The Royal Life Saving Society UK is a drowning prevention charity founded in 1891 in the UK. It has had Royal Patronage since 1904. History The Royal Life Saving Society UK is a national charity, founded in 1891 by William Henry, with the aim of Safeguarding lives in, on and near water. The Society has more than 13,000 members in 48 branches and 170 active lifesaving and lifeguarding clubs it trains over 93% of all pool and beach lifeguards throughout the UK and Ireland. The Society has had Royal Patronage since 1904 starting with King Edward VII. HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO is the current Commonwealth President of the Society. It is based in the Midlands town of Worcester, Worcestershire. The RLSS is part of Royal Lifesaving Society Commonwealth, and the International Life Saving Federation. Lifesaving in the United Kingdom and Ireland Lifesaving and lifeguarding are promoted as a sport and a life skill by the Royal Life Saving Society UK. There are over 170 lifesaving clubs based throughout the UK and Ireland, which teach skills such as drowning prevention, life support and personal survival. The learning of lifesaving takes place in a variety of water environments, such as swimming pools, inland water venues and at coastal locations. Often clubs coach their members towards achieving RLSS UK awards as part of the Survive & Save Programme. the flagship award being the Bronze Medallion. For a description of the Medallion itself see Bronze Medallion (New Zealand and Australia). Subsequent awards under the Survive & Save programme follow a path to silver and gold though four disciplines of lifesaving, open water, competition, and still water. The final award of lifesaving is that of Distinction, an award that demands a very high level of skill. The Distinction is awarded on passing three 3 gold awards. Training programmes exist for all ages, from young children to adults. Some lifesaving and lifeguard clubs operate as volunteer organisations, providing safety cover at locations where there would otherwise be none. The RLSS organises both national and regional speed and skills competitions and many clubs, including university affiliated clubs (organised through the British Universities Lifesaving Clubs Association (BULSCA)) field teams at these events. Courses and qualifications Professional certification The RLSS offers community courses as well as vocational qualifications for pool and beach lifeguards. These vocational awards are recognised throughout the UK and Ireland and are awarded under