Additional statement relating to lifesaving activity and clubs – 21 July 2021
On 17 July, the charity released a statement to continue to protect lifesavers and lifeguards, especially
as transmission rates of COVID-19 remain high.

However, we have come to the decision that some of our adjustments for water-based lifesaving
activity, in the current climate can be relaxed. This guidance sets out a revised adjustment.

Clubs and instructors are still reminded to communicate with their operator and to check and amend
their risk assessment that is bespoke to their individual activities. We also remind clubs and instructors
to consult with members, candidates, and their carers/guardians about any changes to your
operations.

Organisational Position Statement – 17 July 2021

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still prevalent within the UK and Ireland, with cases and those affected by
the virus increasing daily. Therefore, any revisions to our practices must be thoroughly conducted and
carefully considered to ensure the safety of everyone.

This past week, three UK governments have announced some decisions or intentions to lift
restrictions, mainly concerning social distancing and the wearing of face coverings. They also warned
that extreme caution is absolutely vital and stressed that we must all take responsibility for tackling
the rapidly spreading virus, including an expectation on companies to continue imposing anti-COVID19 measures.

RLSS UK has worked closely with partners, experts, and advisors to consider our guidance and any
changes that potentially could be made, given the imminent lifting of most legal pandemic restrictions
in England.

All our training and assessment contains practical elements (all essential to developing necessary
skills) where individuals are required to be in extremely close proximity, sometimes just inches from
other’s faces; this presents a significant and concerning risk in the current climate.

Until such a time that the spread of COVID-19 is more controlled, we will ask our Trainer Assessors,
Instructors, Tutors, Clubs, Training Providers, and Centres; to continue to follow the RLSS UK guidance
for training and assessing during COVID-19, available here.

Please be reassured that this decision has not come lightly, and everyone’s safety has been
paramount.

Where current guidance refers to social distancing, you will need to follow the measurement for social
distancing provided by your government. Where your government dictates no distance, we strongly
recommend you adopt 1 metre as a minimum.

We will continue to review this statement regularly, along with government information, COVID-19
transmission rates, and ongoing vaccination programme success. We hope in time to ease our
guidance in a controlled and measured way.

We thank you for your understanding and for continuing to help protect our nations.

What do I need to do now?

To comply with government guidance clubs/instructors should review their risk assessment and talk to your owner and operator to ensure that you are complying with their own operating procedures, especially considering the movement of members/candidates in and out of sessions.

It is ultimately the decision of the facility operator to communicate when lifesaving/club activity can return so please be mindful that activity may not be able to restart immediately as restrictions ease.

RLSS UK Club and Lifesaving Guidance

This RLSS UK Guidance for Operating a Lifesaving Club During COVID-19 is to provide support to Lifesaving Clubs and Lifesaving Instructors, whilst they continue their vital work.

The original document was launched on 10 July 2020 following a period of consultation and a hosted webinar on 02 July, click here to watch the webinar and read the Q&As linked to this document.

The guidance details adjustments that should be made to how the club is run, as well as a sample a risk assessment and details on cleaning equipment and using PPE. The guidance is not exhaustive and further guidance may be sort from other organisations.