Published: 17 March 2020
Updated: 1 October 2021

Update for Lifesaving Clubs

Following a UK Government Emergency COBRA meeting on 16 March, PM Boris Johnson announced that increased measures have been put in place to delay the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

The first thing to recognise, is that clubs are autonomous bodies with their own management team, constitution and hire agreements. This document is designed to provide clubs with guidance to manage their personal response to COVID-19 and is not a mandated position.

Club members’ welfare and containing the spread of the virus should be the number one consideration however, it is also important for clubs to consider their sustainable future. Many clubs have been providing priceless training and a lifesaving community service for many years; it is crucial that the management of the response to the virus secures these vital operations for years to come, and a club isn’t seriously impacted by financial ramifications. Financial contracts are a delicate matter but need to be an important part of these discussions.

Until the UK Government changes its advice regarding children’s activities (including school) or until a venue closes, we offer this advice to aid decision making:

• Based on the government guidance in relation to social distancing, it is advisable to consider your role in postponing activity until government guidance changes.
• If you are in a rolling financial contract with an operator, discuss the opportunity to have a payment holiday or to relax contractual arrangements. If the government releases a firmer stance on mandating children’s activities, then you will be prepared.
• Open discussions with members and parents about coming to an agreement in relation to continuing payment of fees, to help the club get through this difficult time.
• If the club can manage costs, then discuss and consider your approach. If the decision is to cancel club activity, most sports have set an initial date of 1 April for review.

If the club does decide to continue to operate:

• PWTAG advise that it is generally safe swimming at this time https://www.pwtag.org/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-latest-information-2/.
• Clubs must follow advice on personal hygiene and members should be encouraged to shower more often.
• Clubs should consider postponing dry sessions.
• Avoiding sharing equipment between candidates, if it is passed around then it should be cleaned after use.
• Thoroughly clean any equipment at the end of every session, with products recommended as effective against the spread of COVID-19.
• Avoid any contact and allow each candidate to have a personal one metre zone, this includes not practising any contact tows.
• Anybody showing symptoms, in line with government advice, should self-isolate and should not be attending sessions.
• Any mass gatherings, eg competitions, festivals etc should be postponed until further notice.

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1. Wednesday 11 March 2020
2. In addition to guidance from Resuscitation Council UK, RLSS UK TAs and Instructors in Ireland are advised to follow current guidance issued by Government and Health Service Executive in Ireland.
3. Speeds 2020 and Covid-19
4. Until the UK Government advise otherwise, the RLSS UK Speeds 2020 event will go ahead as planned this weekend, in Sheffield.
5. We are mindful that the situation is subject to change. We will continue to regularly monitor the official advice and advise of any changes, as soon as possible.

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Tuesday 10 March 2020

Following on from the update below, the Resuscitation Council (UK) have released a statement on COVID-19.

Please note - section 3.0 relates to ongoing training and section 4.0 to delivery and assessment of training formal qualifications.

Please click here.

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Managing the risk of Coronavirus (COVID–19) for RLSS UK Trainer Assessors (TAs) & Instructors

RLSS UK TAs and Instructors are advised to follow current guidance issued by the government and NHS.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has provided the following guidance for delivering training using CPR manikins.

Where individuals are exhibiting symptoms typical of flu, cold or been in close contact with someone who has the COVID-19 infection then they should self-exclude from the course. Likewise, if an individual has travelled from the countries/regions as listed here then they should act on the advice dependent on whether they were a category 1 or 2 traveller.

It should also be emphasised to students the importance of good hygiene practice regarding sneezing i.e. access to hand washing facilities, disposal of tissues and the use of alcohol rubs.  This approach can be reviewed as the situation in the UK develops.

Otherwise, the current proportionate level of infection control when training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using manikins is as follows:

• Replacement and disposal of lungs and airways after each training session
• Wiping the face of the mannikin with disinfectant wipes after each student uses it, students may use individual face shields if they so wish and they should be disposed of safely at the end of the session
• Washing manikin faces with an appropriate disinfectant solution after completion of each training session

We understand this may increase the need for manikin wipes and lung replacements, therefore, until further notice RLSS Direct has reduced prices to help you meet the guidance above.

20300	Little Anne Airway 24 pack	£50.50 now £45.50*
183210	Little Junior Airways 25 pack	£47.40 now £42.40*
130-11050	Baby Anne Airways 24 Pack	£17.50 now £15.50*
133-10150	Little Baby QCPR Airways 24 pack	£20.00 now £18.00*
GE3171A	Manikin Wipes 200	£5.63 now £4.00*

*Excludes VAT

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us [email protected]