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Lifesaving 1, 2, 3

These awards introduce basic aquatic Lifesaving skills and provide good preparation for the Bronze Medallion.  There is no minimum candidate age for these awards which are often used to achieve the swimming requirements for GCSE PE and Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.  These awards are ideal for adults progressing from learn to swim schemes.  There are no prerequisites and whilst they are progressive they can be started at any level.  

Bronze Medallion

The Bronze Medallion is the flagship award for Lifesaving.  The syllabus develops fitness, skill, judgement and knowledge, and the candidates will have the opportunity to achieve a vocationally recognised Life Support qualification as part of the award.  The minimum candidate age is 13 years, this reduces to 12 years for holders of Rookie Gold level 3, Lifesaving 3 or Assistant Beach Lifeguard award.  There are no prerequisites for the Bronze Medallion.

Award of Merit

This award progresses from the Bronze Medallion requiring candidates to demonstrate a higher level of fitness, skill, judgement and knowledge during simulated open water situations in a swimming pool.  The minimum age for this award is 14 years.  The prerequisites for the award are to hold of have held a Bronze Medallion or higher, and to hold a current Life Support qualification. 

Distinction

This award progresses from the Award of Merit requiring candidates to demonstrate excellence in fitness, skill, judgement and knowledge during simulated open water situations in a swimming pool.  The minimum candidate age for this award is 14 years.  The prerequisites for the award are to hold or have held an Award of Merit or higher, to hold or have held the Silver Cross, and hold a current Life Support qualification.
 

Assistant Beach Lifeguard

This award is for those who want to learn the introductory skills of Beach Lifeguarding.  The syllabus trains the basic skills used by all Beach Lifeguards.  The minimum candidate age for this award is 12 years.  Other than good fitness, eyesight and ability to swim, there are no prerequisites for this award.

Bronze Cross

The Bronze Cross is the first senior open water award of the Society.  The syllabus develops fitness, skill, judgement and knowledge specific to open water rescue, and the assessment takes place in open water.  The minimum candidate age for this award is 14 years.  The prerequisites for the award are to hold or have held a Bronze Medallion and hold a current Life Support qualification (this maybe taken as part of the Bronze Medallion Course). 

Silver Cross

This award progresses from the Bronze Cross.  The syllabus trains a higher standard of fitness, skill, judgement and knowledge specific to open water rescue, and the assessment takes place in open water.  The minimum candidate age for this award is 14 years.  The prerequisites for the award are to hold or have held a Bronze Medallion, hold or have held the Bronze Cross and hold a current Life Support qualification.  

Community Life Support

This short programme trains members of the community in the practical application of Basic Life Support, caring for an unconscious casualty and basic first aid through attendance and participation on a familiarisation seminar.  There is no minimum candidate age, and there are no prerequisites for this programme.  This is not a vocational qualification.  

 Save A Baby's Life

This short programme is designed for carers of infants.  It covers basic water safety and what to do in an emergency situation involving chocking, drowning or cessation of breathing in babies up to 12 months.  There is no minimum candidate age, and there are no prerequisites for this programme.  This is not a vocational qualification.
 

Diploma

The Diploma is a Commonwealth award granted for the successful submission of a comprehensive (research) project that will add to the knowledge and information base of the Society's work.  The award acknowledges an individuals extensive level of service, knowledge and expertise.  

 Life Support Award

This award establishes an effective level of skill in Basic Life Support and in the diagnosis and treatment of choking, bleeding, and shock.  There is no minimum candidate age, and there are no prerequisites for this qualification.  

 Competition Judge

This training leads to inclusion on the national list of judges for Lifesaving and Lifeguarding competitions.  The prerequisite for this award is a full T/A qualification. 

To establish competence in Pool Lifeguard skills including water rescue and life support for personnel employed in the leisure industry as a Pool Lifeguard.  The syllabus covers the criteria laid down in the Health & Safety Executive publication 'Managing Health & Safety in Swimming Pools.'  The minimum candidate age for this qualification is 16 years.  Other than good general fitness, eyesight, and ability to swim, there are no prerequisites for this award.  

This Lifeguard qualification trains the skills required by those responsible for the direct supervision and safety of those using open water locations for recreational purposes.  The syllabus covers the criteria established in the joint RLSS UK/RoSPA publications 'Safety on Beaches' and 'Safety and Inland Water Sites.'  The minimum candidate age for this qualification is 16 years.  Other than good general fitness, eyesight and ability to swim, there are no prerequisites for this award.  

This qualification trains the practical Lifesaving skills that may be needed by anyone teaching or coaching swimming or another programmed activity in the pool.  The qualification is endorsed by the Amateur Swimming Association, the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management and the Institue of Swimming.  It is also recognised in 'Managing Health & Safety in Swimming Pools' as being appropriate for those supervising specified programmed activites.  The minimum candidate age for this qualification is 16 years.  There are no prerequisites for this qualification.  This is not a Lifeguard qualification.  

The Emergency Response Certificate (Swimming Pools) is a Certificate of Water Rescue Competence for staff working in a facility where there is a swimming pool but where there is no direct poolside supervision.  In addition, the qualification will apply where pool operators wish to provide a suitable programme of training and independent assessment for ancillary staff who may act in support of the lifeguard team.  This is not a Lifeguard qualification.

The ER-AS qualification has been specifically designed for those supervising aquatic activities at open water locations.  The syllabus trains candidates to a level of competence in land and water based rescue techniques, basic first aid and Life Support.  The minimum candidate age is 16 years.  There are no prerequisites for this qualification.  This is not a Lifeguard qualification.  

The ER-OW qualification has been specifically designed for people who work near or around water such as park wardens, rangers, gardeners or farmers, who don't have any direct responsibilty for aquatic safety but may be expected to respond during an emergency.  The syllabus trains candidates to a level of competence in land based rescue techniques, basic first aid and Life Support.  The minimum candidate age for this qualification is 16 years.  There are no prerequisites for this qualification.  This is not a Lifeguard qualification.  

This qualification is specifically for serving police officers and offers training in water safety, Life Support and aquatic rescue as they apply to their normal duties.  

This qualification is designed specifically for lifeguards, teachers, coaches and helpers who may be required to assist in a rescue situation whilst responsible for the supervision of swimmers who have disabilities.  The minimum candidate age for this qualification is 16 years.  There are no prerequisites for this qualification.  This is not a Lifeguard qualification.  

New Edition Due 2009.

This qualification establishes an excellent level of skills in Life Support for casualties of all ages and in the diagnosis and treatment of cessation of breathing, choking, bleeding and shock.  There is no minimum candidate age, and there are no prerequisites for this qualification.