International Life Saving Federation facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | ILS |
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| Predecessor | Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS) and World Life Saving (WLS). |
| Formation | 24 February 1993 at Brussels |
| Type | INGO |
| Legal status | Association internationale sans but lucrative, incorporated in Belgium |
| Purpose | Drowning prevention Promotion of lifesaving Lifesaving sport |
| Location | |
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Region served
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International |
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Membership
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National federations |
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President
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Graham Ford (2012–28) |
| Affiliations | SportAccord ARISF IWGA |
| Website | http://www.ilsf.org/ |
The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is a worldwide group dedicated to preventing people from drowning. They also work to make water activities safer. ILS promotes lifesaving skills and organizes lifesaving sports competitions.
Contents
What is the ILS?
The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is made up of over 130 national lifesaving groups. These groups work together to improve water safety. Their goals include stopping drownings, teaching water rescue, and training lifeguards. They also promote lifesaving as a sport.
The main decision-making body of ILS is the General Assembly. Member organizations send representatives to this assembly. The General Assembly chooses a board of directors. This board manages the ILS's activities between General Assembly meetings. The President leads the board. The main office, called the General Secretariat, is in Leuven, Belgium. This office handles all the administration.
ILS has four main branches around the world. These are in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. These branches help to start and manage regional activities. ILS also works with other organizations, governments, and sponsors. This helps them promote lifesaving efforts globally.
Lifesaving Sport
Lifesaving sport is a fun and challenging way to practice lifesaving skills. It is also known as competitive lifesaving. Athletes compete in events that test their speed, strength, and rescue abilities.
Lifesaving Sport Events
Lifesaving sport includes many different events. These events are held in pools and in open water like beaches. Some pool events include swimming with a manikin (a dummy), obstacle swims, and rescue medley races. There are also relay races where teams work together.
Beach and surf events test skills in the ocean. These include beach flags, beach sprints, and board races. Athletes also compete in rescue tube races and surf ski races. Some events involve rescue boats, like the Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) rescue. The "Oceanman" and "Oceanwoman" events combine swimming, board paddling, and surf ski paddling.
Lifesaving World Championships
The ILS organizes the World Life Saving Championships every two years. These championships are often called the 'Rescue' series, like Rescue 2008. The World Championships include different competitions. There are events for national teams, club teams, and masters (older competitors). There are also special championships for surfboats and IRBs.
These championships are very large events. They attract between 3,000 and 5,000 athletes and officials. The competitions usually last for 12 to 14 days.
Other International Competitions
Lifesaving sport is also part of several other big international events.
- The World Games happen every four years. They are organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA). These games take place the year after the Summer Olympic Games.
- The Military World Games are held every four years. They are organized by the International Military Sports Council (CISM).
- The World Masters Games are for older athletes. They are sponsored by the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) and happen every four years.
- The Commonwealth Pool Lifesaving Championships are organized by the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth. These championships take place every two years.
- The Military Swimming and Lifesaving World Championships are held every two years by the CISM.
Lifesaving Certifications
The ILS offers special certificates to people who complete certain training levels. These certificates show that a person has met international standards for lifesaving skills. This means their training is recognized around the world.
Certificates are available for many different roles. These include Junior Lifesaver, Lifesaver, and various types of Lifeguards (for pools, inland open water, and surf). There are also certificates for instructors who teach these skills. Other certifications include those for rescue divers, rescue boat crew, and jet ski operators. There are even certificates for using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and for K9 (dog) rescue teams.
Partnerships and Recognition
Many important organizations recognize the ILS. They see ILS as the main international group for lifesaving sport. These include the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and SportAccord. The World Games also recognize ILS. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) works with ILS to ensure fair play in sports.
ILS is also a member of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF). This group includes sports federations that are recognized by the IOC. ILS also has an agreement with the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS). This agreement, signed in 1994, recognizes ILS rescue diver and instructor certifications.
Member Organizations
The ILS has over 100 national federations as members. These are groups from different countries that focus on lifesaving. Some of the well-known member organizations include:
- Royal Life Saving Society Australia
- Surf Life Saving Australia
- Lifesaving Society (Canada)
- Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth
- Rashtriya Life Saving Society (India)
- Türkiye Sualtı Sporları Federasyonu (Turkey)
- Royal Life Saving Society UK
- Royal National Lifeboat Institution (UK)
- United States Lifesaving Association
- Royal Spanish Livesaving Association (Real Federación Española de Salvamento y Socorrismo)
- YMCA of the USA
See also
- Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques
- AIDA International
- List of world records in life saving
- World Life Saving Championships
- Lifeguard
