To celebrate the late Queen’s 70 years of service, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has developed the Platinum Jubilee Medallion in celebration of Her Majesty’s historic reign.

RLSS UK is a national charity, formed in 1891, and the leading provider of lifesaving and lifeguarding training, and water safety education in the UK.

In 2021, the late Queen shared her own memories of achieving her lifesaving qualification as a young girl, during a video call with the Royal Life Saving Society. The Queen became the first young person in the Commonwealth to achieve the Society’s Junior Respiration Award, providing an example to young people and helping establish lifesaving and resuscitation qualifications across the Commonwealth. During the interview, Her Majesty said: “I didn’t realise I was the first one - I just did it, and had to work very hard for it!

“It was a great achievement and I was very proud to wear the badge on the front of my swimming suit. It was very grand, I thought.”

The full video call can be viewed online.

Robert Gofton, CEO of RLSS UK said: “We created this brand new medallion as a modern-take of the award Her Majesty The Queen completed in 1941. The lifesaving award not only celebrates the jubilee but also provides basic rescue skills to those who complete it.

“Our Lifesaving Instructors around the UK and Ireland will deliver the training before assessing each person to see if they can secure this unique award. The award was open to all ages and it's lovely to see lots of people wanting to take part to develop their skills and knowledge around lifesaving and water safely.”

There are various skills required as part of the assessment to be awarded with the medallion, including accompanied rescues, tows, fitness swim, lifesaving swimming strokes, CPR, and the use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Robert added: “We're excited to launch this medallion, not only to honour Her Majesty The Queen but to offer people the chance to be awarded with this limited edition medallion and celebrate our fantastic community of lifesavers in the UK and Ireland.”

Find out more about the Platinum Jubilee Medallion.