About Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Commonwealth

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) is a Commonwealth organization that was founded in London, England in 1891. It is now represented in some 50 countries worldwide. Her Majesty the Queen is the Patron and HRH Prince Michael of Kent is the active Commonwealth President. RLSSC Commonwealth is governed by a Commonwealth Council, chaired by Prince Michael. The High Commissioners of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa are among its members. The Society’s Commonwealth Secretariat is based the United Kingdom.

RLSS is the recognized leader of water safety education, lifesaving and lifeguarding in the Commonwealth, and it gives a high priority to the active promotion of lifesaving skills in developing countries. Annually, over 1.25 million Society awards are taken worldwide.

Mission Statement
The RLSS is one of the world’s leading agencies in water safety education and in training in lifesaving, life support and lifeguarding.

The RLSS will use the strength of its long-standing links to coordinate the development of skills and organizations in those countries that require that support.

The Role of the RLSS

1. To act as the lead coordinating organisation within international lifesaving responsible for the identification of needs and delivery of Development Aid programs and resources to ensure sustainable indigenous organizations worldwide.
2. To promote the value of the RLSS within countries that have or desire to have links with the Commonwealth, and to encourage them to contribute to the development of lifesaving and leading to the eventual memberships of societies from these countries, for their continued benefit.
3. To take a leadership and partnership role in coordinating drowning prevention initiatives and activities worldwide by facilitating the production, development and communication of public water safety education, lifesaving and lifeguarding programs.