RLSS UK Lifesavers Magazine - October 2024

LIFESAVERS rlss.org.uk | @rlssuk

Issue 121 | Autumn 2024

Together, we can educate everyone to enjoy water safely

coming soon!

BEACH PROGRAMME

In this issue: Child Water Safety in the Home | First Aid Re-launch | Honours 2024

WETSUITS RLSS UK Shop is excited to partner with The Wetsuit Factory (TWF) International to bring you the TWF and Sola range of accessible wetsuits, buoyancy aids, and footwear. Designed to keep everyone safe around water.

Explore our selection now to equip yourself and your loved ones with trusted quality from TWF and Sola, ensuring peace of mind and enjoyment in every splash.

GIFTS AND LIFESTYLE RANGE

shop.rlss.org.uk

Water Safety Partners Red Rescue have launched their new 8’10” Prone Junior Inflatable Rescue Board, designed specifically for young lifesavers. This board is perfect for improving skills on flat water and is now available through RLSS UK Shop!

A note from the President

PRESIDENT’S

COLUMN

with Deborah Hunt

Hello fellow lifesavers, It has been a sad time for the Society as we have said goodbye to our CEO, Robert Gofton.

Robert’s five years with us have been amazing – having guided us through COVID-19, we are now financially stable, the membership continues to grow, and our mission to be a household name is starting to show rewards.

So, on the Trustees’ behalf, a huge thank you, Robert, and the team that supported you.

As I write this, the Board of Trustees is starting the process of interviewing the candidates set to be Robert’s replacement. Exciting times for all of us!

Some of our volunteers and staff have also been invited to assist us in the process, so thank you to them, too.

Join our online lifesaving community, share your stories, read news and keep up-to-date. Search for RLSS UK LIFESAVERS is the magazine of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).

We love to hear all of your news. Please send your news, stories and photographs to marketing@rlss.org.uk RLSS UK is a company Limited by Guarantee. Registered Charity No’s 1046060 and SCO037912.

Congratulations to all those who have received Honours this year. The Honours committee spends many hours making decisions, and this year, the majority of the citations were excellent. Well done, and thank you! When writing citations, it is important to remember we only consider volunteer activity, so please don’t include paid work.

With summer over as we look towards the winter months, our messaging remains as important as ever. Please continue to help spread our message far and wide.

Deborah Hunt President RLSS UK

rlss.org.uk | 0300 323 0096

Designed and produced by the Royal Life Saving Society UK. © RLSS UK 2024 All rights reserved.

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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CONTENTS

Contents

03 06 07 10 12 13 14 16 18 21 22 27

4

President’s Introduction A few words from our Interim CEO News in brief A round-up of RLSS UK news from across the UK and Ireland Elections Meet those who are standing to be your next Trustees Westminster Update Our latest work in government

28 29 30 31

Why I Volunteer Charlotte Oddy talks about her volunteer role with RLSS UK

32

William Henry Award Meet some of our fantastic volunteers who are logging hours towards their William Henry Awards

33

Water Safety in the Home Following the release of our Child Drowning update, learn about our new campaign that’s ‘leaping’ into action!

Drowning Prevention Week Read about the success of 2024’s campaign - with your help, we’ve started our second decade of DPW on a high!

Don’t Drink and Drown Reflecting on September and looking ahead to December Honours Celebrating those who will receive special awards this year EDI panel update An update from our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee

LIFESAVERS //Autumn 2024

34 37 38 39 40

First Aid Re-launch An insight into the re-launch of our first aid qualification Save A Life Series Equipping candidates with the knowledge and skills of basic first aid RLSS UK Qualifications Update An update from the Qualifications and Awards Team Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award An insight into one of RLSS UK’s newest awards Swimming Pool Trends Discover more about what is happening at swimming pools Swimming Pool Technology How Assisted Lifeguard Technology can enhance swimming pool safety Water Safety Partners News about our Water Safety Partners Water Safety Training for Businesses How to pick the correct water safety training for your business Water Safety Training with Wessex Rivers Trust Learn how Wessex Rivers Trust implemented water safety training for all new and existing staff Swimming Pool Consultancy Could RLSS UK consultancy help your swimming pool?

Compliance Advice and support for RLSS UK ATC/ATPs

Contents

43 44 46 48 50 52 53 54

Water Rescue Equipment Register Help us to create the biggest water rescue equipment registry with GoodSAM! Our Lifesaving Clubs Stories from our clubs across the UK and Ireland World Lifesaving Championships 2024 Hear how Lifesaving Team GBR got on when they headed to the Gold Coast Lifesaving Sport Update Save the dates of our exciting upcoming events Everyday Heroes Meet those who have performed incredible rescues Water Smart Schools With an award win up our sleeve, hear from our latest schools to be named Water Smart Activity Page An opportunity for children to get creative whilst learning about winter water safety BULSCA Introducing your new Committee members

55 56 57 58 60 62 63

100 Year Commemorative Award Join us in celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Society’s Royal Charter Make a Splash Sign up for our sponsored distance challenge and raise vital funds to help more people enjoy water safely UK Charity Week Join us as we deck the halls and raise vital funds to help more people enjoy water safely this festive season Fundraising Let’s celebrate our key fundraisers from 2024!

Corporate Partnerships Hear from our new Strategic Partnerships Manager and see how you can get involved RLSS Commonwealth The latest update from the RLSS Commonwealth team RLSS UK Shop Don’t forget that whenever you shop with us, 100% of the profit goes directly towards supporting RLSS UK’s lifesaving vision

FRONT COVER IMAGE: Teaser alert! We’re excited to give you a behind-the-scenes look at this summer’s photoshoot for a NEW Rookie Lifeguard Beach Award which is due to launch soon. Watch this space!

Thank you for Newton Lifeguard Club and Rest Bay Surf Lifesaving Club for your help on the photoshoot.

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Contents

Jo Talbot, RLSS UK Interim CEO This is a quick hello from me as I stand in as Interim CEO for a few months while we wait to welcome our new CEO later in the year. For those of you who don’t know me, I’ve been with RLSS UK working within the Commercial team since 2015, and I am proud to say I started my career as a pool lifeguard when I was 16 #IStartedAsALifeguard.

We should all be proud of the journey that RLSS UK and the amazing Clubs, Training Centres, Trainers, Instructors and volunteers provide. I was reminded of this recently when I met three young lifeguards at a leisure centre in Weston-Super-Mare; they proudly explained their journey from swimming lessons to Rookie Lifeguards, moving on to Survive & Save and Assistant Instructors before becoming pool lifeguards with National Pool Lifeguard Qualifications – now Rookie Lifeguard Instructors teaching the next generation. I was in awe of their commitment and passion for water safety education.

Following Robert’s departure, it’s very much business as usual here, and the summer months have been filled with so much lifesaving activity, water safety education and training. The team has been busy visiting lifesaving clubs, swimming pools, open water venues and beaches, including 45 aqua parks that applied for RLSS UK Approved Aqua Park status. Planning for 2025 is very much underway – it’s going to be an exciting year with the RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships coming to Wales for the first time.

Well done and thank you to the athletes who represented GBR at the Lifesaving World Championships this summer. The teams all did us proud with some incredible performances during their time on the Gold Coast. Special congratulations to everyone who brought home a medal, a record or even a PB! Meanwhile, back on UK soil, we’re looking forward to seeing lifesavers bring their A-Game at Nationals next month. If you’re coming along to compete, don’t forget to stay on for SERC! For anyone like me who hasn’t been involved with competitive lifesaving, it’s great fun and amazing to watch. Why not give it a try or come to an event to see what’s it all about?

We are proud to have recently released a Child Drowning Update for 2024, which follows our groundbreaking National Drowning Report from 2023. On pages 16-17, we bring you our key findings along with an introduction to our brand new campaign which aims to educate families about water safety in the home and ultimately, reduce the number of young lives lost.

Lastly, we are thrilled to have been recognised by the Midlands Education Awards, where RLSS UK received an award for our exceptional Water Smart Schools programme, a fantastic inclusive and impactful initiative that means more children are taught and understand about water safety. We have also been recognised as a finalist for Education Provider of the Year for the ukactive awards, for the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Gen 10 and its impact on swimming pool safety.

Jo Talbot

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

NEWS in brief

News in brief

10 Years of Open Water Rescue!

Join us as we celebrate Open Water Rescue and its commitment to keeping people safe as this year sees the team mark its 10-year anniversary!

Founded in 2013, Open Water Rescue (OWR) is an RLSS UK club and lifeguard unit based in the Greater Glasgow region. Prevalent in Scotland, the organisation has been known to aid many local organisations – from the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service to Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance and Scottish Water.

OWR also delivers important event safety advice to Sports Governing Bodies and private sports companies, including water sports and community-based events on waterways across Scotland – advising on best practice for events near water, as well as volunteers who help keep everyone safe.

Let’s raise a glass to the dedicated team at Open Water Rescue – here’s to the next decade!

Beach Day at Sandbanks Beach, Poole Every year, the team at Wessex Branch comes together to organise a Beach Day for its clubs – and this year was no exception!

The event sees clubs from Worcester & Hereford Branch spend a weekend in Dorset to complete various beach awards, including the National Lifesaving Academy (NLA) awards.

from each club working together and sharing best practice.

Not letting the brief downpour of rain dampen their spirits, after lunchtime, play resumed and everyone was able to finish off their awards and training – followed by an afternoon using kayaks, rescue boards and experiencing short trips in RLSS Poole’s rescue boat.

The day was a great success and we can’t wait to see what next year’s event brings – life’s a beach!

Organised by Wessex Branch with RLSS Poole Lifeguards as the host club, the two branches met at Sandbanks Beach and were joined by members from Gosport & Fareham Inshore Rescue, RLSS Boscombe Lifeguard Club, South Worcester Lifeguard Club, and Redditch Lifesaving Club.

The day began with the kids’ familiarisation of the beach and a mini competition of beach flags, as well as some healthy competition seeing a budding competitive rivalry between the teams. The main aim of the day was to be assessed for the Bronze Star (Beach) awards, or to have the opportunity to do some additional training to improve skills – with the trainers LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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News in brief

Take a Dip Outdoors and Stay Safe!

Experts from the University of Portsmouth’s Extreme Environments Laboratory (EEL) group have shared important advice and guidance around open water swimming safety.

Working alongside the University of Portsmouth’s EEL, RLSS UK has been able to share updated top recommendations for safer open water swimming – reminding people of the risks of open water swimming to ensure people have the tools to stay safe while enjoying taking a dip outdoors.

distribute lifesaving information to those who end up in cold water. It has been a pleasure to contribute to this important publication by RLSS UK that is released at the most dangerous time of year for drownings. I am sure the guidance will inform and educate, and thereby promote drowning prevention and save lives.”

Robert Gofton, former CEO of RLSS UK, represented the charity on the project and said: “As open water swimming becomes increasingly popular in all weathers, we’re pleased to have partnered with the University of Portsmouth and released new updated swimming water guidance to ensure people are aware of what they need to take into account before they get in, and when they are in the water.

“From beginners to well versed swimmers, this newly released open water swimming guidance is invaluable for anyone looking to enjoy open water sites across the UK, providing them with the tools to stay safe while enjoying all the benefits that come with this activity.”

The University’s Extreme Environments Laboratory (EEL) has paved the way for critical enhancements in international water safety. Co-Founder of the University’s EEL, Professor Mike Tipton MBE, said: “The Extreme Environments Laboratory at Portsmouth University works to generate and openly

Get Active! Be Well, in Tower Hamlets In Tower Hamlets, the council is investing in its leisure offer to help promote healthier communities and encourage active lifestyles.

Seeking to address inequalities such as poor health conditions including obesity among residents in the borough, the launch of the new free-swimming programme forms part of an initiative to combat these health concerns. As part of this initiative, Be Well launched free swimming for women and girls aged 16 and over, and men aged 55 and over, from 15 July 2024.

Joining the event to launch this new scheme, Ali Noyce from Swim England and Matt Croxall, Interim Charity Director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK – the borough’s new swimming partners – attended to speak about the benefits of swimming and the importance of water safety.

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

News in brief

Olive Atkinson, MBE: 10 December 1925 – 25 May 2024 Born on 10 December 1925, Olive Atkinson lived to the age of 98. Over the course of her life, Olive travelled the world and helped countless people in trouble.

The daughter of seaman, William Surtees, of the famous Bessie Surtees family, it was no wonder Olive had a love for the water. At the age of 12, Olive began competing in lifesaving and swimming competitions – where she fell in love with the sports, going on to spend most of her life either competing or training thousands of others at the highest level of the competition.

To name just a few of Olive’s achievements during her life, she was awarded The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 for her work, presented by the Queen. In 1985, Olive received The British Sports Council Service to Sport Award in 1985, as well as The Wilkinson Sword Award for Services to sport and lifesaving in 1985. In 1995, Olive was awarded an MBE by Her Majesty for her continued voluntary service for the awarding bodies.

The water defined Olive’s marriage and life in many other ways too – meeting her water polo player husband to be, George Atkinson, and tying the knot in 1947. The pair were a great match and highly competitive, soon becoming a family as they welcomed their daughter, Barbara, on 6 February 1948.

A natural born leader, Olive was a swimming teacher across her whole career. Recognised once more for her excellence, Olive became a Principal Tutor for the Amateur Swimming Association, as well as being appointed to the management committee for the Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches.

Olive’s commitment to training people to save lives led to her schooling cohort after cohort of champions for over 50 plus years. Soon recognised as a star, she was promoted to the Royal Life Saving Society UK’s National Executive Board and was a leading member for decades. Olive also took on the role of Vice Chairman of the RLSS UK National Competitions Committee – which saw her oversee thousands of competitions.

Just Keep Swimming! Channel Relay Swim alongside Harriet Westcott, Katie Howe Browne and Martin Bourke, completed an incredible 32km during a Channel relay swim – which took a whopping 12 hours and 49 minutes in total.

