The Bronze Medallion, signifying a qualified lifesaver, has been a lifesaving standard award of The Royal Life Saving Society - Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia for over one hundred years. It was developed in England in 1892. It has evolved over the years to accommodate the environmental conditions of Australia. In New Zealand and Australia one must gain a Bronze Medallion to become a qualified Life Saver. Testing & Exams The qualifying test to become a Life Saver includes both theoretical and practical components although assessment conditions can vary form region to region. Theoretical This includes Resuscitation (CPR) First Aid Signals Communication/radios Workbook Exam Practical Timed 400m swim (100m of freestyle, survival backstroke, sidestroke and breaststroke) in less than 9 mins in either a 25 or 50m pool Timed rescue tow, swimming 50m to a patient and towing them back within 3 min 15 sec Survival and rescue skills demonstrating a range of survival techniques and appropriate rescues for a range of different aquatic environments and scenarios Spinal injuries demonstrating basic management of a suspected spinal injury in shallow water Rescue initiative demonstrating initiative in affecting a rescue of two people who are in difficulty up to 15 metres from safety Resuscitation demonstrating effective CPR Requirements Must be within one calendar year of turning 14 400m swim in less than 9 minutes (freestyle, can be in pools greater than 25m) You must perform a tube and a board rescue You must demonstrate putting a patient in the recovery position You must demonstrate CPR You must demonstrate radio communication & first aid You must pass an oral test on First Aid as well as all Surf Lifesaving practices. The Bronze Medallion The Bronze Medallion has been issued in New Zealand in a number of styles. The following types have been issued. The numbering is arbitrary and other types may exist. Type 1. c. 1910. Obverse: Two swimmers in the water, one rescuing the other. The head and upper body of the person being rescued is visible but the figures of the people are not very clearly defined. In the background is an indistinct shore. Around the edge in a sans-serif font are the words “THE ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY ESTABLISHED 1891” Reverse: Around the edge in the same sans-serif font are the words “QUEMCUNQUE MISERUM VEDERIS HOMINEM SCIAS” which may be translated as ‘Whomsoever you see in distress, recognize him