12 March, 2012
Closing Date for Lifesaving Activity Week Extended Until 12 Mar 2012 – now just £180!
Following the success of last year’s international youth exchange to Germany; I am pleased to report that we’ll be welcoming lifesavers from Kaufbeuren to the UK in August 2012. Sixteen youth members of the RLSS West Region will join sixteen young people from the DLRG (the German Lifesaving Association) for a week long programme of activities from 15-22 Aug 2012 inclusive.
The exchange will start in Bournemouth where we plan to spend a few days playing team-building games, learning beach lifeguard skills (including open-water swimming, beach sprints, lifeguard patrol skills and how to use specialised rescue equipment) and taking a tour of the RNLI’s training facility in Poole. We’ll then travel to Bristol, which will be our base for the second half of the week. We’ll spend time with each of the three branches that make up the RLSS West Region: sightseeing, getting to know each other, and taking part in lifesaving and cultural activities together.
The aims of the exchange are to:
- Learn about the work of RLSS UK, the RNLI and the DLRG.
- Develop international friendships and learn about life in Germany and the UK.
- Develop as lifesavers and as young adults.
UK participants will be directly involved in organising and planning every aspect of the exchange from fundraising to the programme of events. To help us to prepare, we’ll be running three planning days in the Bath/Bristol area on Sat 10 Mar, Sun 13 May and Sat 14 Jul (UK participants should make every effort to attend at least two of the planning days). We’ll also set up a Facebook group to allow the UK & German participants to get to know each other before the exchange.
The exchange is open to RLSS members from the West Region aged 14-18. The total cost of the exchange is £280 per person, which includes food, accommodation, travel, activities, and attendance at the training days in the UK before we depart. [Newsflash: The cost was putting some people off - so we've made some savings and found some additional funding, and we're now able to offer the exchange for just (or £220 if you want a hoody as well)]!
For more details, or to download an application form, see: www.rlsswest.org.uk/west-region/international-exchange.
31 March, 2012
Lifesaving Instructor Course – Cheltenham
The RLSS has brought out a new Lifesaving Instructors qualification to accompany the new Survive and Save awards. Only qualified Lifesaving Instructors can teach and assess the Survive and Save awards. If you’d like to become a Lifesaving Instructorthen this is the course for you!
THE COURSE VENUE AND TIMINGS ARE TO BE CONFIRMED.
Format: The course timings are TBD. Most of the time will be spent in the classroom, but there’ll be 4 hours of practical pool time during the course.
Pre-requisites: To attend the course you must be in current membership of the RLSS and hold a current Lifesupport 3 qualification or equivalent.
Minimum Age: The minimum age to become a Lifesaving Instructor is 17 years old. Candidates who are aged 17 years old will only be able to train and assess the awards when another qualified Instructor is on the poolside (who is 18yrs+) until they become 18yrs old.
Bring: Course materials will be provided, but attendees will need to bring pens, a notepad, packed lunch and swimming kit.
Cost: The course cost is yet to be determined.
Booking: Booking is essential, please contact Katie Briggs for more information or to reserve your place.
Note for Existing Trainer Assessors (TAs): Existing TAs are welcome to attend the course. Or, if you prefer, existing TAs can also become Lifesaving Instructors by purchasing the Lifesaving Manual for Instructors from the Lifesavers Direct Website and completing the update online at www.surviveandsave.co.uk
Rookie Instructor Course – Cheltenham
At the same time as the Survive and Save Instructor Course, the Gloucestershire Branch will be running a Rookie Instructor Course.
The course lasts for 1 day only and will cover the Lifesaving Skills and Teaching and Class Management Skills modules which make up the Rookie Instructor qualification.
The course location, cost and further details will be published shortly.
2 April, 2012
Gloucestershire Branch Meeting
The Gloucestershire Branch Committee will be meeting on Monday 2nd April. The agenda and minutes of the last meeting will be distributed to committee members ahead of the meeting.