On Wednesday 17 July at 6:25am, our very own Club Development Executive for Ireland, Alan McCormack, took to the water to begin quite the journey – from Dover to Chatelet beach in Tardinghen, France. Looking to undertake the challenge of a lifetime and tick one off the bucket list, Alan,

Speaking to his fantastic and unique achievement, Alan said: “After setting off from Dover at the crack of dawn, we arrived at Chatelet beach in France over 12 hours later – after a glorious day at sea with the sun shining, lovely calm waters and tides along the way. It was a lifelong ambition of mine to swim across the English Channel and the adventure certainly didn’t disappoint. To do it with the other three members of the team as a relay made it all the more enjoyable.”

A massive congratulations to Alan and his team for the achievement of a lifetime.

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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VOTE Elections

for your new Trustees.

DAVID BULLEN

from South Shields

We are delighted to share with you details of who is standing for election this year. Two vacancies for Trustees could be filled by the four candidates below – let’s meet them!

David has been involved in lifesaving and lifeguarding for over 30 years and has a passion for lifesaving and water safety. He is currently a Local Authority Strategic Leader for a large swimming and water safety programme, has a Masters in Strategic Leadership and Management and is a member of the Chartered Management Institute at Strategic Leader Level.

Previously, he has held coaching roles, been a pool lifeguard, a senior beach lifeguard, and a trainer assessor in lifeguarding and first aid. David has been a member of the Coordinating Group during the Regional Pilot Project and works with clubs and volunteers, and wider water safety and swimming partnerships.

Sheena has over 50 years’ membership of the society, from participant to lifesaving mentor. She chairs her local lifesaving club and has worked on branch/regional committees.

SHEENA HARPER

from Penicuik

Until last year, she was coordinating lead of the pilot group, investigating ways for volunteers to deliver the society’s strategic aims. As Presidential Ambassador, she supports our President establishing relationships between headquarters and volunteers. Sheena also led the development of ‘Don’t Drink and Drown’ as a volunteer project group.

As an International Lifesaving Sport Official, Sheena understands the importance of sport to bring members together for competition and lifesaving practice. Having an acquired disability, she champions wider inclusion for participation within our lifesaving community.

KIT OWEN-SMITH

from Rotherham

Kit’s passion for preventing drownings stems from his own near-drowning experience as a toddler. While at University, he competed in BULSCA, the university lifesaving league. Kit has worked as a lifeguard and teacher, establishing two after-school lifesaving clubs. He volunteers for Nottingham University Lifesaving Club, as an RLSS UK judge, RLSS UK timekeeper, and an RNLI Water Safety Advisor. He is starting a lifesaving club at Wolverhampton University and plans to get a PhD researching the history of UK lifesaving.

Kit offers extensive charity leadership experience at a management level and has an award-winning fundraiser. After six years as a charity chair, he provides valuable insights into charity governance.

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Elections

FAY TENNET

Fay is an open water swimmer, OWL TA, swimming teacher and is passionate about volunteering, particularly in open water.

from Northamptonshire

Popularity of open water swimming, triathlon and aqua-parks are growing, increasing the need for Open Water Lifeguards and TAs. Fay wants to support RLSS UK to develop systems and training to meet these needs.

For several years she has co-ordinated the volunteer lifeguard team for the Great North Swim – the largest open water swim event in the UK. Professionally, she has developed strategic skills, building and leading diverse teams across public service and volunteer environments. She has also undertaken senior leadership roles for more than 10 years, sitting on strategic boards.

Full details about the elections with resolutions, candidate profiles and AGM are available at: www.rlss.org.uk/elections2024

Annual General Meeting 2024 On Saturday 19 October 2024, at 10:30am – 11:30am, RLSS UK will hold its AGM at Coombe Abbey, Coventry, prior to the Honours 2024 Ceremony. This provides us with a chance to share with members our 2023 achievements and announce voting results.

Results on the below resolutions will be covered:

1.

To receive and approve the minutes of the last Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 28 October 2023 at Coombe Abbey, Coventry.

2. To receive the Trustee Board’s Report and Accounts

for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023.

3. To appoint RSM UK Audit LLP as the auditors for RLSS UK for 2024.

4. To authorise the Trustees to set the level of the auditor’s fees for 2024.

5. To receive the results of the Trustee election.

Further details about attendance are on our website

For those wishing to attend in person, no booking is required. A virtual format will also be available to allow access for all members and observers who cannot attend in person – members must register to attend the virtual event to join.

General queries regarding the AGM should be directed to elections@rlss.org.uk Voting opens on Thursday 3 October and closes on Thursday 17 October at 5pm.

Please look out for your voting details, they will be shared by UK Engage (our independent election provider) via the email address no-reply@ukevote.uk.

Before chasing your voting email, please ensure your membership is in date and check your junk/spam folders. Please direct any queries to elections@rlss.org.uk Your vote makes a big difference. By casting your vote, you can help us to appoint a Board of Trustees which will create a diverse membership and represent you across the charity.

HAVE YOUR SAY! LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Westminster Update

Westminster

Update

I

n Westminster, the RLSS UK team has been lobbying Members of Parliament to introduce new legislation that includes water safety in the National Curriculum. The team had planned a formal breakfast event and a practise water safety lesson directly inside Parliament. All was on track…until Rishi Sunak called the 2024 General Election for the 4 July! This meant that Parliament had to pause all activities until the new Members would be sworn in. Our events were cancelled, but our relationship with MPs was not – especially thanks to our Patron Lord Storey.

The team kept a close eye on all moving constituencies throughout the campaign and election period to assess which politicians were at risk of leaving and who had a chance of being appointed to ministerial positions. As the new Parliament settles in and new elected Members learn their ways around the building, the lobbying work will carry on. New relationships will be established, and the new event planning will begin towards Drowning Prevention Week 2025!

In the meantime, we began strengthening our relationship with members of the Senedd Cymru. As you may know, next year RLSS UK is hosting the Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships in Wales, so we are seeking institutional support from the local government and to create some opportunities for engagement. Whilst it is not as easy, with leaders changing in Wales too, the relationship is moving forwards and soon we will have updates on this front.

Despite the general election, activities in Westminster never come to a halt!

10K Fun!

This summer saw Paolo Romanengo, our Intern in Westminster, take on the Saucony London 10K race – as he took in the sights of the capital city en route!

With live bands, DJs and cheering fans motivating the runners along the way, the route saw Paolo run along the sights the city had to offer – from Westminster Bridge, the London Eye and Regent Street, to the likes of Piccadilly Circus and Big Ben, just to name a few.

Perfect for beginners or seasoned pros chasing a new personal best, this event saw Paolo and his friend, Paolo Covini, complete the 10K and manage to hit their personal targets. With 18,000 people running, Paolo said how exciting the run was – along with a beautiful route and weather to make it that much more fun.

Commenting on the run, Paolo, said: “Paolo and Paolo took the street! After a full year campaigning for water safety in Westminster, embracing this sports challenge with a lifelong friend, and running right under the office was really special and real fun. I was motivated to give my all to RLSS UK’s mission, beyond the professional world, and Sunday was the perfect opportunity for that. Even the speaker at the start line picked up the cause!

“I hope many more will join the team next year – this should become a tradition!”

Paolo’s accomplishment is a testament to his dedication and hard work, reflecting the spirit of perseverance that RLSS UK strives to instil in all its members – a big well done from the team, Paolo!

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Why I Volunteer

WHY I

VOLUNTEER

Give it up for one of our star lifesavers who received a Youth Citizen Award!

C H A R LOT T E O D DY

O

ne of our excellent young star volunteers, 16-year-old Charlotte Oddy has been recognised for her fantastic volunteering efforts and been awarded a Youth Citizen Award from Gosport Borough Council!

With most of Charlotte’s family being a part of Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS), it was no wonder she became involved with RLSS UK so quickly! Attending her first RLSS UK competition before she was even one year old, Charlotte grew up with lifesaving – sitting on the sidelines until she was old enough to start her Rookie Awards.

From becoming a Rookie Lifeguard when she was eight, Charlotte began her lifesaving competition journey as soon as she turned 12, where she entered the National Lifesaving Championships, representing the South. Joining the GAFIRS as she turned 14, Charlotte has continued the lifesaving awards and competitions since – including entering Speeds which was quite the challenge!

Commenting on her achievements at RLSS UK, Charlotte said: “I have naturally followed my family in volunteering; I have enjoyed giving back to my community in supporting community talks with GAFIRS. I have also been involved in teaching the Rookie group and I have used these hours to count towards my Duke of Edinburgh award for both Bronze and Silver level and I hope to continue this as I enrol on my Gold as soon as I turn 16 at the end of the summer.

“I was delighted earlier this year to be awarded the Gosport Youth Citizen award by the Mayor and the nomination from GAFIRS highlighted the number of voluntary hours I had undertaken in 2023 – which was 160 hours, being made up of 37 events and 22 training exercises.

This was only my GAFIRS hours, but I also volunteered at the RLSS UK Speeds Championships with the equipment team. The Mayor was also pleased to hear I was part of the GAFIRS New Year’s Day cover and I hope I continue this in 2025 when he will be entering The Solent.

“In the future, I would like to continue my voluntary work with GAFIRS and move on to complete my RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, as I am sure this will bring me many work opportunities.”

Through my volunteering with RLSS UK, I have seen that I would have many opportunities, and also be able to continue my lifesaving in a few years as I move to university by either joining BULSCA or another local club, as I have already made friendships across the country within the lifesaving community.

Keen to join our team of fantastic volunteers? Learn more here www.rlss.org.uk/volunteer LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Willian Henry Award

WILLIAM HENRY

AWARD Our William Henry Award is designed to reward the dedication of our exceptional volunteers who are raising awareness of RLSS UK, teaching water safety and making a positive impact in their communities.

Incredibly, more than 9,000 hours have been logged so far during 2024!

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has given up their free time and volunteered with us – your commitment to promoting water safety is very much appreciated.

Read on as we celebrate just a handful of remarkable tales from our volunteers over the past six months...  GEORGIA PERRIN regularly volunteers as an open water lifeguard at Willen Lake, in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, providing lifeguard services across several open water swim sessions.

 PAMELA SHARP lead both Rookie Lifeguard and senior sessions at the beach and pool. She also delivered four water safety assemblies at Ridgeway Primary Academy in South Shields, engaging students from nursery to Key Stage 2 with presentation flashcards and mascots.

 Not only did DAVID SLADE teach at Littlehampton Wave Life Saving Club and participate in committee meetings at Horsham Life Saving Club; he also engaged in community events such as the East Preston Charity Market, Littlehampton Armed Forces Day and coordinated mayoral visits – just to name a few of his activities!

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

William Henry award

If you have not yet begun logging your volunteering hours for the William Henry Award and would like to, getting involved is super straightforward. All you need is an RLSS UK Account. You can create an account online and it is completely free – no membership required!

To start submitting your volunteer hours, simply log in to your account and navigate to the ‘My Details’ tab, where you will find a link to the ‘William Henry Award’ section. Here you will find the form to fill out, detailing your time spent volunteering.  TERRY DRAYCOTT delivered Save a Baby’s Life (SABL) courses to fathers and grandfathers at Chilwell Children’s Centre, in Beeston, providing CPR demonstrations and raising awareness of RLSS UK within the local community.  NATASHA MCLOUGHLIN delivered cold-water swimming inductions, served as a lifeguard and commuter member at her local lido, and provided expert advice on cold water swimming, lifeguard training and pool plant operations.  DAVID FIELDING contributed to training sessions for Bristol and Keynsham Life Saving Clubs. Notably, Keynsham LSC ran a wound simulation session, teaching how to apply a dressing. Gruesome!

We encourage you to provide as much detail as possible and include photos, allowing us to showcase your efforts and inspire others to join our volunteering community.

Awards are given for the following milestones: Hours

Award

25

Certificate

50

Certificate + Blue Milestone Pin Badge

100

Certificate + Red Milestone Pin Badge

250

Certificate + Yellow Milestone Pin Badge

500

Certificate + Bronze Milestone Pin Badge

750

Certificate + Silver Milestone Pin Badge

1000

Certificate + Gold Milestone Pin Badge

Since the scheme relaunched in January 2023, over 130 of our amazing volunteers have already achieved milestones and received their awards so congratulations to you all!

William Henry Volunteering

If you’d like to find out more about the William Henry Award or volunteering for RLSS UK, please visit our website. www.rlss.org.uk LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Drowning Prevention Week 2024

SCAN to download full report

NEW water safety in the home campaign

leaping into action!

F

ollowing on from our inaugural National Drowning Report (July 2023), RLSS UK has released a Child Drowning Update for 2024, as part of our Expert Lens Series. The new report, which is available to download from our website, highlights evidence from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) which shows that the number of child drowning deaths in England has doubled over the last four years.

No child should drown. In order to raise awareness and ultimately reduce the number of young lives lost, we believe that it is vital to understand the factors contributing to child drownings.

Our Headline Findings

The number of child drowning deaths has doubled.

There were 125 child drowning deaths in England across the last four years.

2 in 5 16

children that drowned were aged under 5 years.

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

On average, at least

1 child

a month drowned at home.

Water Safety at Home

2 in 3 children that drowned at home, did so in the bath.

This totalled 35 deaths in four years.

86%

of child drownings occurred when the child was unsupervised by an adult.

70%

of infants that drowned in the bath were using a bath seat.

Introducing...

Splash Safety at your Pad! The tragic findings from this new report emphasise the importance of competent adult supervision, as well as a renewed focus on how to stay safe when in and around water at home.

