The Royal Lifesaving Society is the Commonwealth's largest water-safety education, lifesaving and lifeguard training Organisation and is represented in over 50 diverse countries with over two million lifesaving and resuscitation awards taken annually worldwide.

The Society was formed in 1891 and has had Royal Patronage since 1904. Her Majesty the Queen is the Society's Patron. HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO is the extremely active Commonwealth President of the Society.

The Society encourages the development of sustainable lifesaving programmes and organisations throughout the Commonwealth with the common aim of reducing death by drowning by educating all in water safety, rescue techniques and resuscitation. The latest World Health Organisation figures show that over 500,000 people die from drowning in the world annually. These figures do not include the exceptional figures of 2004 when an additional 300,000 died as a result of the tsunami. The Society's humanitarian work is committed to reduce this unacceptable waste of human life as in many instances those drowning are children and young people. Through education and training, our aim is to turn bystanders into lifesavers, equipping people to help them to learn the skill of saving a life and make a difference in dangerous circumstances.


Lifesaving as a Sport

Lifesaving Events like the Quinquennial
Commonwealth Conference & Lifesaving
Championships

International Lifesaving Federation (ILS)

Meritorious Actions and Society Awards