ISA/ILS Ocean Safety Course

ISA/ILS Surf & SUP Instructor 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 Surf and SUP Instructor 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. 

The Basic Surf Fitness Test will be as a minimum the following:

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

This is to be done by showing surf skill competency 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.

    The Basic SUP Fitness Test will be as a minimum the following:

    • A 200m run in under 2 minutes.
    • A 400m swim in a pool or in flat open water conditions. 

    The swim is to be done showing aquatic skill competency within a 10-minute time frame.

    Course Practical Assessment:

    The ISA/ILS Surf & SUP Instructor 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 numerous scenarios
    • Provision of Basic Emergency Care including CPR

    Successful Course Completion

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

    • Satisfy the Course Prerequisites
    • Attend and be present for the full Course 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, and basic first aid techniques and satisfy the basic fitness components. 

     *** 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.