We are therefore pleased to introduce our latest campaign which will aim to communicate this with families across the UK and Ireland in a fun and engaging way; Splash Safety at your Pad! Aimed predominantly at parents and guardians of children aged under five, we will use our Splash Safety at your Pad campaign to share our expert water safety advice for the bath, paddling pools, ponds and multiple other home-based scenarios. Children can drown in as little as 2cm of water.

Please look out for the campaign which launches on our website and across our social media channels throughout October.

Make sure your froglets can’t hop into harm!

SCAN to find out more!

H O W C A N I G E T I N VO LV E D? •

Hop onto the website and follow our guidance to keep your family safe.

•

Re-croak our campaign messages on social media.

•

Ribbit to friends and family about the importance of water safety in the home.

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Drowning Prevention Week 2024

Entering our Second Decade of

DROWNING PREVENTION WEEK

15 – 22 June 2024

2023 marked RLSS UK’s tenth year of Drowning Prevention Week (DPW) – so for 2024, we set our intentions to enter our second decade of DPW on a high!

1.25 million+ children

W

e kicked off the campaign early with a colouring-in competition which showcased our new designs and offered children the chance to win one of 100 limited-edition pin badges. ‘Colour in to Win’ was a great success and helped us to engage with families and youth groups ahead of Drowning Prevention Week, so thank you to everyone who took part – we loved seeing your pictures!

On social media, we asked for your help to share the Water Safety Code with as many people as possible – and you certainly delivered! Our launch post was shared 1,463 times on Facebook alone, underpinning the whole campaign.

Across the week, shares, likes and comments on social media increased by over 80%.

By sharing and reacting to our posts, you enabled us to reach new audiences that may not have otherwise known the importance of water safety, so thank you.

For Joe and Sunnah On behalf of everyone at RLSS UK, we’d like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Ness Abbess and Steph Williams who collaborated with us to bravely tell the stories of the day they tragically lost their children, 17-yearold Joe and 12-year-old Sunnah, to drowning. The video shows the devastating impact of drowning and has been watched nearly 80,000 times since its launch during DPW.

Thank you both.

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Watch it HERE

DID YOU SPOT...

Social media content from influencers, including: The Reluctant Explorers, Coleen Mensa and Emily Steele (aka Gladiators’ ‘Dynamite’!)

u o y k n a h T

Drowning Prevention Week 2024

A

rguably one of the biggest highlights of a fantastic Drowning Prevention Week 2024 was the unprecedented response from you – our valued clubs, branches, volunteers and partners. We were blown away by the quality and quantity of content you shared with us. We know many of you were also out and about hosting events and speaking to members of the public during the week, as well as fundraising. We are forever grateful to you all for consistently supporting DPW each year.

We also saw a fantastic level of engagement within schools this year with children in primary, secondary and SEND settings learning about water safety – and our resources helped educate approximately 475,000+ children in schools.

Not only this but the leisure sector amplified its support and we saw so many incredible sessions taking place within leisure centres, educating around 780,000+ children – amazing! We would like to say a huge thank you to every one of you for making such a difference.

DID YOU KNOW? Drowning Prevention Week 2024 was featured in 275 news articles and broadcasts including BBC, ITV and Sky!

Special shout outs go to all our leisure operator partners, including SERCO, Freedom Leisure, Fusion Lifestyle, GLL, Parkwood and Everyone Active, and Trainer Assessors who supported Drowning Prevention Week this year, too!

Case Studies

SERCO Leisure

Welwyn Garden Swimming Club

Stuart Clewlow, RLSS UK Instructor for the Welwyn Garden Swimming Club, headed up a special ‘Sunday Session’ for DPW. The team invited all club members to bring a friend to Hatfield Swim Centre to learn more about performing CPR, using a defibrillator, and lifesaving techniques such as floating, shout and signal, and throw bag rescues. The event was a great success with everyone getting stuck in and learning something new – well done!

During DPW, Serco Leisure delivered the Drowning Prevention Week message to over 70,000 children through swimming lessons, school swimming and visits to their local communities. Their success lay in ensuring swim teachers had all the RLSS UK resources they needed to deliver effective lessons that were on message, fun and engaging!

The amazing site teams took these resources and brought them to life, making them relevant to their local area be that Birmingham and Bolton, Bangor or Jersey! Congratulations on a successful campaign!

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Drowning Prevention Week 2024

Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service Some of the HQ team joined forces with Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (HWFRS) to host a drowning prevention awareness event for local schoolchildren aged eight to 10-years-old. The day consisted of two live rescue demonstrations along the River Severn in Worcester, teaching the children how to identify dangers in the water and the all-important Water Safety Code. The children tried their hand at reach pole rescues, rope throws and practised the star floating position (on dry land)!

Thank you to HWFRS and Pitmaston Primary School – we can’t wait to work together again!

k n a h T you We want to say a huge thank you for once again supporting Drowning Prevention Week and for ensuring even more families and young people have the knowledge they need to stay safe in and around water.

Remember, water safety education never stops and it’s time to get planning for 2025...

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Don’t Drink and Drown

TEN YEARS OF

Don’t Drink and Drown This year marked a decade since the initial launch of our Don’t Drink and Drown campaign, following a series of tragic and high-profile student drownings in the UK in 2014.

On average, 73 people lose their lives each year through a substance-related drowning – the equivalent of more than a quarter (29%) of UK accidental drowning fatalities.

Don’t Drink and Drown is all about encouraging smart decision-making after drinking and considering being on, in or around water. The campaign targets individuals to urge them to be responsible for their friends if they have had too much to drink, and the campaign educates people on what to do and how to help friends return home safely after a night out.

Each year, seeking to raise awareness and prevent more tragic drownings from taking place, the RLSS UK team, partners, and volunteers, hold informative activities and events in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. Special focus is placed on areas with a particularly high number of alcohol-related drownings – in a bid to make a real difference.

September’s

campaign

With help from our army of volunteers and partners, universities, bars and clubs around the UK and Ireland, we provided water safety advice to students and encouraged them to #BeAMate as they began their university journey.

We saw some fantastic work on the ground at events as well as online, sharing our vital messages and we want to thank everyone who participated.

However, the work does not stop there...

As we find ourselves in autumn and cold nights fast approaching, we look ahead to December which will see our second Don’t Drink and Drown campaign launch with a bang - and a new video is in the pipeline!

We are already planning to deliver an impactful December Don’t Drink and Drown campaign for you all – and none of this would be possible without each of our partners and volunteers, as we come together to ensure that everyone can enjoy the festivities safely this Christmas period.

www.rlss.org.uk/dont-drink-and-drown LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Honours 2024

NATIONAL PRESENTATION of

2024

Saturday 19 October 2024 | Coombe Abbey

This month, on 19 October, we will be celebrating Royal Life Saving Society UK’s annual Honours Ceremony and we cannot wait to welcome all of our fantastic award winners and their guests to Coombe Abbey in Coventry.

Service Honours can be awarded to individual members of RLSS UK or members of affiliated clubs/organisations or ATCs, for years of continuous voluntary service to the society.

Those who are set to receive Honours in 2024 include: RLSS UK Service Honour

RLSS UK Service Honour

UK LONG SERVICE MEDAL - 50 YEARS’ SERVICE

RECOGNITION OF SERVICE - 40 YEARS’ SERVICE

RLSS UK Service Honour

RLSS UK Service Honour

RLSS UK HONORARY UK LIFE MEMBER - 35 YEARS’ SERVICE

2ND BAR TO SERVICE CROSS - 30 YEARS’ SERVICE

Our highest recognition awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 50 years’ service or more

Awarded to recognise those individuals who have volunteered for 40 years’ service or more

Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 35 years’ service or more

Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 30 years’ service or more

Lincolnshire Janine Graham

East Wales Timothy Kretschmer

Derbyshire Jeremy Johnson

Essex Terence Fisher

Nottinghamshire Terry Draycott

Kent Dain Lewis

Essex Duncan Galbraith

Hertfordshire Adam Stout

Sussex Gary Lee

Sussex Dean Baker

Ireland John Doyle

Wessex John Lee

Wessex Clive Holland

Ireland Anna O’Shea Mary Wall Patrick O’Shea

West Wales Aled Bowen

Nottinghamshire Terry Draycott Wessex Cyrus Daruvalla

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Nottinghamshire Ian Osborne Scottish Northern Helen Clark Scotland West Craig Murray

Honours 2024

2nd Bar to Service Cross 30 years’ service (Continued)

Thames Valley Gerald Gibson

Shropshire Steve Carter

Wessex David Terry

Somerset Vernon Bartlett

Worcestershire and Herefordshire Adrian Whittington

Wessex Stephen Overall West Wales Maldwyn Jones Worcestershire and Herefordshire Jane Hanson Valerie Wilson RLSS UK Service Honour

1ST BAR TO SERVICE CROSS - 25 YEARS’ SERVICE

Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 25 years’ service or more Ireland Barbara Nolan Nottinghamshire David Morton

RLSS UK Service Honour

SERVICE CROSS 20 YEARS’ SERVICE

Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 20 years’ service or more Bradford and Airedale Andrew Schofield Martin Clark Derbyshire James Robinson Essex Simon Parker Hertfordshire Chantal Ellis Darren Foreman Tanya Bartram Thomas Ross

Kent Adam Payne Emma Fishman

Liverpool and District Christine Dennel David Williams

Scotland West Antony Coia

North and West Yorkshire Matthew Jagger

Thames Valley Gerald Gibson

Northumberland and Durham Gavin Little George Lee

Wessex Jonathan Last Melanie Yates Worcestershire and Herefordshire Natasha Lane RLSS UK Service Honour

BAR TO SERVICE MEDAL - 16 YEARS’ SERVICE Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 16 years’ service or more Derbyshire Terrence Fox Kent Andrew Hunt

Scottish Eastern Shaunna Anderson Somerset Alan Sutherland Sussex Robin Akers Thames Valley Laura Sammon Marcus Victory Wessex Julia Jarvis Michael Hughes Worcestershire and Herefordshire Rhian Hughes

Lincolnshire Michael Kirkham LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Honours 2024

RLSS UK Service Honour

SERVICE MEDAL - 12 YEARS’ SERVICE

Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for 12 years’ service or more Derbyshire Adam Wright Calum Briggs Jennie Lockwood Kent Posthumously awarded to: Faye Burnap Liverpool and District Christine Dennel David Williams Manchester and District David Roberts Northumberland and Durham Jamie Coe Samantha Carpenter Scottish Northern Murray Robb Sussex Elish Edwards Thames Valley Bhavik Barochia Laura Sammon Marcus Victory Wessex Lara Moore Worcestershire and Herefordshire Katie Holmes Rhian Hughes

RLSS UK Service Honour

CERTIFICATE OF THANKS Awarded to those individuals who have volunteered for four and eight years’ service (more than one may be awarded) Avon and North Wiltshire Annabel Cruse Derbyshire Caroline Watson Christopher Screeton Emma Stevenson Freddie Postlethwaite Karen Clark Kathryn Blake Kenley Massey Lauren Voce Luke Waterfall Michael Waterfall Pamela Barrowcliffe Paul Postlethwaite Philip Saxton Rachel Healey Richard Hallam Ruth Hallam Ruth Screeton Samantha Saxton Devon Alice Nuttall Essex Harrison Doyle Jane Blacklock Norman Jays Troy Lemmon Hertfordshire Joanna Priestnall Victoria Hewitt Ireland Alannah Elliott Muireann Burns Kent Emma Sawyer Liverpool and District Cameron Douglas Paul Douglas Stuart Morris Tanya Beech Manchester and District Caroline Hardy

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North and West Yorkshire Ian Eastwood Northumberland and Durham Aimee Boneva Charlotte Richardson Jayne Best Joanne Chandler Jordan Hilliard Karen Murray Katelyn Willshire Kayleigh Dodd Lauren Gordon Mark Mowbray Nottinghamshire Benjamin Tomlinson Hayley Turner Julie Matthews Mercedes Franey-Gardiner Susan Rider Theresa Tomlinson Scottish Eastern Kier Finlay Scottish Northern Sarah Clark Scotland West Clark MacSephney Elizabeth Gray Kirsten Barnett

Thames Valley Madeleine Rose Nick Handley Wessex Andrew Barber Charlotte Kelly Clare Wright Daniel Hill Holly Cameron James Baggott Julie Collins Maisie Rafferty Matthew Knight Megan Knight Owen Sargant Worcestershire and Herefordshire Heather Gow RLSS UK Merit Honour

YOUNG LIFESAVER OF THE YEAR

The society continues to recognise the work of our younger members (14-24) and each branch has been asked to nominate one young person from within its own area to receive the award Avon and North Wiltshire Ewan Keast

Somerset Andrew Marsh

Bradford and Airedale Edward Christie

South Yorkshire Craig Stables David McCann Gavin King Jacob Toller James Yardy Mark Toller Nichola Dye Teresa Hubery Tracy Hyland Wayne Hubery

Derbyshire Freddie Postlethwaite

Staffordshire Chris Carnegie Julie Tolley Sussex Amaia Lopez Paula Schofield Thomas Baker Tom Ralph

East Wales Jacob Mills Hertfordshire Charlotte Nash Hull and North East Yorkshire Tyler Cooper Hirons Kent Jasmine Burnap Mid Yorkshire Ella Muncaster North and West Yorkshire Tara Karim

Honours 2024

Young Lifesaver of the Year (Continued) Northumberland and Durham Holly Taberner Nottinghamshire Abigail Corrance Scottish Eastern Fraser Bruce Scotland West Kirsten Barnett Somerset Eleanor Woollven Sussex Amaia Lopez Warwickshire Glafki-Maria Schellekens Wessex Aaron Russell-Wilson West Wales Jayden Hutchison

Kent Cameron Mundy Caroline Holder Joanne Willson Martin Fossey Michelle Childs Norman Leach Stephen Goldsmith

Oliver Ashby Roy Tivey Sonya Flello Sophie White

Liverpool and District Anna Beech Cameron Douglas Christine Dennel Paul Douglas Stuart Morris Tanya Beech

South Yorkshire Alison Leone Amie Ledger Annette Parker Barbara Smith Carol Bell Cathy Murray Charlotte Curran-Nettleship Christine Booth Clare Smith Craig Schofield Emily Rodgers George Toller Janice Curran John Skipper Laura Housley Marie Whyke Phillip Whitlam Rachel Chambers Simon Marriott

North and West Yorkshire Ian Eastwood Jacob Lee Northumberland and Durham Gavin Little Holly Taberner Ian Robson Jayne Best Karen Murray Katelyn Willshire Kayleigh Dodd Mark Mowbray Rachel Carroll

RLSS UK Merit Honour

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT Awarded for Meritorious Contribution at club or branch level. May be awarded more than once but with an interval of at least two years between awards.

