Royal Life Saving Society UK

  The Royal Lifesaving Society UK, also known as Lifesavers, is the governing body for lifesaving and lifeguarding in the United Kingdom. The society was founded in 1891 and has more than 13,000 members in 50 branches and 1,400 active lifesaving and lifeguarding clubs throughout the UK and Ireland. It has had Royal Patronage since 1904. Her Majesty the Queen is the Society's Patron. HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO is the extremely active Commonwealth President of the Society.

Additional recommended knowledge

Daily Visual Balance Check

Weighing the right way

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

The RLSS is part of Royal Lifesaving Society Commonwealth and International Life Saving Federation.

Lifesaving in the UK

Lifesaving and lifeguarding are promoted as a sport and a life skill by the Royal Life Saving Society UK There are over 2000 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 awards, the flagship award being the Bronze Medallion[1].

Subsequent awards include the Award of Merit, which is followed by Open Water exams of the Bronze and Siver Crosses. The final award of lifesaving is that of Distinction, an award that demands a very high level of skill from the participant[2]. 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.

Professional certification

The RLSS offers a range of certificate courses for pool and beach lifeguards. These awards are recognised through out the UK and Ireland and are awarded under the auspices of the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards[3].

See also

• Lifesaving in the UK
• Royal Life Saving Society Australia
• Royal Life Saving Society of Canada