Inflatable Rescue BoatCrew & Driver

Workshop

Version 3.0

HousekeepingCourse Time

➔ 5 hours

Facilities➔ Refreshments➔ Facilities➔ Mobile Phones➔ Emergency Procedures

Trainers/Assessors➔ Specific IRB Trainers are

only to conduct IRB Training

Safety➔ See next slide➔ Risk activity (see future slides)

Resources➔ Patrol Operations Manual➔ SLSA Material➔ IRB Video

Assessment➔ Theory Workshop➔ Practice under Supervision

Safety

✔ Safety is the primary consideration in all IRB operations.✔ IRB personnel should act responsibly at all times.✔ The IRB is a high profile and expensive piece of

equipment – everyone sees what you are doing.✔ You should follow the Drivers instructions at all times,

unless safety is risked.✔ You need to be aware of your limitations and

communicate these with the Driver.✔ Always follow the IRB Training Procedures.✔ A 'RESCUE' is not a reason to operate un-safely, or

outside of your approved skill level (i.e. large surf)

Purpose of this BriefingPurpose➔ Knowledge of operating

procedures➔ Operate the boat safely without

injury

PrerequisiteIRB Crew✔ 15 years of age (parental

permission)✔ Patrol Bronze Medallion✔ 10 hrs & physically able

IRB Driver✔ 16 years of age (parental

permission)✔ Rec. Marine Driver Licence✔ Patrol Bronze Medallion✔ IRB Crew✔ 10 hrs & physically able

You must complete this training to use an IRB for

Operational Use

IRB - Safety

Review

IRB Introduction&

Safety Training Presentation

(30 minutes)

IRB - Daily Safety Considerations

Every time an IRB is used the Driver & Crew must determine if it safe to operate the IRB.

They should consider:➔Surf and weather conditions➔Space available for operations➔Location of launch and landing site➔Seaweed or other debris / contaminates in the water➔Skill level of the Driver / Crew➔If conducting training, the number of Operators,

Trainers and/or Candidates

IRB - Refuelling SafetyIRB Fuel

Petrol & Oil MixturePetrol – What Type => Unleaded

Oil – What Type => Two Stroke (outboard)How to Mix

Checking for fuel leaks

Safety PrecautionsRefuel outside, in a well ventilated area

Have a Fire Extinguisher (dry powder)/blanket readyWash small spills with detergent & water

Large Spills – use sand & dispose of safely

IRB – Licences

License RegimeNon-Operational Crew Intro & Safety Training

(before training can start for Crew certificate, require Swim & Survive)

Operational Crew Crew Certificate(Must have Patrol Bronze Medallion)

Driver Driver CertificateLow Surf (to 1Metre) for 1 year, before being assessed for High Surf

(Must have Recreation Marine Drivers Licence)

AgesNon-Operational Crew 12 y/o

Crew (Operational) 15 y/oDriver 16 y/o

IRB - Role of Crew Person

Before & After Operations➔ Assist Prepare the IRB for

use➔ Assist Pack up the IRB➔ Be a safety observer whilst

the IRB is being towed ➔ Complete Log books➔ Assembles Two Way radio➔ Reporting damaged

equipment

During Operations➔ IRB Driver controls the IRB,

whilst Crew performs task/work

➔ Crew helps to balance and stabilise the IRB

➔ Helps guide the IRB Driver➔ Clearly tell driver any

limitation you may have➔ Gives instructions to patient

IRB - Role of DriverIRB Driver➔ The IRB Driver is responsible for overall operation of the IRB

and is responsible for the boat, crew, to the community and the Club.

➔ An IRB Driver must comply with relevant laws➔ The Driver supervises the Crew person in the pre and post

operational maintenance of the IRB➔ The Driver gives directions to the Crew person while in the

IRB➔ The Driver needs to have good communication skills to give

clear instructions and to listen to the Crew.

IRB - Pre & Post OperationsPre Operations➔ Check & complete logbooks➔ Consider - are the beach/water

conditions safe?➔ Prepare Boat, check pressure➔ Assemble the motor, fuel cell, and

equipment - place in/on the IRB➔ Set-up of radio communication

equipment

Post Operations➔ Hose-down the IRB, motor and all

equipment with fresh water, removing all sand and debris from inside the IRB

➔ It may be necessary to partially deflate the IRB and remove the floorboard

➔ Inspect the IRB and ancillary equipment for damage and record in the log book when not possible to repair

➔ Run the motor in fresh waters for 3-5 minutes

➔ While the motor is still running disconnect the fuel line and allow excess fuel to be used

➔ Remove Fuel Bag

Video● Ch 15 - Post IRB Operations

IRB Equipment & Storage Area➔Ancillary equipment

➔Spare Motors, Fuel Tanks, etc➔Safety issues in the IRB area

➔Use sign and/or witches hats to mark IRB area➔ Manual handling

➔Minimum 4 Adults to carry IRB➔Minimum 2 Adults to carry Motor

➔ Safe storage of fuel➔Store away from sparks, in a ventilated area that will

contain leaks➔ Reporting damaged equipment➔ Accident/incident reporting

Video● Ch 2 - IRB Shed

IRB – CommunicationsArm & Flags Signals

● Flag Signal Chart● Main Signals

– Return to shore– Basic Directions– Remain Still– Drop Buoys– Pick up Buoys

● Landing Safety (use signals)

