Powerd by WaveRunner

Surf Life Saving Australia
Australia' SLSA, a volunteer organization with a 100-year history.

A life saving organization composed of mostly volunteers since 1907.
Long history, good performance record and organization make it vastly popular Australian people.
A pioneer of life saving activity worldwide.

In addition to the traditional rescue operation relying heavily on manpower, it has of late steadily introduced mechanical equipment such as rubber boats and helicopters.
PWC is expected to be main equipment for the operation in future.

Merits of using PWC for life saving

Merits of PWC
1) Better mobility and operability in rough weather and water.
2) Absence of projections such as impeller and tiller enhances safety when nearing swimmers.
3) High speed enables rapid approach to the drowned.
4) Better controllability makes the approach easier to the drowned.
5) Good water tightness ensures easy recovery in case of a capsize.
6) Compact body requires smaller keeping space.

Merits of rescue sled
1) No steps from the water surface make the climb and pulling up onto the sled easier.
2) Light and soft material ensures easy handling and provides soft feeling.

WaveRunner as a craft for rescue

The rescue-use WaveRunner is mounted rear-first on a special trailer for quicker launching in rescue operations.
The rescue approach is made with care to avoid other swimmers, and when reached, the rescue victim is pulled up on the rescue sled and towed back to the beach.
Depending on where there are unconscious swimmers, two lifesavers may participate in the rescue operation.

This downloadable movie shows rescue scenes by SLSA.

This is the SLSA rescue-use WaveRunner

Presently, SLSA uses a specially outfitted version of the Yamaha WaveRunner XL 700.
Here is an example of a Rescue Water Vehicle used by SLSA and supplied by the dealership, Northcoast Jet-Ski at Maroochydore, Queensland.

Rescue sled

A high-buoyancy mat is attached to the rear of the WaveRunner to put the person being rescued on.
A study 3-point attachment is used to ensure stability on the water.

Hand straps

Straps are attached to both sides of the WaveRunner hull.
By providing a place for people to hold on, more people can be rescued at once than with the rescue sled alone.

Keel guard

To accommodate frequent use on sand beaches, a protective material is added on the hull bottom to prevent scratching.

Trailer

A special reverse mounting system is adopted with the bow facing the rear.
This design enables quicker launching by just releasing the straps and pushing the craft straight into the water.

Floating tube

Attached to the hull with Velcro, this tube can be easily detached and thrown to a person in the water.

Wear guard

A wear guard material is applied to the stem of the craft to prevent friction with the rescue sled from damaging the FRP hull.

The movie also includes a message from Rod Kamp, owner of Northcoast Jet-Ski.

>>The Australian National Surf Life Saving Championship