• What will the swimmers learn?

There are eight sections within the course;
o Water safety
o Self- rescue and Survival
o Rescue
o Casualty care and emergency response
o Swimming Development
o Water sports
o Team building Challenges
o Initiative Training

Water Safety

In this part of the course students will learn why water can be dangerous and will learn how to spot the dangers in and around the water. Students will also learn the water safety code and how to use it. Other areas include accident prevention and general water safety in swimming pools and open water areas such as rivers, lakes and coastline and how to call the emergency services.

Self- Rescue and survival

Survival is the ability to look after you and others in an emergency situation and in this section, students will learn survival based strokes and skills as well as various strategies in open water. Through practice and discussion pupils will gain an understanding of cold water immersion and hypothermia, tides and currents and sensory depravation.

Rescue

In this part of the course students will learn how to recognize people in difficulty in the water and how to respond the correct way. Swimmers will be taught a number of rescue techniques from land and in the water as well as entries and exits, using rescue equipment, making an action plan, escape methods and working as part of a team.

Casualty care and emergency response

Following a rescue, students will learn how to offer support to casualties and bystanders during and after an emergency situation. Skills such as C.P.R (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), management of choking, control of bleeding, care of an unconscious casualty and treatment of shock will be covered in this section.

Swimming Development

In all groups swimmers will build on their stroke technique, develop their all round fitness level and learn lifesaving and water polo strokes and skills Attention to watermanship skills such as diving, entering water from a height, sculling and treading water will also be taught through varying degrees of difficulty.

Water Games

As a fun element to the course, regular games and activities will included to enhance student interaction and enable them to develop their skills further. Traditional games such as water polo, basketball and volleyball will be taught as well as non- traditional ones to stimulate, challenge and motivate swimmers towards an enjoying a healthy lifestyle.

Team Building Challenges

Frequently students will be given tasks, which will require them to work together to achieve a common goal. Throughout each challenge, participants will learn teamwork, practice leadership skills, improve listening skills and appreciate individual differences. In addition, the activities set will help build self-confidence and improve interpersonal relationships within the group.

Initiative Training

All lifesaving scenarios require the use of initiative and judgment in applying trained skills to unknown emergencies. Through practice and discussion students will learn how to deal with the unexpected and will acquire the knowledge and skill to undertake a safe and effective rescue under pressure.

• What are the Royal Lifesaving Awards?

The Royal Lifesaving Society is the UK governing body for lifesaving and lifeguarding and is the leading drowning prevention organisation.