Member HandbookChapter 9.1
What Happens After a Critical Incident
Updated 15 Aug 2026 · Content
A critical incident is a traumatic event — or the threat of one — resulting in serious injury, death, extreme stress or significant risk during club activity. Examples include a drowning, near-drowning or failed resuscitation, a serious injury requiring hospitalisation, a missing person search, or a serious assault. The Club's Critical Incident Response Policy exists so that anyone involved is supported consistently, and the club meets its duty of care.
In the first 24 hours
- Everyone on patrol is accounted for, and safe transport is confirmed before anyone leaves the site
- No one leaves in a distressed state without welfare support being offered
- A wellbeing information session explains what support is available and what happens next; Chaplain support is offered on request
- A hot debrief is held within 24 hours — focused on welfare, acknowledging the event, and capturing essential facts, not on reliving what happened in detail
What you shouldn't do
Don't post, share or comment about a critical incident on social media or messaging groups — including photos, names or speculation — until the President has authorised what can be shared. This protects everyone involved, including you.
In the following weeks
Individual well-checks — one-to-one, not group, and not counselling — are offered at roughly 48 hours, one week, and one month after the incident. A cold debrief around 7 days afterwards is a separate, operational-learning session focused on what can be improved, kept apart from wellbeing conversations.