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