ISA/ILS Ocean Safety Course

ISA/ILS Ocean Safety Course, is endorsed & recognised by the International Life Saving(ILS), is the world authority for drowning prevention, lifesaving and lifesaving sport.

This course fulfils the minimum water safety requirement for the ISA Coaching & Instructing Program. During this course, you will be trained in performing CPR, first aid, and unconscious board rescue. You will also be taught to understand ocean behavior and to assess & manage hazards.. When successfully completed, this course is used in conjunction with ISA Instructing courses to meet the Ocean Rescue Award required to apply for ISA accreditation.

The ISA/ILS Ocean Safety Course certification is valid for two years from the date of completion and to maintain award currency the candidate must attend a refresher course then and biannually after. 

Minimum Fitness Requirement for Surfing: 

  • 100m Run
  • Negotiation of the inner surf zone with a swim of 100m through the surf and impact zone and return to shore.
  • 100m Run

This is to be done within a 9.30-minute time frame. It is based on small to moderate surf conditions of 2-3ft surf, waist-to-head high surf. Time will be adjusted depending on the conditions by the presenter.

    Minimum Fitness Requirement for SUP. 

    • A 200m run in under 2 minutes.
    • A 400m swim in a pool or in flat open water conditions within a 10-minute time frame.

    Course Practical Assessment:

    The ISA/ILS Ocean Safety Course Assessment is a competency-based assessment. Participants must show competency in the following practical skills:

    • Unconscious board rescue.
    • Basic First Aid techniques in different scenarios.
    • Provision of basic emergency care including CPR

    Successful Course Completion

    To successfully complete the ISA/ILS Surf & SUP Ocean Safety Course, all participants must:

    • Satisfy the course prerequisites
    • Attend and be present for the training and assessment sessions as determined prior to the start of a course.
    • Show competency in all theory components including successful completion of the participant workbook.
    • Show competency in all practical components of the course including board rescue techniques, first aid techniques and satisfy the fitness requirements. 

    *** This is not a stand-alone beach lifeguarding course and is intended to complement the ISA Coaching and Instructing Program to meet the ISA requirement for all certified coaches to hold a valid, recognized water safety certification.

    *** ISA/ILS Water Safety Course is a complement to the ISA Surf and SUP Coaching Courses which cover the technical aspects of coaching. This course focuses on the water safety of coaching and organizers of the ISA/ILS Water Safety Course should collaborate with ISA Course Presenters.