Derbyshire Emma Stevenson Hilary Torr Katherine Gartside Kenley Massey Lauren Voce Matthew Kenworthy Philip Saxton Samantha Saxton Devon Ella Cousins Hannah Blease Rowan Munk East Wales Abigail Lewis

Nottinghamshire Benjamin Lang Chris Brookes James Bloor Mia Solomons-Green Verity Wilson Scottish Eastern Ben Witz Kier Finlay Scottish Northern Sarah Clark Scotland West Elizabeth Gray Kirsty Kennedy Shropshire Aaron Carter Abi Thompson Celeste Yap Jack Stevens James Potter Maya Griffiths

Somerset Andrew Marsh Elliot Beckingham

Sussex Jack Bristow Olivia Kidd Paula Schofield Tassia Wormald Thames Valley Finley Easton Hannah Evans Madeleine Rose Warwickshire Noah Hollowell Wessex Charlotte Kelly David Gale Jennifer Penny West Wales Jayden Hutchison

RLSS UK Merit Honour

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

Awarded for continuing contribution at club or branch level. May be awarded more than once and nominee would have normally received at least one Certificate of Merit with an interval of at least two years between awards.

Cornwall Zoe Stevens Derbyshire Adam Wright James Robinson Devon Sally Nuttall Kent Cameron Mundy Julie Bardoe Sally Robinson Liverpool and District Cameron Douglas Christine Dennel David Williams Paul Douglas Tanya Beech North and West Yorkshire Matthew Jagger Northumberland and Durham Jamie Coe Joanne Chandler Lauren Gordon Shropshire Gemma Price Susan Carter West Wales Ashleigh Lewis Maldwyn Jones William Bowen

Worcestershire and Herefordshire Cathryn Sellers Johnathan Moran

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Honours 2024

RLSS UK Merit Honour

RLSS UK Merit Honour

RLSS UK Merit Honour

MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

BAR(S) TO MEDAL OF DISTINCTION

UK HONORARY LIFE GOVERNOR

Awarded for outstanding contribution at club, branch or regional level or notable contribution at national level. The nominee would normally have received one or more Certificate of Merit and Certificate of Recognition.

Awarded for continuing outstanding contribution at club, branch or regional level and/or notable contribution at national level. To be awarded no more frequently than at four-yearly intervals following receipt of a Medal of Distinction.

Awarded for an outstanding contribution to the Society as a whole. It would be expected that ‘outstanding contribution’ would have been given at National Level.

Cumbria Jack Wilson

Nottinghamshire David Morton

Derbyshire Joseph Galiszewski Kevin Mosely

Scottish Eastern Sheena Harper

Hertfordshire Barrington Ellis

Shropshire Steve Carter

Kent Andrew Griggs Liverpool and District David Williams Nottinghamshire Georgina Tomlinson Scottish Eastern Shaunna Anderson Shropshire Lucy Hireson

RLSS UK Merit Honour

MEDAL OF HONOUR Awarded for exceptional contribution at branch or regional level, and/or notable work at national level as well.

Derbyshire Sandra Massey Northumberland and Durham Zelah Weedy RLSS UK Merit Honour

BAR TO MEDAL OF HONOUR

Somerset Adam Lane South Yorkshire Tamsin Willson Sussex Robin Akers Thames Valley Bhavik Barochia Laura Sammon Nick Handley Wessex Joyce Thomas Keith Thomas West Wales Aled Bowen Jon Gwynn

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Awarded for continuing exceptional contribution at branch or regional level, and/or notable work at national level as well.

To be awarded no more frequently than at fouryearly intervals following receipt of a Medal of Honour.

Derbyshire Ann Luckett Melvyn Sutton Paul Dickerson Sussex John Stainer West Wales Stuart Yeandle

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Scottish Eastern Bryan Finlay

Congratulations

to all recipients and a huge thank you to those who have worked so hard to bring everyone together for this year’s Honours ceremony!

We look forward to welcoming you all later this month.

SPECIAL AWARDS

The Deborah Hunt Trophy This trophy is awarded to a member who has made a contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at national, branch or club level.

Northumberland and Durham Daniel Arkley

The Mark Smith Trophy This trophy is awarded to a member who has demonstrated the highest contribution to the strategic future of the charity.

Scottish Eastern Sheena Harper

The Clive Holland Trophy This trophy is awarded to an RLSS UK affiliated club which has done the most to carry out the objectives of the Society in their local area.

Sussex Littlehampton Wave Life Saving Club

The Brian Morrissey Cup This trophy is awarded for the work undertaken on a Society Community Programme. Nominations can be for an individual, club or group.

Kent Andrew Fooks

The Ken White Trophy This trophy is awarded for any fundraising work on behalf of the society at national, regional, branch or club or local level.

Kent Donna Thomas

The Stanley Peck Trophy This trophy is awarded to a person who does most to carry out the objectives of the society in their local area, in any capacity.

Northumberland and Durham Maureen Harrison

The Stuart Bailey Trophy This trophy is awarded to an individual or group for outstanding work, specific to an open water environment.

Northumberland and Durham South Shields Volunteer Lifeguard Club

Equality, Diversion and Inclusivity

Equality, Diversion and Inclusivity Team Listen to what our EDI team has been hard at work getting up to – everything you need to know below!

Update

EDI Awareness Package for Members

Mental Health Awareness Week

As requested by members in the 2022 Cultural Audit, an Equality Diversity and Inclusion training package was released for all members and associates in July.

This Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May) saw the team at RLSS UK Headquarters proudly participate and come together to celebrate such an important issue.

The programme aims to raise awareness and understanding of EDI topics and promote a more inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone involved here at RLSS UK.

The team enjoyed various activities aimed at promoting mental wellbeing and spreading positivity – from guided meditation sessions, mental health quizzes and picking our favourite upbeat tunes for a ‘Positive Playlist’, to sharing acts of kindness across the team.

The package will be reviewed annually and updated prior to its next version in June 2025.

We’re committed to supporting our team’s mental health and wellbeing every day and this week was no exception.

All members are reminded that as part of their RLSS UK membership, they have access to DAS, a confidential counselling service available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; this service is available to members and their immediate family (eligibility criteria applies).

DAS 24hr Counselling Service 0117 934 2121 Further details, along with all Membership Benefits, can be found within your RLSS UK Account.

Disability Confident Committed RLSS UK has been registered to the UK Government Disability Confident Scheme. This is a Government initiative designed to encourage employers to recruit, retain and develop disabled people and those with health conditions.

Let’s speak in Plain English!

We are now registered and have been allocated places on courses for the team at RLSS UK. Looking to train team members that are involved or influence the content on our publications and website, the Plain English Campaign seeks to train people in areas including language, design, layout. This means that when content is created, we can be more aware of how it is viewed and digested by others – to help make it more accessible to all.

The Disability Confident badge, achieved in June, will also help to show disabled people that we recognise the value they can bring to our business – putting us ahead in the search for talent.

As part of the registration, we as an employer, agree to a number of commitments relating to inclusive and accessible recruitment, offering interviews to disabled people, anticipate reasonable adjustments and supporting existing employees.

We do not just plan to hold the certification for the three years and do nothing – we are actively seeking to create a workplace that commits to its values and supports everyone, continually working on the objectives, and advance through the three levels.

LIFESAVERS // Spring 2024

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First Aid Re-Launch

First Aid RE-LAUNCH A safe working environment is a basic right for all workers and a responsibility for all employers. At RLSS UK, we know how important it is that our first aid qualifications cover a range of knowledge and practical skills to ensure first aiders can give the best emergency first aid and initial care to someone injured or who becomes ill.

This appreciation and our desire to continually improve our qualifications and award offerings means we have decided to update and refresh our first aid qualifications.

Over the next few months, you will see phased changes to the RLSS UK’s First Aid suite and the development of online learning. In the initial phase, you should expect to see: • • • • •

New look ‘First Aid Essentials’ suite Refreshed Candidate Manuals New images and videos New supporting resources – such as new PowerPoints Improved learner journey

Look out for emails or updates on the RLSS UK Trainer Assessors Facebook Group page alerting you when new first aid resources are available.

Level 3

Award in Education and Training (AET)

The Level 3 Award in Education and Training is a distance learning course (via an online platform) or a face-to-face course. It explores the principles of teaching and provides the knowledge and experience of creating a supportive learning environment.

“This award made me feel confident and competent in a teaching role. I feel like I can support learners effectively, and I understand more about education and teaching environments.” Erika Rosales, recent AET student.

The award covers the following: Roles, Responsibilities, and Relationship-Building in Education and Training; Inclusive Teaching Techniques; Understanding and Creating Lessons for Different Learning Approaches; and Assessments.

Suitable for Trainer Assessors who want to apply to be RLSS UK First Aid Trainers and deliver the RLSS UK First Aid suite of qualifications.

For more information, visit www.rlss.org.uk/level-3-award-in-education-and-training

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News

Interested in delivering Save a Series Workshops?

The RLSS UK Save a Life Series can be delivered by existing RLSS UK Trainer Assessors, RLSS UK Lifesaving Academy Instructors (or above) and RLSS UK Community Instructors – who hold a current RLSS UK Membership. There is a collection of up-to-date marketing resources available to all who have the existing prerequisites, including posters, social media graphics and press releases within the RLSS UK Account Save a Life Series (Community Outreach)/Marketing), as well as posters which detail how to perform CPR on an infant, child or adult and how to use an AED which can be displayed at venues. (Save a Life Series (Community Outreach)/Posters).

If you don’t meet the prerequisites, learn more about becoming a Community Instructor at www.rlss.org.uk/community-instructor.

Did you know? Fewer than three in ten people are confident in delivering CPR*.

This is a scary statistic that the RLSS UK Save a Life Series suite of awards, with the help of RLSS UK Trainers and Instructors, is working to improve.

The RLSS UK Save a Life Series is a community programme designed to equip candidates with the knowledge and skills of basic first aid to be confident in dealing with an emergency.

Three age-related workshops cover Save a Baby’s Life, Save a Child’s Life, and Save an Adult’s Life. Each workshop covers basic lifesaving techniques, including first aid and CPR, management of a choking incident and the prevention and treatment of drowning, especially tailored to the age range that the workshop is aimed at. There is also a fourth workshop, Save a Life AED (Automated External Defibrillator), which looks at how to use an AED to save someone’s life, including what an AED is, where to find one and how to use one.

Delivered by RLSS UK Trainers and Instructors at leisure centres, community centres, schools and community groups across the UK and Ireland, the awards have proven invaluable over the years in teaching lifesaving skills and water safety education.

To find a course near you, contact your local leisure centre, swimming pool, or lifesaving club for possible upcoming courses. *According to a YouGov survey commissioned by NHS Charities Together in November 2023, n=2100 adults.

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Awards & Qualifications

Awards & Qualifications

RLSS UK

Elevate In June, the RLSS UK Team exhibited at Elevate at the ExCeL London. Interim CEO of RLSS UK, Jo Talbot delivered some highly attended talks on Swimming Pool Technology, Temporary Pools, Effective Aquatic Recruitment and Lessons to Learn from Industry Incidents. Expert adviser to RLSS UK, Ian Ogilvie, also presented a session about Preventing Pool Plant Incidents. The rest of our RLSS UK team showcased our Consultancy Services, our new Manikin Max and Lynxight’s Assisted Lifeguard Technology. It was an exciting event. Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and joined our sessions. We look forward to seeing you there in 2025!

International Conference on Evidence-Based Aquatic Therapy (ICEBAT) UK At the end of June, RLSS UK staff were at the International Conference on Evidence-Based Aquatic Therapy (ICEBAT) UK conference, organised by the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP). They were there to speak to delegates about RLSS UK’s new Aquatic Therapy Pool Rescue Award (ATPRA) and Aquatic Therapy Pool Rescue Award LIGHT (ATPRA LIGHT), which launched in January with the endorsement of the ATACP.

A brand-new event not to be missed for Open Water Operators!

We are delighted to be supporting a brand-new event for open water operators – active-net Open Water.

The event takes place on Tuesday 22 October 2024, at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Home of the National Water Sports Centre, Holme Pierrepoint, NG12 2LU. RLSS UK staff will be there talking about everything open water, and it will be a great way to meet key suppliers, network with other operators, and stay at the forefront of new equipment, initiatives, and activities.

For more information or to register your interest in attending, visit https://active-net.org/open-water

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

RLSS UK Registered Venues A new company membership category has recently been launched, and now companies can become an RLSS UK Registered Venue. This membership category has been designed for any business or organisation that wish to access to the benefits of the RLSS UK systems but has no plans to deliver RLSS UK regulated qualifications.

They receive many of the benefits of being an RLSS UK company member, including: •

Access to the RLSS UK ongoing training and competency programme

•

Online Ongoing Training Platform that supports regular staff training

•

Access to the Course Finder platform to enable you to advertise your courses

•

Access to the Job Finder to promote lifeguard recruitment

•

Marketing materials for vocational RLSS UK qualifications, available on your RLSS UK Account

•

Real-time access to staff members’ RLSS UK qualifications

•

Ability to register multiple venues within your organisational umbrella

For more information or to apply, visit www.rlss.org.uk/ become-a-rlss-uk-registered-venues

Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award

Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award

T

he Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award is a two-day course designed for individuals, responsible for supporting lifeguards in recognising, rescuing, and recovering a casualty and/or performing immediate first aid during non-lifeguarded sessions.

