Nipper Rescue Certificate (NRC)

Dates

Updated 2 Nov 2026.

How to get it

1. 1

   Step 1: Prepare

   Bring a wetsuit or bathers, goggles, a towel and warm clothes.

2. 2

   Step 2: Do the course

   An ocean swim, tube rescues, a contact tow and the signals.

3. 3

   Step 3: Keep it current

   Each season: show all 8 signals and a run-swim-rescue.

   Book your Skills Maintenance Check (SMC) on Learn

   If you miss your SMC

   In short: if you’re an Active Member and miss 31 December, your membership is put on hold for a month, then it ends. Until you do your SMC you can’t patrol.

   If you are an Active Member and are not proficient by 31 December, your membership is automatically suspended for 1 month (from 31 December, or from a later date if the Chair of Education has granted you an extension). If you are still not proficient at the end of that month, your membership automatically ends (By-law 11.3). To ask for an exemption or more time, write to the Chair of Education by 31 December (By-law 11.4). Under SLSWA rules you also cannot patrol, operate rescue craft or compete until you are proficient.

   Long Service Members must requalify each season (By-law 6.2.4(f)). Under SLSWA rules you can’t patrol until you do.