Teaching lifesaving as a separate skill is outdated. It needs to become an integrated part of all aquatic sports. People are looking for fun or extreme sports where they can explore their limits. Good swimming skills in general and lifesaving training in particular are essential for this.

In this section we show you a few rescue skills which you should practice yourself and teach to your team. Frequent training makes these skills almost automatic so that any emergency response becomes almost routine. Learn how to recognize the signs of someone in distress and give them first aid.

Good rescue skills enable you to perform an effective rescue and live to tell the story. Assess your abilities in regular intervals. Keep practicing in open water or swimming pools under realistic conditions. This keeps you up to speed and alert.

Practice Survival Swimming before you begin a lifesaving class. It is an important pre-requisite for lifesaving training and great fun. You'll need a swimsuit, change of clothes that can get wet, tennis shoes, towel, sunscreen, bag lunch, and altruistic leanings.

Rescue Priorities
Shout Signal Reach Throw Wade Row Swim with an aid Swim without an aid

Your safety is of utmost importance. Whatever you do, avoid putting yourself in danger. There is no need to add yourself to the casualty list.

Some types of rescues are safer than others. If the first is unsuccessful (or impossible), try the next one on the list. Only as a last resort use a rescue tow.

Think before you act !

Before you jump in and go for a casualty, assess the situation, the condition of the casualty and your own safety. Only enter the water if you have no alternative and can do so safely.

Lifesaving is a sport for everyone and a lot more fun than swimming up and down. It is a valuable community skill that could save lives.

But many lifesaving clubs focus on competitions or passing exams rather than training for real life survival. The pool water is warm and clear, no wind, no waves, no sunburn, everyone just in swim wear. Life is easy!

The real world is different. It can be hot or cold, with murky water, currents, waves and obstacles. Research shows that every 17 hours someone in the UK drowns, with an average 400 to 500 people drowning each year.

Drowning is the most common cause of accidental death among under 15 year olds. Men account for 8 out of every 10 drowning victims. In the 18-34 year old age group, 90% are men.

Most of the victims of drowning are described as good or strong swimmers, therefore, it is not just sufficient to know how to swim, but swimmers also need to know how to keep safe.

On the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, lifeguards often have to rescue fully clothed victims who got caught in the waves. The casualties couldn't cope as they have never been trained in survival swimming.

In Japan, police officials reported that about 1,200 people drown each year. Around 25% of them were found in a swimsuit. The other 75% drowned wearing clothes while doing activities such as boating or working near water. They were not able to cope with the how the clothes slowed them down in the water and got exhausted quickly.

Can you honestly say you're adequately prepared for this?