Rookie Lifesavers

Lifesavers, the Royal Life Saving Society UK was founded in 1891 and is the UK governing body for Lifesaving and Lifeguarding. NSVL is just one of around 500 lifeguard and lifesaving clubs in the country.

NSVL can offer the full range of Lifesaver's challenging and exciting awards and qualifications, which allow people of all ages to handle any situation that demands lifesaving, lifeguarding and life support skills. Becoming a lifesaver means you could make a crucial difference when it counts.

Although saving lives is a serious business, that doesn't mean it can't be fun. It's up to you how involved you want to get - whether it's just a recreational swim or a fitness thing, you can train how you want to.

Whatever your intentions and abilities, with over 200 members you are sure to find someone at the same level.

We also have a great social side to the club, with regular pizza nights and other social events.

New members are always welcome, just drop in to any of our sessions and see if you want to get involved.

You can come along for a week to take part, with no obligation to join the club (beach sessions are free, but you must pay £2 pool entry if taking part in a pool session). If you do decide to join then annual membership rates are only £15 for adults and £7.50 for under-18s. Pool entry is £2 per week, all beach sessions are free.

Members qualify for a range of other benefits, including discounts at local surf shops and a free fun pool session (for juniors and adults) at the end of each school term.

Please note: due to high demand there is a waiting list for Rookies (aged-6-11) and Youth Lifesavers (aged 12-15).

Our pool sessions take place at Tynemouth Pool, while beach sessions take place from our beach headquarters on the Central Lower Promenade, Whitley Bay. Check the 'Upcoming...' tab at the top of the page to find the next session. 

Awards Overview - from 6 to 66

The following is a list of all awards that are available. To view brief details of what each award comprises, click on the '+' button, or click on the main heading for each group of awards to go to that section of the website.

Junior Lifesaving - Pool based, 6-12 years
Rookie Lifesavers Children aged between 6 and 11 can become a Rookie Lifesaver and participate in club, branch and regional activities and follow a carefully planned Lifesaving skills programme for young people, but in an action packed environment. The programme is divided into four areas; Water Safety, Rescue, Self Rescue and Emergency Response and aims to:
- teach lifesaving skills
- increase swimming competence
- develop survival skills in water
- develop confidence, initiative, judgement
- develop teamwork and leadership
- BE FUN!

There are over 40,000 Rookies in the UK and the number is growing. The Rookie programme can suit anyone, you do not need to be an Olympic Swimmer or an expert lifesaver. The programme also meets the requirements of the National Curriculum.

Click for more information for parents about NSVL's Rookie club.

Introductory Lifesaving - Pool based, but with minimal swimming, age 12 to adults
Lifesaving 1 These awards introduce the basic aquatic lifesaving skills and provide a good preparation for the Bronze Medallion. Lifesaving 1, 2, 3 are three separate and progressive awards and cover the swimming requirement for GCSE for PE. They may also be used at Bronze level for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Service.

AIM: Lifesaving is a stand-alone award for adults who want to learn skills that would enable them to rescue children who may unintentionally fall into water. It is also particuarly suitable for a person who may be confident in the water but not yet able to swim a great distance.

SKILLS:
- Casualty identification
- Reaching rescue
- Wading rescue
- Accompanied rescue
- Incident training
- Knowledge of:
- Water Safety
- Principles of water rescue
- Dangers of open water
- Seeking help
Lifesaving 2 AIM: To test further the candidate's judgement and skill, using rescue techniques and principles involving the minimum of risk, accomplished through the use of non-contact rescues. Candidates are also required to show the ability to care for casualties following rescue.

SKILLS:
- Action for vomiting
- Recovery position
- Casualty recognition
- Land-based rescue
- Accompanied rescue
- Defences
- Initiative rescues

- Theory of:
- Casualty recognition
- Principles of water rescue
- Water safety code
Lifesaving 3
AIM: To test the candidate's knowledge of casualty recognition with the appropriate application of rescue skills and life support skills to show the application of contact rescues of unconscious casualties and the involvement of untrained bystanders. This award provides a level of preparation for the RLSS UK Bronze Medallion.

