Kristy McIntyre can proudly and happily give Mark Fabik, her husband, an enormous bit of resuscitation, as the Australia-based Serpentine SC member has just won Australian surfing's highest qualification, the Surf Life Saving Gold Medal.
In Australia, and dare I say it, also at the Serpentine, the Gold Medallion is regarded as the pinnacle of Surf Life Saving.
Congratulations Mark, and if it doesn't take your breath away, have a read below of what was involved.
- Perform Complex Patient Rescue and Support, Aided and Unaided by Equipment
- Select appropriate rescue equipment
- Access and manage the patient’s levels of distress
- Support and return patients to shore
- Perform a one-person drag technique and patient lay
- Select appropriate rescue equipment
- Perform Surf Skill and Fitness Test
- Complete a 400 metre swim, 800 metre run, 400 metre board paddle and 800 metre run in
25 minutes
- Complete tube rescue of patient 100 metres out at sea and return (flippers optional)
- Complete board rescue of patient 200 metres out at sea and return
- Complete a 400 metre swim, 800 metre run, 400 metre board paddle and 800 metre run in
- Work Autonomously
- Plan and undertake work activities
- Accept responsibilities
- Set performance requirements
- Maintain team performance
Entry Requirements
- Participants must be a minimum of 17 years of age on the date of final assessment.
- Participants must meet the following SLSA requirements:
- Hold a current SLSA Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
- Hold a current Advanced Resuscitation Certificate
- Hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate
- Hold a current Silver Medallion Patrol Captain/Basic Beach Management
- Hold a current Spinal Management Certificate
- Complete an 800 metre swim in 14 minutes or less in a swimming pool no less than 25 metres
- Hold a current SLSA Bronze Medallion/Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue)
- Plan and undertake work activities
Yours swimmingly
[John Tierney]