Two Way radio

● Driver wears radio in harness

● Working Channel● In Emergency – use

Repeater Channel ● Radio Protocols as per

Radio Operator Certificate training

IRB – Hand or Flag Signals

IRB – Hand or Flag Signals

IRB – Line (rope) & KnotsDifferent knots have

different uses

Stopper● Figure 8 Stop knot

Bend● Fisherman's knot

Hitches● Anchor Bend● Clove Hitch

Loops● Bowline

Binding● Reef knot

Rope Shortening● Sheepshank (not a

sheet bend)

iPhone App - Whatknot

IRB – Crew & Driver Skills

Basic Skills● Craft launch & Retrieval● Crew in Surf to 1m● Towing a boat● Recoveri kite/windsurfer

Video● Ch 10 – Beaching● Ch 4 – Crew Technique

● Ch 5 – Negotiating Surf● Ch 6 – Parallel Running● Ch 7 – Punching a wave

Discuss (after each Chapter)● Crewman's Role● Safety & Injury

Prevention

IRB – Crew & Driver Skills

VideoWatch Crew Video (prior slide)

● Ch 8 – Solo Driving

Discuss● Drivers Role

● Risk, Injury & Prevention

IRB – Rescue & Emergency CareSkills● Patient Lift Techniques● Spinal Injury

Patient Types● Conscious Patient● Unconscious Patient● Patient with Equipment● Uncooperative patient● Injured & Multiple

When to deploy Crewwith a Rescue Tube

Video● Ch 11 – Rescue Ops● Ch 13 – Emergency Ops● Ch 14 – Search & Rescue

Discuss● Your Safety First● Can you say “no, its too

dangerous” in a rescue

IRB – Advanced Skills

Unusual Rescues● Kite Surfer (rescue manual)● Wind Surfers● Jet Skis● Small Boats

Unusual Situations● Engine Failure● Puncture● Boat roll over

Priority● What do you rescue first,

patient or equipment (patient)

● Do you have to retrieve equipment (No)

IRB – Advanced SkillsTowing

● Only tow a boat (or other craft) if no risk to you or equipment

● Maximum tow capacity is 100kg (not very much)

● Do not tow an IRB from front lift handle

● Consider if you need to be able to quickly release the boat under tow

● May only be able to tow at fast idle speed

● Must have a request from the skipper of boat before towing

Method 1 – Tow Bridle● Attach tow bridle to hooks

at rear of IRB

Method 2 – Signle Line● Attach line to bow rope

When Towing● First Take Strain● Watch cornering (take

large wide turns)

IRB – Buoys & Anchors

Video

● Ch 9 – Buoys & Anhcors

Types of AnchorsHow much Line & How much Chain

Take care not to drag rope/chain over side of boat, as the chain or anchor can puncher the boat.

Always approach a buoy against the current

IRB – Record Keeping

Log Book● For simplicity, the IRB log is now part of the

Patrol Log● Log book must be completed daily● All problems must be recorded in the log book● All Rescue's & Preventative Actions must be

recorded● All training must be recorded

MSQ Incident ReportWorkcover Incident Report

IRB – Motor Rollover Procedure

After Rollover● Driver & Crew OK?● Is Incident Report Req'd –

speak to Club Captain● Must ring Gear Steward

● Fire Extinguisher/Blanket● Well Ventilated area● Test Fuel in tank (put some in

a glass, look for bubbles)

Procedure (short version)● Look at the Manual● Drain carby & filter● Remove Spark Plugs,

earth leads● Stop Switch to off● Drain Water/Flush● Re-assemble● Run motor for a

minimum of 2 hours

IRB – Driver, High Surf Accreditation

How to be accredited to operate an IRB in Surf Greater than 1m

The candidate must:

a) Have held an IRB Drivers Certificate for one yearb) Have demonstrated to an Assessor, skill to drive in

Swell and Surf of at least 2mc) The applicant has support of the IRB Assessor and

Club Captain

IRB - Workbooks

Finalisation of Safety BriefingSafety over rides everything we do

We do not want Accidents, Injuries orComplaints (public)

Please complete your workbooks

You will soon be asked to change clothing and meet on beach for ....

IRB – Practical ComponentAll● IRB Set up● Rescue

– Single Person– Multiple Person– Mass Rescue

● Refuelling● Simple driving● Crew in Surf of less than

1m in size● Rescue of Unconscious

Patient

IRB DriverAct as driver for crew function to the left, plus...

● Solo Driving (flat water)● IRB Closedown● Deflating/Re-inflating● Launch & Retrieve IRB

with trailer

End of Presentation

Questions