SKILLS:
- Casualty recognition
- Water-based rescues of unconscious casualty
- In-water rescue breathing
- Land-based rescue breathing
- Recovery position
- Recovery of a submerged 'casualty'
- Initiative rescues
- Theory of:

- Water safety in the home
- Local water safety
- Recreational water safety

Higher Lifesaving - Pool based, with extensive swimming, age 13 to adults
Bronze Medallion (13+)
Established more than 100 years ago, The Bronze Medallion is still recognised as the flagship award for lifesaving. Many hundreds of thousands of adults and children, have been awarded their Bronze Medallion. The award is designed to establish competent levels of knowledge combined with practical rescue skills in simulated open water emergencies. Training and assessment is undertaken in a swimming pool.

New candidates undergo around 20 hours of training prior to a formal assessment that will incorporate the following:
- Life support techniques
- Theory about water safety
- Rescue principles
- Practical sessions covering land based and wading rescue
- Test of strength and stamina - a timed swim with clothing of 100
- metres including a 50 metre tow
- Rescue of struggling casualty
- Submerged casualty resuscitation rescue
- Simulated incident involving the rescue of two casualties

Minimum age for candidates is 13 years (12 years for holders of an Assistant Beach Lifesaver Award or Rookie Star Grade level 4 or Lifesaving 3). Candidates must also complete the syllabus and assessment for Life Support.

The Bronze Medallion can be taken as part of the GCSE PE swimming element and can form a section within the Duke of Edinburgh Award (Service) at Bronze or Silver level.
Award of Merit (14+) You need to be able to swim faster and further than for the Bronze Medallion as the Award of Merit is more technically demanding than the Bronze Medallion.

Distinction (14+)
The Distinction is the highest lifesaving award, and requires candidates to have experience of open water lifesaving and achieved the Silver Cross. Candidates must swim faster and further and be more skilled than for the Award of Merit!

Open Water Lifesaving - age 12 to adults
Assistant Beach Lifesaver Award
An award for younger people, or those who are aiming to be beach lifeguards and offers introductory training in the skills and knowledge required for beach lifeguarding.
Bronze Cross
A lifesaving award designed to establish competent levels of ability in an open water rescue.
Silver Cross
The Silver Cross is included as a prerequisite for the Distinction Award. It is a lifesaving award designed to establish proficient levels of knowledge and practical ability in open water situations.

Life Support and First Aid - Land based, all ages
Life Support
This aims to establish a competent level of knowledge and skill to administer effective Basic Life Support including the diagnosis and treatment of choking, bleeding and shock.

Life Support is now included as part of the Bronze Medallion, or can be taken as a separate award.
Life Support 3
Designed to establish excellent levels of knowledge and ability to administer Basic Life Support to casualties of all ages (adult, child and infant) and in a variety of emergency situations. This is the highest level of life support accreditation and is a pre-requisite for the Distinction Award.
Heartstart (Community-based)
The Heartstart programme has been devised by the British Heart Foundation and is a 2-hour community course based on a video which introduces the recovery position, adult life support, and treatment for choking, heart attack and bleeding.

Courses are free and can be organised to suit a particular group's needs, either at our training venue or at a venue suitable for you.

More information on the Heartstart Programme.
Airway Management
Airway management is the use of oxygen and suction in order to maintain a clear airway and assist a casualty's breathing.

It can be undertaken by lifeguards holding a current National Pool or Beach Lifeguard Qualification, and is usually coupled with defibrillation training.
Defibrillation
Training in Extended Life Support Techniques using an AED (Automated Emergency Defibrillator) can be provided in the work place and to First Responder teams in the community where ambulance access may be delayed.

Click for more information on defibrillator training.
Save a Baby's Life (Community-based)
This 2-hour programme is delivered to carers of infants. It covers what to do in an emergency situation involving choking, drowning or cessation of breathing in babies up to 12 months.

Click on this link if you would like to organise a Save a Baby's Life course.
HSE First Aid at Work - 18+
Non-RLSS.

A 24-hour course usually run over 4 days to gain a First Aid qualification recognised by employers across the UK.

Click on this link for more information on First Aid courses.
HSE Appointed Person First Aid - 16+
Non-RLSS.

A 12-hour course usually run over 2 days for a basic introduction to first aid, recognised by employers across the UK.

Click on this link for more information on First Aid courses.

Emergency Response (Open Water)
Emergency Response (Open Water)
This is a basic rescue programme designed to provide training in safe land based rescue techniques and rescue aids. It is designed for those working in an open space adjacent to water including park wardens, rangers, gardeners and farmers.

Click on this link for more information on Emergency Response Awards
Emergency Response (Outdoor Activities Supervisor)
A rescue test specifically designed for those supervising adventure activities at open water locations. It includes an assessment in the local site emergency action plan and the use of appropriate rescue equipment.