For those not on the committee, you can e-mail Katie Briggs if there is a topic you want to be discussed. Or do you have a grant application to make to the Branch? If so get in touch with Katie.
11 April, 2012
West Region Meeting
The West Region Committee made up from members of the Avon and North Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset Branch Committees will be meeting to discuss the regional action plan and plans for lifesaving in the West Region for the coming year.
If you have a suggestion on how to promote lifesaving or lifesaving sport, or want some help in running a course or event within the Region, please get in touch with Clive Holland, the West Region Chairman.
14 April, 2012
Senior Lifesaving/Lifeguarding Competition
The Gloucestershire Branch are running their successful Senior Lifesaving/Lifeguarding competition on Saturday 14th April.
The competition is open to all from the Gloucestershire Branch. Each team will be made up of 4 competitors – a mix of males and females who will compete against other teams in a variety of events.
The entry form, rules, venue and timings will be published online, as soon as they are available. More details can be obtained from Nick Hatton.
12 May, 2012
Emergency Response Activity Supervisor Course
Henleaze Swimming Club, in conjunction with RLSS West Region, is pleased to offer the Emergency Response Activity Supervisor qualification. This 12 hour course will give you the practical lifesaving skills that you need to supervise, teach or coach programmed activity at open water sites (note: this is not a lifeguard qualification).
The course covers: accident prevention, water-based rescue skills, risk assessments, normal operating procedures and emergency action plans, adult and child CPR, spinal injury management and basic first-aid (including management of an unconscious casualty, choking, shock, drowning, bleeding, fractures, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, heart attack, cold shock, hypothermia, bites and stings).
The total cost of the course if £60 per adult (£30 for under 18’s and concessions) which includes membership of the RLSS, course materials, tuition and assessment fees. There are no prerequisites, but candidates must be at least 16 years old and able to comfortably swim 200m in open water.
The course is being held at Henleaze Swimming lake (see www.henleazeswimmingclub.org for directions) on 12 May, 16 Jun, 23 Jun, 30 Jun and 6 Jul 2012; with sessions in a local indoor swimming pool scheduled for 19 May and 26 May. Training will start promptly at 9am and finish at 11am.
You will need to bring a well-fitting full-length wetsuit, swimming costume, goggles, swim hat and towel. You’ll also need to bring plenty of warm clothes to wear after training and water or a sports drink to sip whilst you swim to keep hydrated. You may want to bring a snack for after training. Finally, please do not wear any jewellery or bring any valuables with you.
If you’d like to take part in this course, please complete the application form. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
27 May, 2012
Gloucestershire Branch AGM
The Gloucestershire Branch Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place on Sunday 27th May between 12noon and 4pm at The Strand in Cheltenham.
Lunch will be provided, along with a talk on the RLSS UK West Region German Exchange and Defibrillator Training. As well as the AGM and election of Officers.
More details can be obtained from Katie Briggs and the more details of the AGM and elections will be posted online shortly.
16 June, 2012
National Water Safety Awareness Week 2012
For the second year, the RLSS will be running its National Water Safety Awareness Week in June 2012. One of the aims of the National Water Safety Awareness Week is to promote having fun and being safe in, on and near water.
There will be a number of events running in the West Region which will let you know about as the events are finalised. So check back for more information.
Celebration of Lifesaving in Gloucestershire
As part of the RLSS National Water Safety Awareness Week, the Gloucestershire Branch have organised a day filled with fun activities showing lifesaving at its’ best.
There are loads of demonstrations and activities arranged throughout the day at the Cheltenham Lido. There will be the chance to have a go in the activities and to learn lots about lifesaving and water safety.
In the evening, you’ll have the chance to go for a swim in the heated outdoor pool and then relax with new friends over a BBQ. What could be better?!
If you want to know more, or want to book your place, get in touch with Katie Briggs at katie@rlsswest.org.uk.
