The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is an organisation for drowning prevention, water safety, lifesaving

Lifesaving

Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often refers to water safety and aquatic rescue however it could include ice rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and other emergency medical services. Lifesaving also refers to sport where lifesavers compete...

and lifesaving sport.

Definition

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) is The world authority in the global effort to prevent drowning and regroups over 100 national life saving organisations/federations aiming at improving water safety, drowning prevention, water rescue, lifesaving and lifeguarding and lifesaving sport. ILS is a non-political, non-religious, worldwide organisation that leads the worldwide effort to reduce injury and death in, on, or around the water.

The supreme authority of ILS is the General Assembly in which member organisations are represented. The Elective General Assembly elects a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors conducts the business of ILS between meetings of the General Assembly and is chaired by the President. The General Secretariat (Headquarters) is currently located in Leuven (Belgium) and houses the administration.

ILS has installed four Regional Branches. The Branches are established in and for Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe and are responsible for initiating, supervising and coordinating regional activities.

ILS has created Commissions which in turn are composed of Committees and Working Groups responsible for the management, development and technical aspects of each major ILS field of activity.

ILS also cooperates with partner organisations, governments, non-government organisations (NGOs) and sponsors to promote lifesaving worldwide.