International Life Saving Federation

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is an organisation for drowning prevention, water safety, lifesaving and lifesaving sports.

International Life Saving Federation
AbbreviationILS
PredecessorFédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS) and World Life Saving (WLS).[1]
Formation24 February 1993 (1993-02-24) at Brussels
TypeINGO
Legal statusAssociation internationale sans but lucrative, incorporated in Belgium
PurposeDrowning prevention
Promotion of lifesaving
Lifesaving sport
Location
Region served
International
Membership
National federations
President
Graham Ford (2012–22)
Main organ
board of directors.[2]
AffiliationsSportAccord
ARISF
IWGA
Websitehttp://www.ilsf.org/

Definition

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) comprises over 130 national life saving organisations/federations aiming at improving water safety, drowning prevention, water rescue, lifesaving and lifeguarding and lifesaving sport.

The supreme authority of ILS is the General Assembly on which member organisations are represented. The Elective General Assembly elects a board of directors. The board of directors conducts the business of ILS between meetings of the General Assembly and is chaired by the President. The General Secretariat (Headquarters) is located in Leuven (Belgium) and houses the administration.

ILS has four regional branches, in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. They initiate, supervise and coordinate regional activities.

ILS commissions are composed of committees and working groups responsible for the management, development and technical aspects of each major ILS field of activity.

ILS cooperates with partner organisations, governments, non-government organisations (NGOs) and sponsors to promote lifesaving worldwide.

Lifesaving sport
Main article: Lifesaving (sport)

Lifesaving sport disciplines

As of July 2013, lifesaving sport (also known as competitive lifesaving) at the international level consists of the following disciplines – 100m Manikin Tow with Fins, 100m Obstacle Swim (Masters), 100m Rescue Medley, 200m Obstacle Swim, 200m Super Lifesaver, 4x25m Manikin Relay, 4x50m Medley Relay, 4x50m Obstacle Relay, 50m Manikin Carry, Line Throw, Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC), 100m Manikin Carry with Fins, Beach Flags, Beach Relay, Beach Run, Beach Sprint, Board Race, Board Relay, Board Rescue, Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Rescue, IRB Rescue Tube Rescue, IRB Team Rescue, Oceanman – Oceanwoman, Oceanman Relay, Rescue Tube Race, Rescue Tube Rescue, Run Swim Run, Surf Boat Race, Surf Race, Surf ski Race, Surf Ski Relay and Surf Teams Race.[3]

Lifesaving World championships

The Lifesaving World Championships which are known as the 'Rescue' series (i.e. Rescue 2008), are organised by the ILS every two years. The World Championships consist of National Teams World Championships, Interclub Teams World Championships, Masters World Championships, Surfboats World Championships and IRB World Championships. Additional championships can include events such as March Past and Long Distance Race. The World Championships attract between 3,000 and 5,000 competitors and officials, and are conducted over a period of 12 to 14 days.[4]

Other international events

As of July 2013, lifesaving sport (both pool and beach-surf) is included in the following international events:[5]

Certification

The ILS issues certificates to qualified persons who wish for international recognition for their level of training where this meets the minimum internationally recognised competencies published by ILS. As of July 2013, certificates are available for the following training levels: Junior Lifesaver, Lifesaver, Lifeguard Pool, Lifeguard Inland Open Water, Lifeguard Surf, Instructor Junior Lifesaver, Instructor Lifesaver, Instructor Pool Lifeguard, Instructor Inland Open Water Lifeguard, Instructor Surf Lifeguard, Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Rescue Dive Master, Instructor 1 Rescue Dive, Instructor 2 Rescue Dive, Instructor 3 Rescue Dive, Rescue Boat Crew, Rescue Boat Driver, Jet ski Operator, AED Certificates, Instructor AED, K9 Certificate and K9 Instructor.[8]

Recognition, affiliations and agreements

Organisations which recognise ILS as the international federation for lifesaving sport include the International Olympic Committee (IOC), SportAccord, the World Games and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).[9][10][11][12] ILS also is a member of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).[13] ILS has an agreement with the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS) signed on 21 October 1994 regarding recognition of the ILS rescue diver and instructor certification program.[14]

Members

ILS membership which consists of 100 national federations, includes the following organisations:[15] Royal Life Saving Society Australia, Surf Life Saving Australia, Lifesaving Society, Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth, Rashtriya Life Saving Society, Türkiye Sualtı Sporları Federasyonu, Royal Life Saving Society UK, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, United States Lifesaving Association, Royal Spanish Livesaving Association (Real Federación Española de Salvamento y Socorrismo) and YMCA of the US.

See also

References
  1. "History of the ILS". International Life Saving Federation. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  2. "Board of Directors". International Life Saving Federation. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  3. "Lifesaving Sport Events". International Life Saving Federation. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  4. "Lifesaving World Championships – Rescue Series". International Life Saving Federation. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  5. "Championships". International Life Saving Federation. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  6. "Lifesaving". International World Games Association. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  7. "Lifesaving Sport". RLSS Commonwealth. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  8. "ILS Certificates". International Life Saving Federation. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  9. "INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATION". THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  10. "Members". SportAccord. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  11. "LIFESAVING". International World Games Association. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  12. "List of International Federations (IF)". World Anti-Doping Agency. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  13. "ILS – International Life Saving Federation". Association of Recognised IOC International Sports Federations. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  14. "OVERVIEW OF RESCUE DIVER'S CERTIFICATION" (PDF). International Life Saving Federation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  15. "ILS Member Organisations". International Life Saving Federation. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
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