“The swimming pool is more than just the lifeguard’s responsibility; it’s the whole team’s responsibility to ensure it’s safe for users.” Iain Denny, David Lloyd Clubs.

The award covers The Emergency Rescuers Role, Pool Safety Operating Procedures and Safety Information, Responding to an Emergency and the Emergency Action Plan, CPR, First Aid, and AED. This course is suitable for duty managers, gym staff, receptionists, spa hosts, chefs, waiting staff, housekeeping, maintenance staff, etc.

R L S S U K A N D DAV I D L LOY D C L U B S CO L L A B O R AT E o n a p o o l s a fet y t ra i n i n g co u rs e t h a t i m p roves sw i m m i n g p o o l s a fet y st a n d a rd s i n t h e l e i s u re i n d u st r y.

The swimming pool is a high-risk environment in any leisure club. One way David Lloyd Clubs ensures high pool safety standards is to train members of its poolside, office, and gym teams to provide pool emergency response assistance.

David Lloyd Clubs constantly reviews its policies to ensure it continues offering the highest standards in swimming pool safety. It uses the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) to train its dedicated pool lifeguards; however, to ensure they can achieve its emergency rescue standard, David Lloyd Clubs trains its additional staff in RLSS UK’s Emergency Response Pool Award (ERPool). Since the award’s launch in 2022, they have trained over 2,000 team members.

Therefore, when RLSS UK embarked on a journey to update the award, they invited Iain Denny (David Lloyd Club’s Health & Safety Training Manager for Pool Safety) to participate in the process and provide his thorough experience using the award and industry knowledge. Part of Iain’s feedback related to changing the name to reflect more accurately what the award provided to the industry. Hence, in May 2024, the newly updated Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award was launched.

Iain Denny spoke of the collaboration: “The RLSS UK team are great to work with and always willing to listen. They support operators and work to improve pool safety standards by creating qualifications that match the industry’s needs and desires. The Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award is now the perfect emergency pool first aid and rescue award.”

Nick Clayton, RLSS UK’s Head of Qualification Development, added: “Iain Denny, David Lloyd Clubs, and the other expert panel members use the qualification day-to-day, and their feedback is so important. This project has helped us develop a more robust award to support the leisure industry in raising pool safety standards.”

For more information, visit www.rlss.org.uk/swimming-pool-emergency-rescue-award LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Swimming Pool Trends

Embracing Data’s Purpose Dan Harrison, Sales and Partnership Manager of Leisure DB speaks to us about the importance of learning through experience and evolving the industry through these lessons.

W

ith over two decades as a member of RLSS UK—starting as a lifeguard and now serving as an RLSS UK Trainer Assessor and Mentor, having managed leisure centres and my own training business—I have come to understand one crucial point: continual evolution and adaptation through experience and innovation are key to success.

As the Partnership Manager with Leisure DB, we collect data on the leisure industry, reporting on over 4,200 swimming pools across the UK that are open to the public. Over the last decade, Leisure DB has recorded 500 facilities with pool closures and only 239 openings accessible to the public. Many factors are at play, and it is clear that there is often too little change in how things are done.

Swimming pools can help provide a solution. Over and above facilitating the physical and mental health benefits of swimming, swimming pools have a purpose and value.

The industry’s invaluable learn-to-swim and water safety programmes help teach vital lifesaving skills, and our lifeguards help make swimming pools a safe environment to further these skills.

Over and above facilitating However, we will help save lives the physical and mental health only if swimming pools open, providing benefits of swimming, swimming remain more opportunities for individuals to learn how to pools have a purpose and a swim and learn vital water value. The industry’s invaluable safety skills. Therefore, we innovate to optimise learn-to-swim and water safety must operations, revenues, and programmes help teach vital relevance to the public. lifesaving skills.

We must also hope the

In 2023, there were 236 waterrelated fatalities in the UK: 157 in England, 47 in Scotland, 28 in Wales, and four in Northern Ireland. Males continue to overrepresent, accounting for 83 per cent of accidental fatalities1.

The 2019-2020 annual period saw 20 child drownings in England, with numbers increasing to 41 in the 2022-2023 annual period2. Most of these drownings occur in bodies of water beyond swimming pool facilities due to a lack of education, safety advice, supervision, and/or the individual’s inability to cope with the situation. Many open water sites where drownings occur are not lifeguarded by beach or open water lifeguards. As the RLSS UK Trainer Assessor at Rutland Water for their beach area and water sports teams, I have witnessed how the safety of these locations can provide enjoyable, safe places for swimming, kayaking, and other water sports, demonstrating that venues can be made safe and accessible.

new government seizes this opportunity, allocating further resources and encouraging new partnerships to tackle pool closures.

At Leisure DB, we conduct our annual State of the UK Swimming Industry Report, which is available for the first time to read for free: www.leisuredb.com/publications Through our data and partnerships, Leisure DB will continue to support the sector, shining a spotlight on new opportunities and freely sharing our research to drive informed decisions.

Dan Harrison Sales & Partnership Manager, Leisure DB Director, Bedford Training 1 2

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

WAID (2023) NCMD (2019-2023)

Pool Technology

Assisted Lifeguard Technology to

Enhance Swimming Pool Safety

R

LSS UK has been at the forefront of supporting pool operators with qualifications, guidance, consultancy, and expert training to meet evolving water safety challenges for over thirty years.

With charity aims to ensure everyone can enjoy water safety, RLSS UK strives to help pool operators make swimming pools safe environments where people young and old can learn to stay safe in, on, or around water and to be able to swim.

RLSS UK proudly embraces AI lifeguard technology to enhance pool safety and support lifeguards and operators.

RLSS UK and GLL have supported Lynxight during a rigorous testing period to test AI lifeguard technology in UK swimming pools, meaning an innovative and affordable new risk management solution is now available in UK and Ireland swimming pools.

Assisted Lifeguard Technology is about making pools even safer for everyone, and this ‘UK first’ between RLSS UK, GLL and Lynxight represents a huge step forward.

With this landmark collaboration, we are leading the integration of technology and lifeguarding expertise to create a safer environment for all pool users.

Chris Hebblewhite, National Standards and Compliance Director at GLL WHY INSTALL LYNXIGHT ASSISTED LIFEGUARD TECHNOLOGY (ALT)?

An affordable, intelligent, simple solution that allows you to make your pool safer • It’s an affordable solution that allows more UK pool operators to benefit from technology.

• Installation is simple and very cost-effective.

• It uses standard overhead security cameras and does not require underwater cameras.

• Installation may be completed without closing or draining the pool, damaging pool tiles or investing in costly waterproofing. Approved installers will work closely with the pool operator to minimise timetable disruptions.

• It offers easy maintenance and minimal impact on pool buildings.

• It’s subtle and does not impact pool users.

Scan here to find out more, or visit lynxight.com/uk

Increases swimming pool safety • It complements the highly skilled work of lifeguards and provides another layer of safety for pool users.

• It uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) software and swimmer behaviour analysis to provide a complete real-time understanding of what is happening above and below the water surface.

• It continuously monitors pool users and promptly alerts lifeguards via smartwatches when it senses abnormal behaviour or potential risks, enabling the lifeguard to prevent situations from worsening.

• It supports pool operators in identifying new opportunities to understand pool use which may generate revenue from activities in underutilised spaces.

Effective data collection for your pool operations • Currently, Lynxight is the only system available in the UK providing live and historical pool data via dashboards to optimise swimming pool operations, including pool usage and swimmer numbers.

• It identifies new opportunities to understand pool use and generate revenue from activities in under-utilised spaces.

Provides the industry with an additional technology solution • It’s suitable for use in almost all swimming pools, including outdoor pools.

• It meets the stringent demands of UK pool operators.

• It complies with the current Guidance for Technology in Swimming Pools (GS0011).

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Spotlight on..

RLSS UK

WATER SAFETY TER SAFETY PARTNER

WATER SAFETY PARTNERS: A shared passion to help improve water safety, so everyone can enjoy being in, on, or near water safely.

An RLSS UK Water Safety Partnership is a commercial, mutually beneficial agreement for trusted brands synonymous with high standards of products and services, industry innovation and an ongoing dedication to raising awareness, educating people about water safety and promoting safe water-based activities.

All RLSS UK Water Safety Partners benefit from a bespoke package, plus exclusive use of the official Water Safety Partner of RLSS UK logo. For more information about becoming a Water Safety Partner, please email learnmore@rlss.org.uk.

We’re proud of our respected and expanding group of RLSS UK Water Safety Partners:

Do you want to help improve water safety and actively encourage safe and enjoyable participation for people in, on and around water?

Our Water Safety Partners benefit from RLSS UK safety guidance and can promote their Partner status to their customers and users. All RLSS UK Water Safety Partners align with our vision for people to enjoy water safely.

We work with an impressive list of national water safety providers to help improve water safety and health and safety standards across the UK and Ireland.

We keep our partners at the cutting edge of water safety, and the RLSS UK brand gives peace of mind to the millions of customers who access water facilities every year.

To register your interest in becoming an RLSS UK Water Safety Partner, visit www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-partners

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Our partners

Ruth Lee Ltd awarded King’s Award for Enterprise Ruth Lee Ltd, which recently renewed its Water Safety Partnership with us, has been awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category. This honour recognises the company’s groundbreaking work in creating its Pool Rescue manikin, a vital tool for lifeguard training worldwide.

Designed with RLSS UK’s expert input, the manikin more accurately simulates a drowning casualty, significantly enhancing the realism and effectiveness of training exercises for lifeguards and rescue professionals. It boosts skills, builds confidence, and improves overall occupational fitness, ensuring that lifeguards can respond effectively in emergencies.

Paul McDonnell, Managing Director at Ruth Lee, said: “We were honoured to receive the King’s Award, which highlights our dedication to innovation and improving water safety practices. The power of collaboration between Ruth Lee and RLSS UK highlights how our organisations have worked together to create innovative solutions that save lives.”

Get changed and stay warm with dryrobe® In recent years, outdoor swimming has become increasingly popular, with more and more people regularly dipping outside. Taking the plunge in cold water can be hugely beneficial to your mental and physical health, but risks are involved. After getting out of the water it’s vital to make sure you warm up properly to avoid the effects of hypothermia.

This is where a dryrobe® Advance changing robe becomes an essential piece of kit. Designed for changing into and out of swim gear or a wetsuit, it’s perfect for warming up quickly after getting out of the water.

Its uniqueness comes from the super-warm lining. The fleece’s composition perfectly balances insulation with the ability to wick water away from the skin. A durable waterproof and windproof outer shell protects you from the elements.

The dryrobe® Advance range is made with 100% recycled fabrics, making it ideal for anyone looking for a sustainably conscious, high-performance changing robe.

Find out more at dryrobe.com

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

35

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Water Safety Training

HOW TO PICK the correct water safety training

W

FOR YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS

ater safety training is essential for any business with employees working on, in, or near water. However, deciding which water safety training best meets your business needs can be challenging.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) offers several qualifications suitable for such businesses, including: •

National Water Safety Management Programme (NWSMP)

•

National Water Safety Management Programme (NWSMP) DEFRA – NWSMP DEFRA

•

Water Rescue Equipment Training (WRET)

NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME (NWSMP) The NWSMP is delivered via three water safety courses (or modules) tailored to the individual requirements of candidates attending the course.

N WS M P – M O D U L E 1 : WAT E R S A F E T Y AWA R E N E S S The Water Safety Awareness module of the NWMSP is suitable for those working near water, providing safety cover during structured, managed activity. This water safety course is ideal for people in roles such as teachers on field trips, countryside rangers, community safety wardens, private estate and security staff whose duties mean they work near water.

N WS M P – M O D U L E 2 : I N L A N D WAT E RWAYS The Inland Waterways water safety course suits those working in water on inland waterways such as rivers, canals, and lakes. The types of jobs this course is ideal for include outdoor activity instructors, fisheries managers, or water testers whose working activities mean they are working on or in water.

N WS M P – M O D U L E 2 : COA STA L WAT E RWAYS The Coastal Waterways water safety training course suits those working in water in coastal areas. The types of jobs this water safety course is ideal for include marine biologists, marine environmental consultants, coast and marine advisors, coastal engineers, and coastal scientists.

N AT I O N A L WAT E R SA F E T Y M A N AG E M E N T P RO G R A M M E ( N WS M P ) – D E F R A The NWSMP DEFRA water safety training courses align with the outcomes and objectives of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) water safety training requirements. They teach candidates about their responsibilities when working near water and during flooding.

The course content is divided into three modules to ensure candidates get the most out of the programme.

N SW M P D E F R A : T R A I N I N G M O D U L E 1 - WAT E R & F LO O D AWA R E N E S S The Water & Flood Awareness water safety course is for workers who may work near water as part of their role.

The types of roles this includes are ecologists, construction workers, groundworkers, site managers and utilities engineers.

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

37

Water Safety Training

N AT I O N A L WAT E R S A F E T Y M A N AG E M E N T P RO G R A M M E D E F R A : T R A I N I N G M O D U L E 1 & A N N E X H - WAT E R & F LO O D N O N - R E S C U E O P E R AT I O N S The NWSMP DEFRA Training Module 1 & Annex H - Water & Flood Non-Rescue Operations water safety training course is for employees working on the water’s edge at risk of needing to self-rescue. The types of roles this includes are emergency services, wildlife trusts staff, waterway agencies, flood control personnel, watercourse maintenance staff and environment engineers.

