About Pool Lifesaving Sport

Pool Lifesaving Sport

Pool lifesaving is one of the three core disciplines that make up the internationally recognised sport of Lifesaving, the other disciplines being Surf Lifesaving and Ocean & Open water competitions. Pool lifesaving not only tests an athlete's swimming ability, but their skills in rescue response, accident prevention and emergency care in a still-water environment. The sport runs year-round, so it is suitable for both amateur and seasoned swimmers, lifeguard fitness and development and for those looking for a fun and interesting way to stay safe and active in the water.

Initiative Tests

Emergency response events, also known as initiative tests, involve an aquatic emergency scenario that competitors must respond to within a set time limit. Initiative tests include the Simulate Emergency Response Competition (SERC) and CPR competition (also known as dry SERC). Initiative events can be run in an individual or team format, with competitors scored on their overall response to the emergency scenario.

Simulated Emergency Response Competition (SERC)

The simulated emergency response competition (SERC), also known as an initiative test, challenges the emergency response, rescue skills and initiative of lifesavers in a staged emergency situation that is unknown to the competitors before they enter the pool area. Conducted in both individual and team formats, competitors are judged and scored on their application of rescue principles, emergency care, teamwork and communication. SERC events normally run for 2 minutes and are more or less complex depending on the age group or lifesaving award held by the competitors.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Competition

The cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) competition is a timed test of accuracy and technique, with competitors required to demonstrate effective resuscitation on a training manikin. Competitors are judged and given a score based on how well they follow the resuscitation protocol for a drowning patient including initial assessment, effectiveness of rescue breaths, effectiveness and timing of compression and communication to judges.

Speed Events

Speed events are a test of speed, strength and technique, involving a variety of swimming and lifesaving skills including competition and survival strokes, contact and non-contact rescues, and use of rescue equipment. Many speed events utilise a manikin (also known as a rescue dummy, or bob) to simulate a real patient. The aim a speed event is to be the first to the finish wall, but with the right technique to avoid disqualification. Speed events also include relays where various swimming and rescue skills are required using the right equipment and in the correct sequences.

Obstacle Swim

The obstacles event involves swimming under two submerged barriers (know as obstacles) each lap of the race, placed at an equal distance from each end of the pool. Obstacles simulate underwater hazards in an aquatic environment and swimmers must use skills of scanning, surface diving and swimming underwater to complete the event. Competition events are usually held over 100m or 200m distances.

Line Throw

The line throw is one of the most exciting pool lifesaving events to watch and is equally a test of speed, technique and accuracy in performing a dry rescue. Competitors have 45 seconds to coil a rope, throw it to their patient in the water and pull them back to the start wall, usually over a distance of 12.5m. The world record for line throw is just 9 seconds!

Manikin Carry

The manikin carry requires competitors to recover a submerged manikin and perform a contact tow, simulating the rescue of an unconscious submerged patient. The manikin carry is performed over distances of 50m and 100m, with and without fins. Manikins weigh approximately 40kg when filled with water - strength and technique are key in this event.

Manikin Tow

The manikin tow simulates a non-contact rescue of a conscious patient. Conducted over 100m, A competitor swims 50m with fins and a rescue tube, touches the turn wall, and then fixes the rescue tube around a half-filled manikin held by a handler (who is outside of the water). A competitor then tows the manikin 50m to the finish.

Super Lifesaver

The super lifesaver is an endurance event that combines both the manikin carry and manikin tow over a distance of 200m. A competitor swims 75m freestyle, then dives to recover a submerged manikin from the middle of the pool before carrying the manikin 25m to the turn wall. After touching the wall, a competitor dons fins and a rescue tube in the water, swims 50m freestyle with fins and a rescue tube, then fixes the rescue tube around a half-filled manikin to tow the remaining 50m.