|
An organisation dedicated to saving human lives.
 The
Rashtriya Life Saving Society (India) was launched
in 1988. The RLSS is the Indian chapter of the
Royal Life Saver's Society, an international
organisation with branches in 50 countries, dedicated
to saving human lives in accident situations and
providing training in life-saving techniques.
The Indian society commenced lifesaving training,
starting with military establishments and clubs
in Pune. RLSS (India) is the brainchild of Rear
Admiral Sharma, who was convinced that a great
many drowning tragedies could have been averted
if people were trained in life saving techniques.
 The
RLSS covers training in life saving and first
aid techniques and encompasses the following.
Life Saving:
- Swimming pool rules. Mandatory
safety procedures and equipment at swimming
pools.
- The role of a lifeguard. Accident prevention.
Facility analysis and supervision. Aquatic emergency
recognition and intervention.
- Lifeguard skills and procedures. Public relations
and education. Aquatic emergency care. Swimming
and leisure. Pool operation and safety.
- Practical training and practice in aquatic
skills. Training in first aid procedures for
injuries and other physical emergencies.
- Testing Lifesavers, Lifeguards and First Aid
volunteers in theory and practical drills in
lifesaving and casualty revival.
- Hand signals for communications between lifeguards
and users at sports facilities and waterfronts.
- Expired Air Resuscitation (EAR) & Cardio
Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) DR ABC: Danger
– Response - Airway (Clear?) - Breathing
(Present?) - Circulation (Pulse?) - The Recovery
Position.
First Aid:
- Bleeding External, Bleeding
Internal, Fractures and Dislocations. Head,
neck and back injuries.
- Shock, Electric Shock, Burns (Simple-Deep-the
9% rule-Chemical burns)
- Ear Emergencies, Eye Emergencies (Foreign
object or chemical in the eye.) Nose emergencies.
- Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion, Hypothermia
and Frostbite. Poisoning, Seizures, Snakebite.
Emergency Childbirth.
 RLSS
endeavours to train anyone willing to learn to be
a Lifesaver, Lifeguard or First Aid
Volunteer. A lifesaver, according to the RLSS, is
a person who is engaged in any form of water
sport and is aware of life saving techniques and
procedures. His /her acumen and prompt response
is vital for first aid and revival of a casualty.
A” Lifeguard" is not only a "Lifesaver"
but also a lot more. He prevents accidents and makes
a facility safe.He is a friend, guide, a coach and
a doctor in an emergency. He can be deployed at
the recreational facility of a swimming pool, on
a river, lake or on a beach. His skills and attitude
are assets for security and well being of the public.
A "First Aid Volunteer", like a
Lifesaver or a Lifeguard develops an attitude to
help and acquires the skills to assist. He is the
"Para-Medic" ready to lend a hand
and revive a casualty.
 To
achieve its aims, the RLSS organises training at
the district level for trainers who would then be
expected to take the movement ahead. To conduct
a training session, they would need a classroom
with an overhead projector, black board and a VCR/VCP
to be able to explain the concepts in theory and
show training films & slides. Practical training
would require a swimming pool where training would
be given and concepts such as EAR & CPR explained
& demonstrated with the help of a mannequin.
A person desirous of getting trained to be a lifeguard
would need to invest forty to fifty instructional
hours and around thirty to thirty five hours to
train as a life saver.
 The
mannequin is imported and costs around Rs.10, 000/-
a piece. Ropes and Poles needed for training do
not cost much. A training centre would, hence, cost
approximately Rs.15, 000/- to be set up. The VCR
and Overhead Projector could be hired when the need
arises. Life membership to RLSS is Rs. 100/- for
an adult, Rs.50/- for children between the ages
of twelve to eighteen and Rs. 25/- for children
below the age of twelve.
The cost of training to be a lifeguard (Commercial)
is Rs.2000/- and Lifesaver is Rs. 500/-. inclusive
of life membership and certification. The fee structure
for imparting group training would vary according
to the number of trainees enrolled. For more information,
contact:
RASHTRIYA LIFE SAVING SOCIETY (INDIA),
Gulmohar Cottages, 8/103 Viman Nagar,
PUNE 411014; Phone- 6631790.
Rahul Surkund
|