N AT I O N A L WAT E R S A F E T Y M A N AG E M E N T P RO G R A M M E D E F R A : T R A I N I N G M O D U L E 2 – WAT E R & F LO O D F I RST R E S P O N D E R The NWSMP DEFRA Training Module 2 – Water & Flood First Responder course is for those working in, on and near inland waterways, providing safety cover during structured, managed activity up to wading depth water. The types of roles this includes are environment agencies, flood technicians and flood response teams, and river water quality surveyors.

WATER RESCUE EQUIPMENT TRAINING (WRET) The WRET water rescue course ensures people are confident and competent in using water rescue equipment found around watercourses. It is for businesses responsible for supervising the public near a watercourse or body of water, including nightlife venues, bars and restaurants in waterfront locations, golf clubs with lakes or ponds, heritage sites with bodies of water, event venues or educational establishments with lakes and ponds, etc., on-site.

To find out more about what is covered in the courses or how to book a course, visit www.rlss.org.uk/water-safetytraining. Alternatively, contact the RLSS UK team at info@rlss.org.uk or 0300 323 0096 to discuss your specific requirements; the team will be pleased to advise you on the most suitable.

WATER SAFETY TRAINING with Wessex Rivers Trust Wessex Rivers Trust is an environmental charity that delivers conservation and education projects along Wessex’s chalk streams and rivers, including the rivers Avon, Itchen, Stour, and Test, as well as New Forest and East Hampshire rivers.

Their staff routinely work near or in water, delivering river restoration, catchment management, education, and research and monitoring projects.

Having experienced rapid growth over the past few years, the trust identified a skills gap and health and safety risk, whereby only two of 25 staff had completed formal water safety training.

After researching training options, the trust decided that all new and existing staff would complete RLSS UK’s National Water Safety Management Programme DEFRA (NWSMP DEFRA) Training Module 2 – Water and Flood First Responder; these courses being accredited and suiting the needs of the organisation. The first session occurred in March 2024, followed by another in May 2024, delivered by Bristol Maritime Academy at the River Training Centre near Frome.

Upon completing the course, the staff members who attended immediately implemented measures to improve water safety for their staff, volunteers, partners, and the schools and groups they educate. These have included updated procedures and risk assessments, practical water safety training such as toolbox talks, planned investment in new equipment, and changes to site setup, such as rescue lines being positioned in easily accessible locations and access and egress points clearly marked at all work and education sites.

Most importantly, the trust’s staff members are equipped with the knowledge and skills to avoid and or escape potentially dangerous situations.

Mike Blackmore, Director of Operations at Wessex Rivers Trust, said: “The Bristol Maritime Academy team was excellent. They provided a good balance of theory and practice and instilled confidence in attendees to identify and control risks and act quickly and safely in an emergency.”

For more information about water safety training for your business, visit www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety-training

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Pool Technology

Swimming Pool CONSULTANCY SERVICES As the industry expert in water-related safety and the leader in lifeguarding and lifesaving for the UK and Ireland, RLSS UK is proud to support hundreds of pool operators nationwide in complying with UK legislation, industry guidance, and best practices.

PLUS, 100% of all profit goes into helping us educate more people to enjoy water safely, including our free educational resources, which reached over 2,265,000+ children across the UK and Ireland in 2023*.

Our support includes: Pool Safety Audits This service assesses your pool’s current safety standards against best practices, industry guidance, and UK health and safety legislation, as well as identifying areas for improvement to enhance the overall safety of the pool environment; this includes everything from signage to rescue equipment, lifeguard positions to emergency procedures, alarm systems to training records - giving you peace of mind that the experts have checked your pool.

Pool Risk Assessments Our experienced team can review your current pool risk assessments, make recommendations on improvements, or create new risk assessments to ensure they are suitable and sufficient with reasonably practicable control measures.

Mystery Visits Our mystery visit service gives an unbiased view of your swimming pool operations, providing actionable feedback and identifying areas that may require improvement. As standard, this includes compliant lifeguarding and staff knowledge, which are essential to the safe running of the facility, with bespoke options available.

Lifeguard Zone Visibility Tests (LZVTs) Ensure your LZVTs meet the highest standards by having them reviewed or created by the organisation responsible for developing the UK’s industry guidance! LZVTs are essential to ensure 100% visibility of your swimming pool by working out the optimal position and number of lifeguards required.

Training, Capability and Qualifications We service the leisure industry with the most robust and detailed qualifications and awards; we can help you review and consider the most appropriate training and qualifications for your staff.

Pool Safety Operating Procedures (PSOPs) Assessments We know how important a PSOP is to any swimming pool.

We offer a review or creation service, and, in both, we work closely with the swimming pool team to ensure all areas are covered and staff and systems complement operational needs.

Safe Swimming Pool Design Reviews We understand how vital the design of swimming pools is and how simple changes can improve operational practices. Let us help you and your design team build safety into your new swimming pool design (with advice from experts in their field) to make the right decisions that impact safety.

And more

If you have questions about your site and responsibilities, what is reasonable and appropriate, and relevant legislation and regulation, our team will always be happy to help.

To book in time to discuss how our swimming pool industry experts can help you, email learnmore@rlss.org.uk or for more information, visit www.rlss.org.uk/swimming-pools-consultancy-service * Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) Charity Impact Report 2023.

The RLSS UK is a registered charity in England, Wales (1046060), and Scotland (SC037912).

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

39

Compliance

RLSS UK

Co m p l i a n ce

FA I L E D CA N D I DAT E R E P O RTS Quality assurance is such an important element with any RLSS UK award or qualification, and if ALL candidates fail the same assessment, we have a duty to investigate. We would require the assessor to complete a report outlining the reasons why the candidates were failed to assist us with our investigations. Please refer to page 25 of the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) Gen 10 Guidance and Syllabus for further details.

The report must be sent to RLSS UK Qualifications within five working days of the assessment taking place via the online application form, which is available in your RLSS UK Account: 1. Log in to your RLSS UK Account 2. My Details 3. Additional Information 4. Failed Candidate Referral Report Form Upon review of the report, we may request course/assessment paperwork to support the assessor’s findings.

F I RST A I D CO U RS E S A N D AS S E S S M E N TS TIMEFRAME

T H E A N N UA L T R A I N E R A S S E S S O R ( TA ) C P D H AS LANDED!!

As an awarding organisation, RLSS UK is committed to communicating qualification updates and raising awareness of key topics for our TAs to be mindful of and remind and refresh them of best practices.

We have designed a CPD to remind, refresh, and hopefully rejuvenate our trainer and assessors’ approach to delivering courses and assessments.

This CPD launched on 1 September 2024, and we recommend, as trainers and assessors, that you complete it by 31 December 2024.

The CPD is in your RLSS UK Account under Awards and Training, Online Learning, Update.

This is a reminder to all our First Aid Trainer Assessors to ensure you adhere to the timeframe permitted for our first aid courses.

The three topics for 2024 are: • Safeguarding, awareness of responsibilities and reporting.

For example:

•

Neurodiversity, what is it?

Information on types and needs and considerations for trainer delivery and assessment.

•

Training and assessing - refresher and reminders of the roles and responsibilities, the impact of our actions, and reminders of paperwork completion.

•

Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) course must be completed within a 4-week period.

•

First Aid at Work (FAW) course must be completed within a 10-week period.

Please refer to page seven of the First Aid Guidance and Syllabus for further details.

If you cannot complete the first aid course within the timeframe stated in the guidance, please contact compliance@rlss.org.uk for further advice.

Please note that non-compliance with these requirements may result in candidate certificates being revoked.

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

The three videos plus the quiz will take (approximately) 45 minutes to 1 hour of your time.

We hope you find this CPD useful in refreshing your knowledge.

Compliance

M E N TO R I N G P RO BAT I O N A RY T R A I N E R AS S E S S O RS FAC E - TO - FAC E We’ve recently had several enquiries about mentoring Probationary Trainer Assessors (PTAs). The below can be found in the Mentor Guidance and should be followed at all times.

If you have questions or need support, please email info@rlss.org.uk.

Mentoring a PTA presenting candidates for independent assessment The mentor will need to arrive before the assessment and be present to observe the assessments taking place. The mentor should see a sample of the assessment(s).

Mentoring a PTA assessing candidates The Mentor will need to arrive before the assessment and observe all the assessments conducted by the PTA and discuss results before the PTA gives candidates final results.

Check out our new Probationary Trainer Assessor online support area: www.rlss.org.uk/pta-support

ATC / P P O L I C I E S A new function within the ATC/P Account is ready to be utilised. All ATC/Ps are now required to upload their policies to their RLSS UK ATC/P Account, ready for audit. (Appeals Policy, Complaints Policy, Equality and Diversity Policy, Malpractice and Maladministration Policy, and Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy).

How to upload your ATC/P policies to your RLSS UK Account: 1. Log in to your RLSS UK Account.

2. Access your ATC account/Mother site for multi-site organisations.

3. Click the Policy tab.

4. Select ‘Upload files’.

5. Either from an open folder, drag and drop the file into the area shown, or use ‘Browse Files’ to find and select the policy to upload, then click ‘Open’.

6. Once the file appears in the box, click ‘Upload’.

7. After uploading the file, you can close the dialogue box.

CA N D I DAT E C E RT I F I CAT I O N Where a candidate has not received their certificate for an award or qualification, they must first contact the ATC/P. If the ATC/P cannot resolve the issue, please contact Customer Services at info@rlss.org.uk.

Please do get in touch if you have any questions or need any support with compliance.

The Compliance Team would like to thank you for your continued support of the audit process. Please do get in touch if you have any questions or need any support with compliance.

Check out our new Probationary Trainer Assessor online support area www.rlss.org.uk/pta-support LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Support RLSS UK with our charity

ORDER YOURS TODAY! 27

LIFESAVERS // Spring 2023

VISIT SHOP.RLSS.ORG.UK

L

GoodSAM

Help create the

WORLD’S BIGGEST

Water Rescue Equipment Registry!

Supporting the emergency services, first responders and your local community

Plot your water rescue equipment on the GoodSAM RLSS UK and GoodSAM Water Rescue Register Equipment Registry.

Water Rescue It takes a few minutes, and you don’t need Equipment a GoodSAM account. Doing it will ensure AED that it is easily accessible to the emergency services and first responders to aid in emergencies and help save lives.

SCAN to find out more!

GLASDON - Lifebuoys & Housing

AVAILABLE NOW! from the RLSS UK Shop!

shop.rlss.org.uk/collections/glasdon

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

43

Clubs & Branches

RLSS UK

Clubs & Branches Introducing Graham McCallum: Introducing Cath Hill: RLSS UK Club Development Officer for Scotland

RLSS UK Club Development Officer for England and Wales

Hi, I’m Graham McCallum and I am the newly appointed RLSS UK Club Development Officer – specifically covering the whole of Scotland.

Hi, my name is Cath Hill and I am a Club Development Officer for RLSS UK, covering England and Wales.

I am thoroughly excited to be a part of the RLSS UK family and my first priority is to send out a thank you for making me feel so welcome. I am very much looking forward to the challenges of supporting your clubs to develop and grow – helping to ensure our shared mission of enjoying water safety, across Scotland.

It’s a privilege to be part of such a hard-working team, committed to providing people with vital knowledge, resources and support, as the charity has been undertaking successfully for decades.

My first involvement in lifesaving was struggling through my Silver Cross Award, after gaining my Bronze Medallion with Edinburgh Spartan Lifesaving Club during a gale. Thankfully I survived the swim (after some mild hypothermia!) and then went on to gain my Distinction Award, which I was very proud of – and still am. I suppose if that wasn’t enough to put me off, nothing would – and I have loved being involved in all aspects of lifesaving since then.

As a qualified PE teacher, I then became involved in competitive lifesaving, assessing and teaching as they all went hand in hand with an over the hill competitive swimmer and water polo player with Carnegie Lifesaving Club.

I thereafter joined Police Scotland and continued to stay involved in competitive lifesaving, taking part in a number of the Police National Lifesaving Championships across the UK – one of which I helped host in Dundee.

I very much look forward to working and supporting all of you the very best I can and I am delighted to be helping shape, nurture and support all the new and current lifesaving clubs, to be the best they can be in this fantastic sport and all other aspects.

The very best of wishes to all volunteers and the work you do.

Graham

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Aquatics has always been my passion – from learning to swim as a toddler to 12 years in competitive swimming, then into lifeguarding. From there I progressed into swim teaching and coaching. My passion is delivering lessons to all ages, from a child’s first time in the water to an adult who has never learnt to swim but is determined to be safe in, on and around water.

On the other end of the scale, I love competitive swimming; so combining this with lifesaving skills to create such a fantastic opportunity for young athletes to develop their abilities in a unique, fun and engaging sport has been exciting. I am delighted to be helping shape, nurture and support all the new and current lifesaving clubs and aquatic clubs to be the best they can be in this fantastic sport and beyond.

I look forward to meeting with all the clubs and individuals involved – whether that be at an event throughout the year or at a club visit.

Best wishes, Cath

Clubs & Branches

Brand New

Club Check

C C C

RLSS UK

CLUB

Read about our Club Check accreditation as RLSS UK’s quality standards for Clubs.

We recognise just how much lifesaving activity takes place within a club environment – and so to ensure the health of the society going forwards, we need to invest time into building strong, safe and sustainable clubs.

To do this, we have put in place a new Club Check accreditation scheme – and here’s what you need to know:

CHECK

PROBATIONARY

RLSS UK

CLUB

•

Club Check recognises high standards of governance, sustainability and effectiveness

•

Supports clubs with governance, growing membership, developing volunteers and helping to meet the industry needs

•

Club Check consists of three levels: Probationary, Affiliated and Accredited

•

It is accredited every two years

•

Club Check replaces the Club Development Programme, and all clubs will need to re-apply to the new accreditation

•

Any club with an RLSS UK Club Membership can apply, regardless of size or activities delivered

CHECK

ACCREDITED

RLSS UK

5 easy steps

CLUB

CHECK AFFILIATED

TO A P P LY F O R T H E C L U B C H EC K STAT U S

1 2 34 5

ST E P 1

ST E P 2

ST E P 3

ST E P 4

ST E P 5

Access details via the Club Check page on the RLSS UK website.

