Surf Life Saving – Sport Policy Statement SPS010

Subject: IRB Racing Personal Protective Equipment

Endorsement Date: September 2017 Endorsed By: SLSNZ Review Date: June 2018

1. Introduction As a leading water safety organisation, we should be leading the way in reducing risks where appropriate for our members, as well as setting a good image and example to our communities on the beach. The introduction of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one area we look to reduce risk along with the following key safety measures: Eliminate, Substitution, Isolation, Engineering, Administrative control measures.

There is increased pressure from organisations like Water Safety NZ, Coastguard and Harbour Masters regarding the wearing of Lifejackets for all boat users, power or unpowered. IRB racing has the highest injury rate to our members, and we are required to make practical steps to reduce risk and increase protection where possible.

2. Objectives of this Policy The objective of this policy is to provide best safety standards for members competing in IRB Racing and outline the requirements for personal protective equipment required.

3. Rules The following rules have been developed by the National IRB Advisory Group and National Sport Committee and SLSNZ Board.

1. With the one exception below, lifejackets are compulsory for all IRB Drivers, Crew Person and Patients in competition and competition training. . Note for the Tube Rescue Race patients do not need to wear a lifejacket but will be required to wear a High Visibility Vest and continue to be clipped in the rescue tube while in the boat.

2. Helmets are compulsory for all IRB Patients, Crew Person and Drivers in competition and competition training.

4. Lifejacket Operational Requirements To be fit for purposes, a lifejacket for inshore aquatic powercraft activities must be able to meet the following requirements:  Be non-restrictive and streamlined for operational duties including swimming (25m in calm seas), lifting patients and moving in and around powercraft;  Be suitable for beach and surf conditions (durable to salt water and extreme UV conditions);  Be easy and quick to fit and remove;  Optional: Where the lifejacket is to be used for night time operations, it is to have reflective taping on the outside of the jacket;  Optional: If required, have a securing point for a duty radio on the right collar bone area (Inherently buoyant lifejackets only). Inflatable lifejackets (manually activated and automatically activated) are not permitted in Surf Sports competition.

5. Lifejacket Construction Lifejackets must meet New Zealand Standard (NZS) 5823: 1999, NZ S5823. 2001, or NZS 5823: 2005 – specification for buoyancy aids. – or another national standard substantially complying with the New Zealand standards. These include US, , European and ISO standards. Personal flotation devices level 50 is the minimum requirement.  The lifejacket is to be lightweight;

 The lifejacket is to be non-obstructive to the throat, neck or face area;  The lifejacket must not have any sharp edges or materials that may cause injury to the user;  The lifejacket must be able to be secured as to prevent riding up;  Any fastening device/s on the lifejacket are to be fashioned in a way to not cause entanglement;  The lifejacket is to be comfortable to wear.

The wearing of a high visibility colour on a competitors lifejacket or addition vest overtop is optional for drivers, crewperson and patients while wearing a lifejacket. Patients are still required to wear a high visibility vest for the tube rescue event if they choose not to wear a lifejacket.

6. Recommended Supplier Product Features Company

Competition Radio Pouch, Split Foam design, Burnsco PFD Single internal belt, Reflective tape

Surf PFDs - Burnsco Marine Available downloads - Surf Lifeguard order form (doc, 78kb) p. 0800 102041 e. [email protected] Link to SLSNZ Website

7. Helmet Operational Requirements To be fit for surf lifesaving purpose, a helmet for inshore aquatic powercraft activities must be able to meet the following requirements:  Be non-restrictive and streamlined for operational duties including swimming (25m in calm seas), lifting patients and moving in and around powercraft;  Be suitable for beach and surf conditions (durable to salt water and extreme UV conditions);  Be easy and quick to fit and remove;  Be sized to fit the intended wearers head size.

8. Helmet Construction: Helmets must meet NZ / CE 1385 standards for whitewater safety.

 The helmet is to be lightweight (less than 600g)  The helmet does NOT feature a prominent peak, visor or flared brim projecting outwards from the shell.  The helmet has prominent and functional drainage/ventilation holes.  The helmet does NOT cover the ears without a functional device/design to enable hearing.  Helmet shell sizes are proportional to the intended wearers head size. (for example: child helmets must have a smaller shell circumference to adult helmets)

9. Recommended Helmet Suppliers: Hutchwilco - www.hutchwilco.co.nz  Hutchwilco Water Sports Helmet

Bern – http://bernunlimited.com (mission sports)  Brighton H20 (ladies’ helmet)  Macon H20 (men’s helmet)

Gath – www.gathsports.com

 Gedi  SFC

Predator – www.hellnuts.com  Uno  Short Cut

Yak - Kontour Helmet. http://www.crewsaver.com/Yak/p/764/kontour-helmet  Kontour Helmet

NZ Sailing Ltd - www.nzsailing.net  Gul Evo - http://www.nzsailing.net/gul-evo-protection-helmet-with-ear-protection- yellow-red-xidp668696.html  Gul Evo2 - http://www.nzsailing.net/gul-evo2-protection-helmet-very-high-impact- xidp668697.html

Surf Life Saving Australian approved helmets are accepted by Surf Life Saving New Zealand and you can view their helmets via this link. SLSA Helmets. Please note that this is not a full list of helmets that meet the operational and construction requirements set out above. If you are unsure if you helmet meets the requirements about please contact [email protected] .