Lifesaving
Student Club
Fancy trying out a new sport that you’ve probably never seen in action before? Are you a first aider or swimmer wanting to spice things up? Want to learn skills that might save someone’s life one day? If the answer to any of these questions is YES, then UoB Lifesaving is the sport for you!
Lifesaving is one of the most unique and interesting sports you will find at Birmingham. Our training involves a mixture of real-life first aid skills plus water-based rescuing, simulated emergency scenarios AND swimming… with a twist! We are the current BULSCA (British Universities Lifesaving Club’s Association) Champions of the A league and Overall Lifesaving student championship, a title we are hoping to defend in the coming year. As a club we compete across the country and offer some of the best student coaching and expertise. We welcome everyone to the club, regardless of ability, and we are here to develop your abilities to rescue, perform first aid, and swim with confidence and happiness.
We train four times a week in the pool, as well as dry side first aid-based sessions. As a member of our club, you will have the opportunity to progress in RLSS Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion awards as well as complete the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) at a discounted price. This qualification allows you to work as a lifeguard across the UK. We also offer NPLQ training hours to our members for free.
Throughout the year we attend BULSCA league competitions at other universities on Saturdays, and in December we host our own, Brum Comp. A particular highlight of the year is the BULSCA Lifesaving Student Championships. This is a whole weekend of competing at the highest level against universities from all over the country in a wider variety of events, making the lead-up an exciting time in the training calendar. We also go to speeds events like RLSS UK National Speed Lifesaving Championships, which are a great opportunity for everyone more interested in the performance swimming side of the sport, whatever their current level. Our members can come to as many or few competitions as they like, and the first competition of the season is geared towards new competitors to offer a great introduction to lifesaving competitions.
Our socials are also incredibly popular with all the members of our club. Anything from camping trips in the summer to ice skating and of course Sports Night at the Guild. There is always something to look forward to and get involved in with us. Think this sounds good? Could be a bit of you? Drop us a line on our social media or contact us via email.
Key Contact
Club Captain: Millie Dutton
Training Officer: Jess Baron
Facilities
50m Pool
Birmingham's first 50m pool, right here on campus!
Training Times
- Tuesday: 7.30am - 9.00am
- Thursday: 6.30pm - 9.30pm
- Friday: 6.15pm - 9.15pm
- Sunday: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Competition Opportunities
Teams compete in the University Lifesaving League which is made up of 7 BULSCA competitions including the Lifesaving Student Championship. We also to take a team to RLSS Speed events such as the National Speed Lifesaving championships.
Inclusion, Accessibility & Disability Practices
The Lifesaving Club is committed to inclusivity by welcoming members of all swimming abilities, including those without prior experience. The club ensures reasonable adjustments in competitions, such as allocating outer lanes for individuals with mobility impairments and using dyslexia-friendly fonts in Simulated Emergency Response Competitions (SERCs). These measures make participation accessible for all members. Furthermore, the club successfully obtained a grant from the Alumni Impact Fund to purchase CPR manikins of different races, enhancing diversity in training equipment.
The club continuously works toward making lifesaving more accessible and accommodating. By removing barriers related to swimming ability and physical impairments, members feel supported and encouraged to participate in all aspects of the sport. The club also fosters an inclusive environment by adjusting competition structures to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Efforts like these contribute to a diverse and welcoming lifesaving community.
Membership Price
As part of signing up to a Sports Club you are agreeing to the Sport and Fitness Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, Sports Club Code of Conduct and other UB Sport policies. Click here to head to Sports Club Benefits to read them.
£120 Membership fee includes:
- BULSCA Affiliation fee
- RLSS Membership fee
- Training sessions: 8 hours per week for 26 weeks
- Sport related equipment provided
- Subsidised BULSCA Championship competition fee
Extra (Not Compulsory)
- Club socials eg. Bingo, Quiz, Sports Night
- Competition fee – approx £25 per competition, this covers competition entry, travel, food, and accommodation costs.
- Opportunity to attend NPLQ course at a discounted rate
- Individual club clothing purchased – varied in price
*This is an approximate list of what the club membership may include. This can change at any point, so please confirm with the club directly on what this membership includes.
Trials and Tasters
Tasters
- Thursday 25 September 6.30pm – 9.30pm
- Friday 26 September 6.15pm – 9.15pm
- Sunday 28 September 6.00pm – 8.00pm
Meet us outside Sport and Fitness and bring swimming kit; the Thursday and Friday sessions are partly at the pool and partly dryside, and Sunday is all at the pool. For our dryside training you can wear any comfy clothes.