Click on this link for more information on Emergency Response Awards
Safe Anglers - Safe Banks (Community-based)
A 2-3 hour programme trains anglers in rescue skills. Very often anglers are the first people on the scene in potential drowning incidents. Knowing how to effect a rescue can save lives. Programmes can be delivered at a location suitable for you.

Emergency Response (Swimming Pool)
Emergency Response (Swimming Pool)
This is a basic award designed to assess competence in using poolside rescue aids, casualty resuscitation and safe poolside rescue techniques acting in a supportive role.

Click on this link for more information on Emergency Response Awards
National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches
This is an assessment in practical lifesaving skills that may be needed by anyone teaching or coaching swimming or another programmed or structured activity in a pool. It is endorsed by the Amateur Swimming Association, The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management and The Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches.

The award is also recognised in 'Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools' as being appropriate for those supervising swimming pool programmed activities.

Click on this link for more information on Emergency Response Awards
Rescue Test for Supervisors of Swimmers with Disabilities
This award is designed to assess a basic level of competence in lifesaving and life support for anyone engaged in the supervision of swimming for people with disabilities in a swimming pool.

The award is not a recognised pool lifeguard qualification, but is intended for those who have the responsibility for supervising swimmers with disabilities.

Required skills covered in the award include:

- Swimming 20 metres on the front and back
- Entering and exiting the water safely
- Non-contact rescue
- Wading rescue
- Two person extended rescue
- Assisting a casualty to leave the water
- Contact tow rescue
- Resuscitation rescue
- Recovery of a submerged casualty
- Single person CPR
- Initiative rescue and theory of:
- Principles of Session Management
- Accident Prevention
- Basic First Aid
- Pool Safety Operating Procedures

Click on this link for more information on Emergency Response Awards

Lifeguarding - age 16 and over
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
The aim of the qualification is to establish competence in pool lifeguard skills including water rescue and life support for personnel employed or as volunteers in the leisure industry as a swimming pool lifeguard. The syllabus covers the criteria laid down in the Health and Safety Commission publication 'Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools'

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
- Principles of pool design and risk factors
- Water safety and accident prevention
- Role of the Lifeguard
- Pool observations and supervision skills
- Principles of written operating procedures
- Poolside rescue equipment
- Drowning, dry drowning and secondary drowning

SKILLS:
- Scanning, observation and supervision skills
- Use of poolside rescue equipment
- Communication methods
- Casualty recognition
- Principles of rescue and manual handling
- Fitness training
- The concept of progressive rescue
- Spinal cord injury management
- CPR and First Aid

Follow this link for comprehensive pool lifeguard information.
National Beach Lifeguard Qualification
Designed to establish competence for beach lifeguards responsible for the safety of those using an open water location for recreational purposes. The syllabus covers the criteria laid down in the joint Lifesavers and RoSPA publications Safety on British Beaches and Safety at Inland Water Sites.

Follow this link for comprehensive beach lifeguard information.
Rescue Boat Crew and Helm
Can only be taken by qualified beach lifeguards holding a current National Beach Lifeguard qualification or its equivalent. They include training and assessment to become a rescue boat helmsman or crewman.

Training and Assessing age 14+ / 18+
Assistant Teacher (Lifesaving) 14+
This is an introduction to the core teaching skills to effectively deliver lifesaving competance and knowledge to lifesavers of all ages, levels and abilities whilst working under the supervision of a Lifesaving Trainer Assessor.
Trainer Assessor (Lifesaving / ELS / Pool and Beach Lifeguard / Rescue Boat)
Following their successful attendance on foundation and specialist modules, a Trainer Assessor is qualified to train and assess lifesavers or lifeguards and develop the lifesaving or lifeguard programmes. The Pool and Beach Lifeguard Trainer Assessor training programmes have been developed in close consultation with the leisure industry.
Mentor (Lifesaving)
To provide support and advice for lifesaving volunteers, lifesaving Assistant Teachers, Trainer Assessors and candidates for awards.
National Trainer Assessor (all disciplines)
To lead, support, guide and assess all previous levels of the education and training programme, monitor and report on the standards of training and assessing activities and support the development of Trainer Assessors.
Staff National Trainer Assessor (all disciplines)
To lead, support, guide and assess at all levels of the education and training programme and to provide training for National Trainer Assessors.