Lifesaving SportThe Royal Life Saving Society UK is the National Governing Body for pool-based Lifesaving Sport - a sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee and the Commonwealth Games Federation. Lifesaving Sport is the only sport whose skills are first learned for humanitarian purposes. As showcased in our new promotional video, Lifesaving Sport is a competitive and dynamic international sport, with a variety of fun and challenging activities that take place in and out of the water at swimming pools and the beach. It is also an important vehicle to engage young people in lifesaving and support drowning prevention. About Lifesaving Sport Lifesaving Sport Home About Pathways The History Meet our Athletes and Coaches Competitions National Lifesaving Championships Simulated Emergency Response Championship (SERC) National Speed Lifesaving Championships Rookie Lifeguard Festivals Commonwealth Lifesaving Championships Recognised Competitions Roles Officials Coaches Team Managers Competitor Organisers Event Roles Performance GBR Lifesaving Anti Doping Transgender Policy for Sport Records & Results Apply for National Records Records Results Latest News Events RLSS UK Shop Visit Shop Lifesaving Sport Equipment Officials, Coaches and Timekeepers Essentials National Lifesaving Championship National Lifesaving Championship 2023 The National Lifesaving Championship (Nationals) is the premier lifesaving competition in the UK. The lifesaving sport was primarily intended to encourage lifesavers to develop, maintain and improve the essential physical and mental skills needed to save lives. This competition plays an important role in promoting the technical skills, knowledge and decision-making abilities of lifesavers. Nationals attract lifesavers of all ages, from all regions and brings them together in the mutual pursuit of excellence. Each participant has the knowledge and skills to help prevent drowning and promote an active and healthy lifestyle through lifesaving activity. Lifesaving competitions consist of a variety of competitions to further develop and demonstrate lifesaving skills, fitness and motivation. This competition has four elements to test the skills of competitors: Life Support Initiative Test Competitors will have 90 seconds to respond to a dry simulation to demonstrate emergency first aid and casualty care. Aquatic Initiative Test Competitors have 90 seconds to respond to an Aquatic Initiative Test, which will test their assessment of the situation, their lifesaving skills and after rescue treatment. Swim and Tow Competitors enter the water, swim to their team mate who they then tow to the designated finishing point. The Swim and Tow shall be a non-contact tow using a tea towel (to represent an item of clothing) of a minimum size of 500 x 300mm. The towel is to be in the competitor’s possession at the start of the event. Line Throw The competitor coils a rope, throw it out to a team mate and pull them back in. Competitors work their way through the Regional qualifiers to represent their area in the National Final. Regional Rankings 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 All Ireland 2 2 3 3 3 3 5 4 1 2 2 1 1 East 13 12 8 10 13 9 – 13 – – 13 – – East Midlands 3 8 5 2 5 2 2 3 5 7 4 2 3 North East 4 1 2 1 1 4 3 1 3 3 9 3 7 North West 9 10 11 13 11 14 – 10 9 5 8 9 10 Scotland 8 7 6 3 8 10 4 5 6 3 3 4 5 South 12 9 10 5 9 7 – 9 – – 11 10 11 South East 6 5 1 6 1 1 1 2 4 1 1 7 3 South West 7 3 7 8 7 10 5 8 – – 6 11 9 Wales 1 4 4 7 5 5 – 6 7 9 7 6 2 West 11 4 11 11 12 13 9 11 8 8 12 12 – West Midlands 5 13 13 12 10 12 8 12 10 6 10 8 7 Yorkshire 9 6 8 9 4 5 5 6 2 – 5 5 6 Manage Cookie Preferences