Read through and discuss with your Committee.

Contact the Club Development Team to discuss any areas you are unsure of.

Follow the matrix for the level you are applying for, update your RLSS UK club account accordingly and email the Club Development Team confirming your completion.

The Club Development Team will review your RLSS UK club account and will confirm that you have met the requirements for the level you are applying for.

There will be two opportunities in the annual calendar to apply for the Club Check status and applications will only be processed during these windows: 1 July – 31 August and 1 November – 31 December

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

45

Lifesaving World Championships 2024

Lifesaving World Championships 2024:

Team GBR’s Triumph on the Gold Coast

The Lifesaving World Championships 2024 (LWC24), held on Australia’s Gold Coast from 20 August to 8 September, showcased the incredible skills and determination of lifesavers worldwide.

Interclub Masters The championships got off to a flying start as athletes from Retford and District Lifesavers brought home a haul of medals, including two Golds and a Silver in the Line Throw events, topped off with another Silver medal for the ladies in the 4x25m Manikin Relay, and an individual Bronze medal for Nicola Tasker in the 50m Carry – congratulations to you all!

Thank you to our RLSS UK Officials

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LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Lifesaving World Championships 2024

OVERALL

RESULTS

IRB Team - 3rd Youth Team - 6th Open Team - 7th

National Youth & Open In the National leg of the competition, Team GBR made a remarkable impact, securing multiple medals in both beach and pool events!

Highlights for the Youth team included a Bronze medal in SERC, a Silver for Charlotte Hart in the Iron and more Silverware for RLSS UK’s Heather Watson and Amaia Lopez in the Female Line Throw. The cherry on the cake came when the boys achieved Silver in the OceanMan Relay!

The Open team had an equally impressive competition, with highlights including Lawman, Leggett, Trebilcock and Sadberry bringing home a Bronze in the 4x50m Obstacle Relay, Evie Wong securing Silver in the Female Ski Race and dream team McCloy and Hocking achieving Bronze in the Women’s Board Rescue.

The competition was fierce, with the Gold Coast’s surf adding an extra layer of difficulty. Despite these challenges, Team GBR’s athletes rose to the occasion, demonstrating the spirit of lifesaving.

The championships highlighted the importance of teamwork, endurance, and dedication – qualities that are at the heart of lifesaving.

To revisit the highlights and see how Team GBR fared, visit RLSS UK’s LWC24 updates page here LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

47

Commonwealth Sport

he NL SC

W e’r

n the days to t

Fi

ls! na

e

dow g n nti u co

John Charles Centre for Sport, Leeds

2 November 2024

Tag us in your snaps at the event #Nationals @RLSSUK

STAY ON FOR SERC! Book before 28 Oct for early bird discount

Save the Date!

Sandwell Aquatics Centre 29 – 30 March 2025 48

LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

Commonwealth Sport

The RLSS Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships are held every two years and RLSS UK are delighted to have been selected to take up the baton from Canada and host the 2025 event.

10-13 July 2025 WALES NATIONAL POOL,

SWANSEA

We have secured a fantastic venue and planning is in full swing to make this event truly memorable – we can’t wait to welcome our lifesaving family from around the Commonwealth to Wales.

REGISTRATION

now open!

M E E T T H E M A N AG E RS Congratulations to the fantastic individuals who have been appointed as Team Managers for our home nations during the Championships – we’re excited to see your athletes bring their A-game!

NORTHERN IRELAND: Ruth McDougall Ruth is the current Head Coach of Belfast Olympia Lifesaving Club. The club is currently the point aggregate National Champions (RLSS UK) and Ruth herself is a multi-time National medalist who has also coached many athletes to world level. Ruth successfully took Team Northern Ireland to Canada for Commonwealths 2023.

ENGLAND: Matthew Trebilcock and Daniel Woodthorpe

WALES: Simon Parker Simon has over 20 years of lifesaving experience and is the current Pool Coach for Vale Surf Lifesaving Club. He is a former Masters World Record Holder and has valuable Commonwealth Championships experience, having successfully taken Team Wales to Canada for Commonwealths 2023 and acted as Assistant Team Manager in 2019.

SCOTLAND: Shaunna This dynamic duo have a wealth of Anderson experience to bring to Team Shaunna is a qualified England: Matthew as Head lifesaving official with Coach of Gyllyngvase Surf over 17 years of Lifesaving Club and Daniel as experience in lifesaving.

Head Coach of RASCALS. She has competed at Both have coached and multiple Commonwealth managed lifesaving clubs and individuals on the national and Championships herself and successfully took the team to Canada for Commonwealths 2023. international stage.

We’re looking for a fantastic team of dedicated volunteers to help us make the 2025 Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships a huge success...can you help us?

Volunteers Officials

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Rescue Round-up

Everyday Heroes Rescue Round-up

Take a look at a few of our Everyday Heroes who deserve a special mention for their amazing real life rescues

Four heroes to the rescue!

May 2024, Aqua Park Rutland

Owen Mansel

March 2024, Burry Port

Owen Mansel showed great initiative one evening in March and helped save not one but two lives. Nineteen years of age at the time, Owen was driving from his friend’s house when he suddenly noticed a man face down in the road. Confronted with a head injury, the ambulance call handler advised that an ambulance would take some time to arrive – and so instinct, coupled with his National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), after 20 minutes, Owen decided to take matters into his own hands and drive the casualty to the nearest hospital himself.

On his first shift at Aqua Park Rutland, an RLSS UK Approved Aqua Park, 17-year-old lifeguard George Pollard was alerted by two children on the Aqua Park to a customer in difficulty.

The 64-year-old man, David, was in trouble and had slipped on the first line of equipment. After falling into the water, he swam along the inside of the park for a short distance before other customers helped him out of the water. However, it was soon clear he’d had a heart attack on the equipment, and had become unresponsive.

George made a quick assessment followed by a rescue.

George was assisted by 17-year-old fellow lifeguard Reuben Hutchison, who had only worked a few shifts by this point – and the pair were then aided by Nathan Liptrot, the Duty Manager on site, as they rescued him from the park to the shore.

Not even 100 yards down the road, a man and his wife waved down Owen’s car asking for help as there was a second casualty in the road – worse for wear as he struggled for breath. Using his first aid training from a previous role as a lifeguard, Owen’s training kicked in and after assessing the man, he performed CPR chest compressions until a paramedic arrived on the scene with the defibrillator. As soon as he was assured the casualty was in good hands, Owen returned to the first casualty in his car and drove him straight to the hospital.

Commenting on Owen’s bravery, Stuart Yeandle, Branch Chair at West Wales, said: “We are all very proud of Owen here at West Wales – and so pleased that his training kicked in and was able to help save two lives. A huge well done!”

Awarded a commendation for his bravery and quick thinking which made all the difference, a round of applause for Owen, whose lifesaving skills came into play not once but twice – you should be very proud of yourself!

Once onshore, Site Manager and Trainer Assessor, Charlotte Bambrick, helped them to use the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and they carried out CPR and managed to get David responsive just before the Air Ambulance landed.

The four trained RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguards were praised by the emergency services on the scene for their actions which saved David’s life. Very quick thinking from George and his colleagues who remained calm, despite George and Reuben being newer to the team – a huge well done, it made all the difference!

Owen being presented his Everyday Hero certificate by Trustee, Ben Johns.

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Rescue Round-up

Oliwia, Oliver and James

March 2024, Bletchley Leisure Centre

After a 16-year-old girl collapsed in the bowls hall at Bletchley Leisure Centre, it wasn’t long before lifeguards, Oliwia Sliwka, Oliver Cook and James Cook rushed to the scene. After doing a quick assessment, they saw she was not breathing and quickly commenced CPR which lasted for a total of 20 minutes, as well as using an Automated External Defibrillator and calling emergency services.

After the ambulance and HEMS crews arrived and got the girl to safety, they were highly impressed with the standard of care provided by the three staff members – even remarking that it was one of the best emergency responses they had seen.

It was no doubt the team’s quick, calm and efficient response gave the teenager the best chance until emergency services arrived on the scene. Thanks to heroes, Oliver, Oliwia and James, the young girl made a full recovery.

Harvey Hadden Sports Village Team September 2023, Harvey Hadden

During a stag weekend, while taking part in activities, the father of the bride suddenly collapsed from a heart attack and the team at Harvey Hadden Sports Village was alerted and sprang into action.

The team, led by Supervisor Josh Reid, quickly arrived at the scene and assessed the man and they began performing CPR. The team also used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) where two shocks were delivered. Thanks to the swift actions and coordination of Josh and the team, the patient left the site conscious and talking, and was able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.

Even more impressive, Josh started as a lifeguard and was only three months into his role as Supervisor when his lifesaving skills were called upon and made all the difference. The bride to be sent her thanks to the team for their prompt actions and response on the day of the incident.

The team consisted of: Josh Reid (supervisor), Sam Wheat (lifeguard), Brad Nolan (lifeguard), Jake Jeffery (lifeguard), Jack Edis (lifeguard) and Libby Adams (lifeguard) – a very big well done to you all and your efforts to help save a life!

To see more inspiring stories, visit www.rlss.org.uk/everydayheroes LIFESAVERS // Autumn 2024

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Water Smart Schools Award

Water Smart

Schools

Hear more about how our Water Smart Schools programme has taken off - with an award win under our belt and a number of GOLD star students becoming water smart...

E D U CAT I O N A L R E S O U RC E P ROV I D E R O F T H E Y E A R !

We are incredibly proud to announce that we’ve been named Educational Resource Provider of the Year at this year’s Education Awards!

RLSS UK’s Water Smart Schools Award programme seeks to help children enjoy water safely and to target groups that may not otherwise have access to free education resources – as well as enriching their opportunities to get involved in water-related activities!

Commenting on the win, our Education Manager, Andy Lane, said: “We’re over the moon and are especially excited that we’ve been recognised for our dedication, commitment and time that has been invested into our Water Smart Schools programme, which we successfully launched in September 2023 and have had over 200 schools sign up since.”

e

Royal Life Sa vin the y g b

ty UK cie So

An in itia tiv

“We believe that EVERY child should have access to water safety skills – and with our Water Smart Schools initiative, we are one step closer to achieving this!”

WATER SMART

schools

CO N G R AT U L AT I O N S ST O SWA L D ’S P R I M A RY S C H O O L I N K I D D E R M I N ST E R F O R AC H I E V I N G G O L D !

Commenting on the Water Smart Schools programme, St Oswald’s Primary School, said: “It was very engaging and easy to follow, and the resources were so clear.”

When asked for one key highlight, the school said: “The children loved having the opportunity to take ownership by delivering an assembly and having a trip to the canal to be able to picture what they would need to do if they got into a real problem.”

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CO N G R AT U L AT I O N S W E STO E C ROW N P R I M A RY S C H O O L I N S O U T H S H I E L D S FO R AC H I E V I N G G O L D !

When asked about the programme, Brett McIntyre, Teacher, said: “It addresses many areas where children can become confident – from understanding signs and symbols, what to do in a water emergency, first aid and CPR, to creating links to local RLSS UK clubs. The communication and support from the Water Smart Officer was excellent. The children loved it, the staff enjoyed delivering it and I was proud to implement it at Westoe Crown being an RLSS UK Trainer Assessor for over 20 years in South Shields.

The children also really enjoyed class-based activities as part of their PSHE lessons – utilising teaching methods and complete work creating poetry, reading a novel about water and using art skills to bring their understanding to life.

Emme, pupil in Year 6, said: “I loved, loved, loved the CPR and first aid with Mr McIntyre - I really hope to help someone in need, one day!”

Elliot, pupil in Year 6, said: “At the weekend, I used my knowledge of the beach flags to know what to do when I went to the beach with my mam and I had to tell her what they meant!”

If you would like to share this great programme with schools local to you, you can find out more by emailing education@rlss.org.uk

Winter Water Safety Activity Can you colour in the icy scene below and correctly identify all of the dangers?

K!

AC

CR

SPOT THE DANGERS Can you match the following advice with the dangers on the picture?

1

Never go on the ice as you may fall through

4

Watch out for things you may trip over

2

Don’t go onto the ice to help someone else. Follow the Water Safety Code

5

Safety signs give information to keep you safe

3

Animals may run onto the ice so keep dogs on a lead when near ice and slippery banks

6

Ice is always thin near the edge and around pipes, trees, and plants

7

Beware of wooden and rocky surfaces as they may be slippery

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BULSCA

BULSCA Let us introduce the new BULSCA Committee!

TO M PA R K , BULSCA CHAIR

A M Y PA R N E L L , B U L S CA C L U B D E V E LO P M E N T

Having only recently joined lifesaving sport about three years ago, I have completely fallen in love! My favourite event is SERC in all its forms, and it’s been great to meet so many people.

I’m Amy, I’ve been a lifeguard for five years and a lifesaver for three years, and I’m in love with the community that surrounds the sport!

ANNABEL CRUSE, B U L S CA S EC R E TA RY I’ve been lifesaving since I was 12 with Keynsham Life Saving Club, so when it came to University in Bristol I had to join!

Since then, I have become an instructor and now teach the kids at Keynsham, as well as help out at Bristol as much as I can. I love lifesaving as it’s a fun way to keep swimming and it has one of the most welcoming and fun social aspects of any sport out there!

A N TO N O L E N I K , B U L S C A T R E AS U R E R Hi I’m Anton, this year’s BULSCA treasurer!

