Rookie Lifeguard
The Rookie Lifeguard programme is the junior award scheme of the RLSS Ireland. For most children Rookie Lifeguard will be the first opportunity to explore water safety and alternative safe aquatic play.
The Rookie skills make Rookies aware of how to take better care of themselves, their family and friends, and give them the information they need to promote water safety in their day to day activities. The awards contain survival, rescue and sports skills as well as Life Support and water safety elements.
Rookie Lifeguard is primarily aimed at children aged 8 – 12 years although most of the skills can be taught to people of all ages. Starting with Stage 1 of the Bronze Award and progressing through to Stage 3 of the Gold Award, Rookie Lifeguard begins at an ability level suitable for swimmers who have just learned to swim and progresses to the level of performing Lifesaving tows.
Also part of the Rookie Lifeguard Programme are the Water Safety, Life Support and Bolt-on Awards. These Bolt-on Awards offer varied extra skills, wet and dry, that Rookies can achieve to push themselves further and provide encouragement between the core awards.
Rookie Lifeguard is part of the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS) developed by the Amateur Swimming Association although it can also be run as a stand-alone course by Lifesaving Clubs, Leisure Centres, Swim schools and as part of School swimming lessons. The Rookie Lifeguard Water Safety Award fulfils all of the Key Stage 2 water safety elements of the National Curriculum.
Survive and Save Programme
“Survive & Save” is the new lifesaving standard. There are Bronze, Silver and Gold Levels for you to take part in. You can also choose any one of Medallion, Beach, Stillwater or Sport programmes as areas to specialize in for each medal category.
You can complete just one or all four of the specialist areas before you move on to the next medal. Once you have completed the “Survive & Save” programme there is still the ultimate challenge for you – the Distinction Award. This is presented when you have successfully completed 3 Gold Level categories.
The new “Survive & Save” programme has been reviewed and developed over several years with many trainers, committees and candidates contributing to a new and exciting format for our clubs, trainers and YOU the candidate.
“Survive & Save” is the most significant update to the Senior Awards programme for a generation and we are confident that you will find the programme interesting, stimulating, challenging and rewarding.
So, before you explore our new “Survive & Save” Awards let me wish you luck on a journey that will equip you with the tools to not only save your own life, but maybe someone else’s!
People are still drowning and together we can keep adding to our elite army of trained lifesavers who will continue to “Safeguard lives in, on or near water”.