Proud mum and Swimming Teacher, Ann Claydon, has told RLSS UK how her children, Will and Ellen, have both used their lifesaving skills to save lives, years apart.

RLSS UK Trainer Assessor, Anne Peterson, taught both Ann’s children their National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) and their de-fib training, and even taught mum Ann her NPLQ some years ago.

Ellen and Will have since both worked at Riverside Pool in Chelmsford as Lifeguards.

In 2017, Will received a certificate from RLSS UK for saving a woman’s life whilst lifeguarding. Will administered CPR and, along with his colleagues, used an AED on the poolside. He and his colleagues were commended by RLSS UK and the Essex Ambulance Service for their quick response in saving the woman’s life.

More recently, in September 2022, Ann’s older child, Ellen, had her skills called upon whilst at home with her partner. Ellen’s partner suffered a cardiac arrest whilst in bed, and Ellen quickly began performing CPR and continued to do so for 12 minutes until the paramedics arrived. Ellen’s partner was then shocked four times with an AED before being taken to hospital.

Ellen had undertaken her National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) ten years previously so knew exactly what to do to assist her partner.

Thanks to Ellen’s quick actions, her partner has now been discharged from hospital and fitted with a Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (S-ICD).

With Ann teaching swimming to ensure people can enjoy the water safely, and Ellen and William saving two lives between them, it’s clear that saving lives runs in the family.

Anne Peterson, RLSS UK Trainer Assessor, said: “These fantastic results, especially from one family, makes all the hard work in running NPLQ courses and all the training worth doing. 

“It makes me as an RLSS UK Trainer Assessor very proud to have had such good results in saving lives.”

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• If you’re interested in acquiring invaluable lifesaving skills by becoming a lifeguard, find a lifeguard course near you and #BeALifesaver. There are currently over 350 NPLQ lifeguard courses in July and August across the country.
• The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is a fantastic springboard for careers, from the emergency services and military to the leisure sector. #IStartedAsALifeguard
• If you’d like to invest in a Defibrillator, visit the RLSS UK Shop to view our range. Every time you purchase from our shop, 100% of the profit goes into supporting our Charity’s vision - nations without drowning where everyone can safely enjoy being in, on or near water.