IRB crew person

The IRB crew person assists the IRB driver when operating an Inflatable Rescue Boat. It is a position that is sometimes referred to as being equivalent to a "human bullbar" due to their primary job in adding weight to the front of the boat to 'punch' through waves. Additionally, IRB crew persons must maintain the balance of the boat to enable fast turns as well as facilitate the rescue part of the service, including lifting patients into the water as well as swimming with a rescue tube.

Assessment

For a lifesaver to obtain their IRB Crew persons award, they must first be a minimum of 15 years of age and hold a Bronze Medallion award. Training usually is conducted over a number of weeks and at least 20 hours of training must be obtained before the final assessment can be sat. Training involves both theory and practical work. The practical work involve learning how to move around the IRB when the driver steers, patient pick up then returning the patient safely back to shore, "punching" waves, signals and holding the IRB steady before and after the IRB has left the shore for the driver.

Duties

While in the water, the crew person's job is to help keep the IRB balanced by shifting their body-weight while the IRB is being turned. During large surf, the crew person must also move to the front of the IRB and "punch" the wave to help prevent the IRB from flipping, if it does flip they must help the driver and rollover the IRB. The crew person must also carry out patient pickup if somebody is in trouble and then look after the patient in the boat while the driver returns to shore.

The crew person must also carry out responsibilities given to them by the driver. Such duties could be: placing and removing ancillary equipment pre- and post-IRB use, washing sand out of the IRB, as well inflating and deflating the IRB.

Racing

IRB crew persons are essential during IRB racing competitions. In addition to their traditional roles as outlined in the Duties section, they must also keep the boat steady prior to the commencement of the race, or in between rescues during the 'Mass Rescue' competition event.