The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has launched a new explainer video to educate the general public about Lifesaving Sport.
Filmed at the prestigious Loughborough University Swimming Pool, the new video features the 2023 England Team of Lifesaving Sport athletes. The video will provide viewers with more insight into Lifesaving Sport; the only sport in the world to have been born from humanitarian origins.
Originally developed to improve the physical and mental agility of lifeguards, Lifesaving Sport has grown into an international competitive swimming discipline that tests fitness, rescue and first aid skills. Although not widely known, Lifesaving Sport is recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation.
As the National Governing Body for pool-based Lifesaving Sport, RLSS UK hopes that this new video will increase participation in the sport and attract new members to Lifesaving Clubs around the UK and Ireland.
RLSS UK Charity Director, Lee Heard, said: “Lifesaving Sport is a fantastic way to springboard your journey into lifesaving – and it’s safe to say that no two training sessions or competitions are the same.
“With our Rookie Lifeguard Programme, you can get into Lifesaving Sport from as young as eight years old. Lifesaving Sport seeks to teach essential lifesaving skills through a variety of fun and challenging activities that take place in and out of the water at swimming pools and the beach.
“We hope this video will help to encourage more people to get involved with this unique sport. All you’ll need is some swimming ability and lots of enthusiasm – you’ll learn the skills along the way!”
Lifesaving is not only a highly competitive and dynamic international sport, but also a vehicle for engaging young people in lifesaving and RLSS UK’s humanitarian goal to prevent drowning. In 2022, tragically 37 people aged 19 and under died from accidental drowning in the UK, and RLSS UK hopes that its new video will inspire children, teenagers and young adults to learn valuable lifesaving skills through sport.
Individual events include Manikin Tows, Line Throws, Obstacles and Simulated Emergency Response.
For further details about Lifesaving Sport, visit: www.rlss.org.uk/lifesaving-sport
