In October 2022, we proudly launched the National Lifesaving Academy (NLA), an initiative dedicated to recognising and fostering lifesaving skills across the UK and Ireland. In this blog post, we aim to address some of the most frequently asked questions we've had about the NLA since it's inception.

What is the purpose of the award?

The NLA programme enables you to train lifesavers of the future, equipping young people with highly transferable skills across a range of environments. The programme responded to the need to create a smoother pathway from Rookie to lifeguard and will give anyone delivering the awards a unique selling point to attract and retain participants for longer.

Importantly, we also wanted to make sure that if you operate a club, that you could develop a unique selling point to hirers and operators. Officially recognising the skill and dedicated training of your lifesavers and how that could continue to support them to employ highly trained lifeguards.

If there are fewer awards than the Survive & Save programme, does that mean less content?

There is more content in the NLA awards than there was in the Survive & Save programme. We have incorporated the core, first aid and CPR skills from Survive & Save into the NLA awards, and with the introduction of new first aid elements, including AED, and a new section looking at safety procedures around different water site types, there is much more for your lifesavers to learn as they progress through the NLA.

How was the review of the lifesaving programme managed?

It was important that at every step of the Survive & Save review, we engaged with those who delivered the awards. We set up a Facebook Group to assist with shaping the new awards, and, in addition, we were supported by a Survive & Save Review Working Group; a crack team of volunteers who gave us honesty and challenged us to create this exciting award.

Finally, the awards mean a great deal at the highest level of the organisation, and the RLSS UK Trustee Board oversaw every step of the process.

How does the Bronze Medallion reduce guided learning hours for lifeguard qualifications?

The Bronze Medallion awards can be used as Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) towards the relevant vocational lifeguard qualifications therefore there is a requirement set for minimum guided learning hours. The minimum guided learning hours for each medallion is 18-hours and this will remove 7-hours from the relevant lifeguard qualification. More details are in the NLA Guidance Document.

Why are all of the awards called Bronze?

Bronze is a vital part of our heritage and the heritage of the wider RLSS Commonwealth family. Having lost the heritage of the Bronze Medallion in the Survive & Save programme it was important to trustees, members and the public who talk so fondly of the awards to bring it back with a bang.

Launching a suite of bronze awards in the NLA recognises this heritage and puts the focus on the progression from the certificate, through to the star, through to our ultimate shining light – the Medallion.

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If you have any questions about The National Lifesaving Academy (NLA), please contact us.