International Life Saving Federation

Formed in 1994, the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is the non-profit association of aquatic lifesavers and lifesaving organizations for the entire world. It is composed of aquatic lifesaving organizations from countries organized into four regions: Africa, Americas, Asia/Pacific and Europe with Member Federations in each of these regions. Member Federations are admitted by the ILS Board of Directors. Affiliation to ILS is available to international, national and other not-for-profit organizations that pursue the aims and objectives of ILS, are recognized by ILS and agree to submit to the ILS Constitution and Bye-Laws.

There are three categories of membership for federations: Full Member, Associate Member, and Corresponding Member. Each nation is allowed one Full Member, two Associate Members and unlimited Corresponding Members. The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) is the Full Member representing the United States. The American Red Cross and the YMCA are the two Associate Members representing the United States.

Through the work of ILS and its member federations, ILS leads the global effort to reduce injury and death in, on or around the water. This is accomplished by:

• Assisting existing national lifesaving organizations;
• Facilitating and developing a global exchange of lifesaving information and best practices;
• Helping establish lifesaving organizations in areas of the world where they are needed, but do not exist;
• Acting as the international federation for lifesaving sport; and
• Cooperating with other international bodies with shared goals.

A major goal of ILS is to assist lifesavers and medical doctors in advancing the treatment of drowning victims and others who sustain aquatic-related injuries. ILS works to help exchange information among medical experts and lifesavers of the world and to identify best medical practices related to the aquatic environment. The medical commission of ILS has worked hard in developing position statements regarding aquatic topics of particular importance. Some of these position statements include:

• The use of abdominal thrusts in near drowning;
• The use of automatic defibrillation by lifesavers and lifeguards;
• The use of oxygen by lifeguards; and
• Communicable diseases.

To view these position statements and others developed by the medical commission, visit the following ILS website link: http://www.ilsf.org/medical/position_statements.html.

For further information on the International Life Saving Federation, visit the Federation's website at www.ilsf.org.

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