Royal Life Saving Society UK

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The RLSS Bronze Medallion

The Royal Lifesaving Society UK, also known as Lifesavers, is the governing body for lifesaving and lifeguarding in the United Kingdom. The Royal Lifesaving Society also exists in the Republic of Ireland under the title RLSS Ireland.

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[edit] History

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. It is based in Alcester, Warwickshire.

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

[edit] Lifesaving in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

The RLSS Award of Merit

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 the Republic of Ireland,[1] 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. For a description of the Medallion itself see Bronze Medallion (New Zealand and Australia).[2]

Subsequent awards include the Award of Merit, which is followed by Open Water exams of the Bronze and Silver Crosses. The final award of lifesaving is that of Distinction, an award that demands a very high level of skill from the participant[1]. 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.

To mark the centenary of the Royal Life Saving Society activity in the Republic of Ireland the establishment of the Ireland Medal was introduced in 2004. It is a specially commissioned gold medallion that is awarded annually to those resident in Ireland or those with Irish descent who have the most outstanding aquatic rescue. This award is also in conjunction with the - Irish Lifesaving Foundation[3].

[edit] 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[2].

[edit] Children's Life Saving

Rookie Lifeguard is a programme developed by the RLSS UK to teach children aged 8 to 12 years old the basics in life saving [3]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Welcome to Lifesavers: About". Lifesavers, The Royal Life Saving Society UK. http://www.lifesavers.org.uk/about.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-01. 
  2. ^ "Courses, Awards and Qualifications". Lifesavers, The Royal Life Saving Society UK. http://www.lifesavers.org.uk/courses/lifesaving_openwater_awards.htm. Retrieved 2008-05-01. 
  3. ^ www.lifesavers.org.uk/commonwealth/THE%20IRELAND%20MEDAL%20- %20%20Procedural%20Notes.doc

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Life_Saving_Society_UK"
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