Lifesaver Award

Course Aim

The primary aim is to examine, under pool or sheltered water conditions, lifesaving proficiency specifically applicable to divers. A secondary aim is to examine the ability of divers to make use of their rescue skills in more general non-diving situations. The examination covers rescue methods suitable for use from shore or boat, by rescuers as they are likely to be dressed at the time, using aids that may reasonably be expected to be available.

An optional, secondary aim is to provide a framework for additional or refresher training for those who require it, to the level necessary to gain the Lifesaver Award.

Course Overview

The Lifesaver Award is obtained by passing an examination which comprises two sections - a dry theoretical and practical test and a wet practical test. In summary, the candidates will be required to:

• Answer questions on respiratory and circulatory anatomy, respiratory and circulatory physiology, lifesaving and relevant first aid/Basic Life Support
• Demonstrate Rescue Breaths for three minutes
• Demonstrate the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrest
• Demonstrate the action for vomit, and the recovery position
• Perform a 10m rope throwing rescue
• Perform a 10m buoyant aid rescue and tow
• Perform a Snorkel Diver rescue and 50m tow
• Perform an Aqualung Diver rescue and 50m tow with RB in the water
• Perform a 25m rescue swim and 10m tow of a swimmer, with RB in the water
• Perform an endurance test supporting an unconscious casualty at the surface.

Additional training prior to taking the examination is optional. This Instructor Manual includes a series of lessons designed to cater for the possible training needs of students who wish to take the Lifesaver Award. Ocean Divers may require additional training for the Basic Life Support skills not included in their Ocean Diver training; all participants may require specific additional training for throwing exercises and swimming rescues, which are not included in the Diver Training Programme; and many students will welcome a mock exam to refresh their skills before the examination.
Lifesaver Theory covers material on The Human Body, Diver Rescue, and Basic Life Support (including practice using manikins), and provides recommendations for further reading. The lesson refers to appropriate theory and pool practical lessons from the Ocean Diver, Sports Diver, and Dive Leader syllabuses.

Lifesaver In-water skills covers towing and throwing. Mock Exam requires a demonstration of each element of the examination, with advice on the specific points the examiners will look for; followed by the opportunity for each student to practice.

Course organisers are free to adapt the optional lessons, or to substitute their own alternatives as they deem appropriate. However, the criteria set out for the examination itself must not be altered .

Duration

1 day. This should be sufficient for the examination and all of the optional prior training detailed below. The event may be spread over several weeks if preferred.

Qualifications Awarded

Holders of the Lifesaver Award have demonstrated their lifesaving proficiency in diving and non-diving situations under pool or sheltered water conditions.

Certificates

Presentation and Qualification Record Book Certificates

Examination/Assessment

The dry and wet tests may be examined in either order and on separate occasions but both must be completed within two months. Should a candidate fail either section, it may be retaken once, for an extra fee, within two months of the successful section. If the retake is failed, then both sections of the Lifesaver Award must be retaken.

Course Registration

Lifesaver Award courses and examinations must be arranged through HQ. Consult the BSAC website or HQ for current details and associated booking, declaration and report forms.

Instructor Requirements

Instructor/Examiner Qualifications
Instruction must be supervised by a BSAC Open Water Instructor or above who holds the Lifesaver Award. The instructors teaching the course must confirm that within the year preceding the course and examination, they have demonstrated to another BSAC Open Water Instructor or above their personal competence in all the skills taught in the course to the standards defined in this Instructor Manual. The final examination may be conducted by an instructor who has taught the candidates, although another instructor is preferable if possible.

Student:Instructor ratio

Student:instructor ratios for training should be in line with the guidance in the relevant parts of the Diver Training Programme referred to below (no limit for lectures; maximum 6:1 for pool sessions).

Venue Facilities
The examination, optional mock examination, and optional lifesaver in-water skills lesson each requires a pool or other sheltered water training area.

The pre-examination lifesaver theory lesson requires a classroom and a dry practical area.

Administration

When a group has been examined for the Lifesaver Award, the course organiser should complete the Lifesaver Award Examination Report form. Candidates are required to return to HQ forms declaring that they have been instructed and examined in all the components of the course and final examination in the course documentation. HQ will issue the appropriate certificates when the Instructor and Student Declaration forms been received

Costs

A fee is payable to HQ for each candidate. The current price list is obtainable from HQ or the BSAC website.

Instructors and examiners cannot claim their expenses against the BSAC Coaching Scheme. Instructor/examiner expenses, venue fees, gas, and any other costs are the responsibility of the candidates and their organisers