mask ventilation is used, two trained rescuers provide ventilation for a non-breathing person: one to manage the airway, mask and seal, and the second to operate the bag. ANZCOR considers bag valve mask ventilation an extension to Basic Life Support thus it is not mandated in Basic Life Support training programs.

Note – Bold has been added to emphasize that the use of a BVM is not part of BLS trainer (i.e. not a requirement of regular CPR training for HLTAID009).

Guideline 7 – 2 Which rescuers should use an AED?

AED use should not be restricted to trained personnel. Allowing the use of AEDs by individuals without prior formal training can be beneficial and may be life saving. Since even brief training improves performance (e.g. speed of use, correct pad placement), it is recommended that training in the use of AEDs (as a part of BLS) be provided.

Note – Bold has been added for emphasis.

Guideline 7 – 5 Defibrillator Safety

There are no reports of harm to rescuers from attempting defibrillation in wet environments. In the presence of oxygen, there are no case reports of fires caused by sparking when shocks were delivered using adhesive pads.

Please note that Royal Life Saving training for the use of Oxygen has not changed at this time, our position remains:

• Ensure the patient is not lying in a pool of water ^{(reference Pool Lifeguard Manual page 110)}, and 
• that Oxygen should be turned off or minimum 1 m away ^{(reference Pool Lifeguard Manual page 110)} whilst a shock is applied.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Royal Life Saving aligns its first aid training with the Australian Resuscitation Guidelines and the
nationally recognised units of competency HLTAID009 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
and HLTAID011 Provide first aid. With regard to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in infants, 0-1 years, ‘ANZCOR Guideline 6 – Compressions’ states that…

‘A person requiring chest compressions should be placed on their back on a firm surface (e.g.
backboard or floor) before chest compressions to optimize the effectiveness of compressions.’

Australian Resuscitation Council (ANZCOR Guideline 6)

Read Position Statement 2021-02 here.

It is with enormous sadness that we hear of the news of the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Alongside our Patron, HM The Queen, the Duke has been a great supporter of the Society for which we are immensely grateful. All members of the Society across the Commonwealth are united in offering deepest sympathy to Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family at this time.

Royal Life Saving Queensland release the Autumn Newsletter in which we provide an update on:
– The enormous success we are having with the release of our Swim Teacher Couse
– The announcement of our Aquafutures Conference 2021
– The release of the Australian Water Safety Strategy for 2030
– Reporting on the Royal Life Saving Beach Championships
– Announcing the Royal Life Saving School Championships
– An update on our programs and projects
– The release of a new Course (CPR with Asthma & Anaphylaxis Refresher)
– New Lifeguard Tracksuit for winter
– The next Cert IV (CPP41319) in Swimming Pool & Spa Service Course commencing on 12 April 2021
Read more by clicking on the link below.

The Queensland Primary and Secondary School Life Saving Championships are being held on 23 May 2021, at the Sunshine Coast Grammar Aquatic Centre. The event allows schools that undertake programs such as Swim and Survive to give students a sporting alternative. The Championships are being hosted by the Sunshine Coast Grammar Pool Lifesaving Club, which is affiliated with Royal Life Saving.

The Championship for the Primary school students will include age-appropriate swim racing and rescue events, such as the 8m Line Throw, 50m Rescue Race, 100m Individual Life Saving Race, and more. The Secondary School students will  have an opportunity to compete in the 200 Individual Medley, 4 x 50m Team Survival Relay,  100m Rescue Race, and more.

Registration Form
Primary School Championships

Registration Form
Secondary School Championships

Since 1998, the Australian Water Safety Council (AWSC) has produced National Water Safety Plans and Strategies to guide the activities of the Australian water safety community and work towards a reduction of drowning deaths. The new Australian Water Safety Strategy 2030 has been launched.

The Australian Water Safety Strategy (AWSS) plays an essential role in National, State and Territory, and community approaches to preventing drowning and promoting safe use of the nation’s waterways and swimming pools. This AWSS 2030 marks a new and renewed approach. It is more structured, targeted and reinforces four things that are key to our aspirations of reducing drowning by 50% by 2030. Click here for more information. Click here to download the strategy.

Royal Life Saving Queensland are pleased to announce we are running courses at Kokoda Memorial Pool at Mudingburra, Townsville from Thursday April 15 to Sunday April 18.

To enrol into one of these courses, please click here.

We are growing and are looking for training staff. We are seeking staff to help deliver the following courses for us:

• CPR / First Aid
• Bronze & Aquatic Rescue Courses
• Our range of Swim Teacher Courses
• Our community programs and projects

We are constantly training and developing our staff, so if you are a swim teacher or lifeguard looking to grow in your career, please talk to us.

Enquire now: www.rlssq.com.au/about-us/positions-vacant/

Royal Life Saving is looking for enthusiastic people to join our team. We are currently looking for:
– Training & Project Support Officer to deliver swimming and water safety training and programs. This role would suit a swim teacher looking for a greater challenge.
– Recreation Facility Coordinator to work at The Plantation Aquatic Centre and build our swim school and activity/program delivery.
Express interest at this link.

Royal Life Saving Queensland has issued a Position Statement (No 2021-01) in respect to acceptable certificates and training for Pool Lifeguard’s and Swim Teachers.

On 15 October 2020 new Units of Competence in the Health Training Package were released (HLTAID009 and HLTAID011), which replaced previous units of
competence HLTAID001 and HLTAID003, however industry documents still refer to the superseded units. Many RTOs are now delivering training with the new units and this is creating problems to the industry.

Position Statement (No 2021-01) clarifies what Royal Life Saving Queensland will accept in respect to training certificates until such time as the industry documents are updated.