I started out with Speeds lifesaving when I was 16, having had many years in a related underwater sport called finswimming, and it gave me something new to test out my skills with. In the years that have followed, I’ve discovered so much more to lifesaving at university and have made so many great memories with so many great people and will never look back!

GLAFKI SCHELLEKENS, B U L S CA C H A M P I O N S H I P S CO - O R D I N ATO R I started lifesaving at university having no experience in lifesaving or first aid. The best thing about lifesaving as a sport, in my opinion, is that it has an element of fun! You don’t need any prior experience and it provides you with useful life skills.

K AT Y N I C H O L L S , B U L S CA CO M M U N I CAT I O N S OFFICER I’m Katy, the new Communications Officer for BULSCA! I first joined lifesaving at Nottingham University as a complete beginner to the sport. Three years on, and I can’t get enough of lifesaving and its community. I’m excited to get even more involved this year on the BULSCA committee!

K I RST Y R E E D, W E L FA R E O F F I C E R

L E AG U E DAT E S

To me, the highlight of lifesaving is the people I have met along the way.

Volunteering on the BULSCA committee has allowed me to meet loads of great people and combine my passion for inclusion and accessibility with a sport I love!

Nottingham Freshers: 16 November

N OA H H O L LOW E L L , B U L S CA DATA M A N AG E R Hi, I’m Noah the BULSCA Data Manager. I’m currently helping digitise Lifesaving Sport for everyone. What I love most about lifesaving is the community and opportunities it has provided, and who I’ve become as a result.

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Warwick: 30 November Birmingham: 7 December Bristol: 8 February Southampton: 22 February Championships (@K2 Crawley): 15 & 16 March Loughborough: TBC

Interested in helping, officiating or competing with us? Get in touch via our Instagram or email chair@bulsca.co.uk

100 years Award

Celebrating 100 years

of the Royal Charter This year, on 14 July 2024, we marked a very special occasion – celebrating none other than 100 years since RLSS was awarded the Royal Charter.

I

n honour of this special anniversary, we created a limited-edition award which is free and available until 31 December 2024 – so don’t miss out!

The RLSS UK 100 Years Commemorative Award is available for any RLSS UK Lifesaving Instructor and National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), National Rescue Awards for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC), Aquatic Therapy Rescue Award (ATPRA), Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) and National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) Trainer Assessor to award.

For those who are successful, we have recreated a certificate from 100 years ago on the reverse of the modern certificate – providing them with an insight into the society’s rich history.

S O W H AT ’S I N C L U D E D ?

This all-new award includes simple lifesaving skills, based on the type of skills that were required in the RLSS award 100 years ago – of course, with the technical skills having evolved over ten decades!

H OW D O I ACC E S S T H E R E S O U RC E S ?

Resources can be found within the Resource area in your RLSS UK Account. There you will find a guidance document including an assessment record and a PDF certificate that you can download, print, insert the candidate’s details and present.

And we’d just like to send a big congratulations to everyone who has already successfully completed the 100 Years Commemorative Award – we can’t wait to see more of you earn your limitededition award!

Candidates will need to demonstrate CPR and the recovery position as well as rescues, tows, and casualty recovery.

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Fundraising

FUNDRAISING FOR RLSS UK

Access

our fundraising resources at:

www.rlss.org.uk/fundraising-resources O U R M A K E A S P L AS H W I N T E R C H A L L E N G E I S B AC K A N D B E T T E R T H A N E V E R !

RLSS UK has a proud history of helping to reduce the number of lives lost to drowning since 1891, when William Henry founded the Life Saving Society – and this is where we’ve drawn inspiration to create this fundraising challenge!

This year, we are challenging you to swim 1891m between October – December (or the equivalent of 76 lengths of a 25m swimming pool) Here’s why you need to make sure you don’t miss out: •

Get moving and feel physically and mentally healthier through the dark and cold nights of winter

•

Entry is only £18.91 per person

•

Every participant will receive a medal for their achievement

Whilst this challenge is primarily designed to promote your own health and wellbeing, it would be amazing if you can fundraise for us! By raising just £75 (roughly £1 per length), you could enable us to teach water safety to a classroom of children.

Take the plunge at: www.rlss.org.uk/ make-a-splash-1891-challenge

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CO N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO O U R S E R P E N T I N E SW I M M E RS !

Nine members of #TeamRLSSUK took part in Swim Serpentine in September – a swimming event that takes place in the world-famous Serpentine Lake, in London’s Hyde Park.

This open water event saw swimmers swim either half, one, two, or six miles. A huge well done to everyone that took part, not only for all the training and effort required for the swim, but also for fundraising for RLSS UK. We count ourselves very lucky to have such amazing supporters!

Fundraising

2-6 DECEMBER:

Jingle Bells!

RLSS UK MARKS UK CHARITY WEEK 2024

Fundraising is vital to our success in reducing the amount of drowning tragedies and accidents that happen every year. Your support is an essential and a valued part of the ongoing delivery of water safety education and lifesaving skills.

UK Charity Week is an opportunity for us to not only celebrate the vital work we have done this year, but to also raise funds to help continue our work. We’d love for you to get involved and help us make a difference – here’s just a few ideas of how you can sprinkle the cheer this festive season:

Wear your Christmas jumper with pride!

Ask colleagues and friends to wear a Christmas jumper in return for a donation of £3. Then raid your wardrobe for the most dazzling, delightful, and downright goofy Christmas jumper you can find. Whether it lights up, jingles, or features a festive feline – the more festive, the better!

Download your poster and order your donation box from www. rlss.org.uk/fundraising-resources Alternatively, you can donate to our online Christmas Appeal – by hanging a Christmas jumper on the line in memory of, or celebration of someone special: https://visufund.com/ charities/royal-life-savingsociety-uk

Don your best apron, have your icing at the ready and...

HOST YOUR OWN RLSS UK’S CHRISTMAS BIG BAKE! Join us as we deck the halls and spread sweetness for RLSS UK’s Big Bake! This is the perfect opportunity to indulge your sweet tooth, while supporting our important water safety education work.

Don’t forget to send in photos of your events, or tag us in your social media posts - @rlssuk

Donate

Online:

Donations can be made via our website www.rlss.org.uk/donate - for any amount that you are able to give. You can either donate a one-off amount or set-up regular payments via direct debit.

to support our work Text:

Another really easy and simple way to support our fundraising efforts is to donate £5 to ensure everyone can Enjoy Water Safely.

To do this, text RLSSUK001 to 70970

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Fundraising

#TeamRLSSUK Our fundraisers have been absolutely smashing their challenges this year – whether it’s in the pool, sea or on the road! They’ve also been raising vital funds to help with our water safety education work.

A huge thanks and well done to everyone who has supported us this year!

Daniel Owens

Jill, Joy, Amanda, Diane and Jessica (The LUSTY’s)

Vanessa Vajana

Michael Gray

Algie Fooks

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Kings School

Fundraising

Youngsters from Pitmaston Primary School

Cath Pendleton

Amelia Hill

Tamsyn Duffy Paolo Romanengo & Paolo Covini

Aqua Parks

Want to take on a fundraising challenge for RLSS UK? There are lots of ways you can get involved – check out our fundraising pages for tips and inspiration!

Here’s how our

fundraisers make a difference

Teaches a child

a water safety lesson

Trains a volunteer

to teach water safety

Teaches a classroom

of children in water safety

Trains someone to be a lifeguard

who would otherwise not have the opportunity

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Corporate Partnerships

Corporate PARTNERSHIPS

Read more below about one of our recent Corporate Sponsorship partners that we’ve paired up with to help share important lifesaving messages on a large scale as we look to reach even more people with our vital water safety education.

O N T H E B E AC H We joined package holiday company, On The Beach, to help raise awareness around safer swimsuit colours – encouraging Brits looking to go abroad to take the time to get educated around water safety.

On The Beach’s research highlighted that two thirds (66%) of children wear blue, white or grey swimwear which is less visible underwater, meaning that if they get into trouble swimming, they are extremely hard to spot - bright is best!

Supporting this call to action and focus on water safety this summer, On the Beach is now sharing RLSS UK’s water

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safety advice with families who book a holiday, to help highlight the importance of water safety education.

After sharing that she was unaware of the visibility issues around certain coloured swimwear, Olympic gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington, is also helping to spread awareness around water safety amongst parents.

Commenting on the campaign, Matt Croxall, Interim Charity Director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: “At the Royal Life Saving Society UK, it is our mission to ensure that everyone enjoys water safely. We’re delighted that On the Beach is working hard to raise awareness of the importance of water safety.

Corporate Sponsorship

“We would urge parents to choose brightly coloured swimwear for their children while planning their holidays, rather than colours such as blue, white and grey, which are more difficult to see underwater.

Brightly coloured swimwear makes it even easier to keep your child under constant supervision when playing and swimming in the water.”

With coverage secured in Daily Mail, The Independent and Daily Record just to name a few – we hope we helped make a real difference to parents and young families travelling abroad this year.

Introducing R L S S U K ’S N E W ST R AT EG I C PA RT N E RS H I P S M A N AG E R

Read below to hear a few words from our new Strategic Partnerships Manager, Rachel Smith!

“Becoming part of the team at RLSS UK has been fantastic! From day one, I’ve felt like part of the team that delivers the backbone of lifesaving awards and qualifications, helping to spread water safety messaging far and wide. I’m finding it incredibly fulfilling to work for an organisation that encourages water activity as a sport, as a pastime, and as a way of life – while also being mindful of the very real risks that water can pose.

“I love that I work for a charity where – if we do our jobs right – you will never need to know loss due to drowning, and you will be empowered, confident and safe when you ride the waves, splash about in your paddling pool, or dive into deep waters.

“My role as Strategic Partnerships Manager is to develop relationships with organisations and charities that align with our vision of empowering individuals and communities throughout the UK – to enjoy being in, on or near water safely, and I’m enjoying seeing our charitable work through the lenses of all our partnerships.

“From our partnership with Child Bereavement UK, where we reach out to support those who have faced loss due to drowning; to Greece-based non-profit organisation Safe Water Sports, which promotes the safest places to enjoy water sports while on holiday; to our research partners who work with us to understand the risks and influencing factors of getting into trouble in water, using this research to drive innovative campaigning and technological development in the industry.

“I love how varied my role is and I’m excited to continue collaborating with likeminded organisations across the UK!”

I love that I work for a charity where – if we do our jobs right – you will never need to know loss due to drowning, and you will be empowered, confident and safe when you ride the waves, splash about in your paddling pool, or dive into deep waters.

If you think you know of a company that would be interested in starting a conversation with us, please contact us at marketing@rlss.org.uk or point them in our direction!

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RLSS Commonwealth

NEWS U P DAT E F RO M T H E ROYA L L I F E SAV I N G S O C I E T Y – CO M M O N W E A LT H H E A D Q UA RT E RS On 3 May 2024, the society received notification that His Majesty King Charles III had accepted the Patronage to the Royal Life Saving Society. We were delighted to receive this news as it maintains the link between the reigning Monarch and the society which was established in 1904. As with Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who was our Patron for over seventy years, the King holds proficiency awards of the society and obtained his Bronze Medallion in 1962.

In 2010, the Royal Life Saving Society became an accredited organisation to the Commonwealth Secretariat. Since that time, we have attended meetings and

events hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat and had the opportunity to engage with staff at the Secretariat, and other accredited organisations to promote drowning prevention to a wider audience.

Last year, the Commonwealth commenced a re-accreditation process for all organisations accredited to the Commonwealth and at the beginning of 2024 we submitted our application.

In June of this year, we were pleased to be informed that the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth had formally approved the reaccreditation of the Royal Life Saving Society as a Commonwealth accredited organisation in the ‘Professional and Civil Society organisation’ category. This re-accreditation provides us with the opportunity to promote the activities of and advocate for our 32 members around the Commonwealth.

2 0 2 3 M O U N T BAT T E N A N D R U S S E L L M E DA L S The 2023 Mountbatten Medal has been awarded to Lee Maree from South Africa.

In February 2023, Lee was enjoying time on the beach with friends when he was alerted to a youngster who was being swept out to sea by a strong rip current.

Lee reacted immediately, swimming out through the turbulent surf without a floatation or rescue equipment. He reached the drowning man and after calming and securing the casualty, towed him back to the safety of the shore – a distance of 600m – manoeuvring through rough conditions with large waves rolling over them. Once back on shore, the medics treated the man for secondary drowning.

The 2023 Russell Medal has been awarded to 17-year-old Ella McIlveen from Western Australia. Ella was driving along a freeway with her brother when they witnessed a significant collision between a pedestrian and a truck. Ella stopped her car and approached the pedestrian who was unconscious on the ground and not breathing. She quickly took charge, organising bystanders and calling the emergency services.

After administering first aid to control bleeding from a head wound, Ella began performing CPR and after a few minutes the casualty began breathing independently. Ella continued to provide first aid until the emergency services arrived.

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Don’t forget that if you hear of a rescue that you think should be considered for the Mountbatten or Russell Medal, please visit www.rlsscommonwealth.org/rlss-about/honours-andawards-for-bravery/ For more information around how to make a nomination, visit https://www.rlsscommonwealth.org/rlss-about/honoursand-awards-nomination-forms/

A note from the President

FOR ALL YOUR LIFESAVING & LIFEGUARDING NEEDS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

100% of all profit goes into helping us educate more people to enjoy water safely.

SHOP NOW

SHOP.RLSS.ORG.UK

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LOVIBOND WATER TESTING

Precise and efficient water testing is critical for any swimming pool, especially for those open to the public.

Lovibond equipment provides accurate and reliable results and is our recommended brand of testing equipment and pool chemicals.

All available to purchase through RLSS UK Shop.

Ensure you’re prepared for any emergency with our comprehensive range of First Aid equipment.

From compact Pocket Masks to fully stocked First Aid Kits, our products are designed to provide you with peace of mind and essential support in emergency situations.

shop.rlss.org.uk