Lifesaving in The United Kingdom and Ireland
Lifesaving and lifeguarding are promoted as a sport and a life skill by the Royal Life Saving Society UK There are over 1400 lifesaving clubs based throughout the UK and Ireland, which teach skills such as drowning prevention, life support and personal survival. The learning of lifesaving takes place in a variety of water environments, such as swimming pools, inland water venues and at coastal locations. Often clubs coach their members towards achieving RLSS UK awards as part of the Survive & Save Programme. the flagship award being the Bronze Medallion. For a description of the Medallion itself see Bronze Medallion (New Zealand and Australia).
Subsequent awards under the Survive & Save programme follow a path to silver and gold though four disciplines of lifesaving, open water, competition and still water. The final award of lifesaving is that of Distinction, an award that demands a very high level of skill. The Distinction is awarded on passing three 3 gold awards . Training programmes exist for all ages, from young children to adults. Some lifesaving and lifeguard clubs operate as volunteer organisations, providing safety cover at locations where there would otherwise be none.
The RLSS organises both national and regional speed and skills competitions and many clubs, including university affiliated clubs (organised through the British Universities Lifesaving Clubs Association (BULSCA)) field teams at these events.
Read more about this topic: Royal Life Saving Society UK
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