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Organized international lifesaving activities date back to 1878, when the first World Congress was held in Marseille, France. A need for an international forum to exchange ideas was soon recognized. This led firstly to the establishment of the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS) in 1910 and then to the formation of World Life Saving (WLS). Both organizations were established to promote lifesaving throughout the world. While FIS was focused on stillwater, WLS was more focused on ocean lifesaving. Lifesaving sport was primarily intended to encourage lifesavers to develop, maintain and improve the essential physical and mental skills needed to save lives in the aquatic environment.
On February 24, 1993, in Leuven, Belgium, FIS and WLS were merged into a single, worldwide lifesaving organization known as the International Life Saving Federation (ILS). ILS was officially constituted by the ILS General Assembly in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, on September 3, 1994.
Since then, ILS has provided the single uniting force of lifesaving around the world. ILS is the international federation which oversees lifesaving sport and is the world's governing body for lifesaving and lifeguarding, for over 33 million members in 131 organizations.
The international liaisons forged by sport have helped greatly in advancing international exchanges of information on lifesaving practices.
Lifesaving competitions consist of a variety of competitions to further develop and demonstrate lifesaving skills, fitness and motivation. The lifesaving competitions are held in stillwater (pool), in the ocean and on the beach.
The stillwater events are mainly held in a pool. These events require technical skills and speed.
Individual Events
| 200m Swimming with Obstacles |
The competitor swims 200m in freestyle during which he swims under eight obstacles. |
| 100m Saving a Manikin with Fins |
The competitor swims 50m in freestyle with fins and picks up the manikin from the bottom which he carries it to the finish. |
| 50m Saving a Manikin |
The competitor swims 25m in freestyle and then picks up the manikin after which he tows it to the finish. |
| 100m Combined Rescue Medley |
After a 50m swim in freestyle the competitor swims under the water (20m for men and 15m for women) to pick up the manikin and carry it to the finish. |
| 100m Saving a Manikin with Fins & Rescue Tube |
The competitor dives into the water and swims 50 metres in freestyle with fins and rescue tube. At the turning edge the competitor fixes the rescue tube around the manikin and tows it to the finish. |
| 200m Super Lifesaver |
After a 75m swim in freestyle and a 25m carry of the manikin the competitor puts on the fins and rescue tube and swims 50m in freestyle followed by fixing the rescue tube around the manikin and towing it to the finish. |
| 100m Lifesaving by Boat |
The competitor jumps into the boat, rows to a buoy, turns around it, rows to an immersed Manikin, lifts it at the pool mirror edge and returns to the buoy using one oar, turns around it, and returns to the finish line still using only one oar. |
Team Events
| 4 x 25m Manikin Relay |
Four competitors carry a manikin 25m each. |
| 4 x 50m Obstacle Relay |
Four competitors swim 50m in freestyle each passing under two obstacles. |
| 4 x 50m Rescue Tube Relay |
Four competitors swim 50m using a different technique. The first swims 50m in freestyle, the second 50m freestyle with fins, the third pulls a rescue tube swimming in freestyle, and the fourth takes over the rescue tube and swims freestyle with fins towing the third competitor who is holding on to the rescue tube. |
| Simulated Emergency Response |
The purpose of the event is to assess the initiative and judgment of a group of lifesavers in applying lifesaving skills in a simulated emergency situation. A number of victims are positioned in and around the swimming pool. A team of 4 lifesavers then enters the pool area and determine priorities in helping as much as possible the victims during a period of two minutes. |
The ocean events are most spectacular and fun to watch. The race and results are often unpredictable as currents and waves play a major role. These events require experience, tactics and endurance from the athletes.
Individual Events
| Surf Race |
From behind the starting line the competitors run in the water and swim approximately a 400m distance rounding a set of buoys and returning to shore. |
| Board Race |
On the starting signal the competitors enter the water with their boards and paddle around the buoys to return to the beach and cross the finish line. |
| Ski Race |
On the starting signal the ski is paddled around all buoys and return to the beach. |
| Ironman / Ironwoman Race |
This event is conducted over a course which shall include a swim leg, a board leg, a ski leg, and finish with a beach sprint leg.
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| Beach Flags |
At the start line the competitors lie face down with their toes on the start line. Upon the signal they get up, turn around and run approximately 20m trying to get a baton. There are always be less batons than competitors and the intent is for each competitor to gain a baton. A competitor who fails to gain a baton is thereby eliminated. |
| 2km Beach Run |
The competitors run a 2000m course made up of four (two) legs of 500m each. |
| Beach Sprint |
the competitors run a 90m sprint between running lanes that a separated by ropes are laid on the beach to assist runners keep a straight course. |
Team Events
| Rescue Tube Rescue Race |
The event consists of four persons - a patient, Rescue Tube swimmer and two rescuers. The rescue tube swimmer swims out behind the buoy line to secure the rescue tube around the patient and then tow the patient back to the beach. On return to the beach, two rescuers must drag or carry the patient past the finish line. |
| Taplin Relay Race |
Teams comprise 4 competitors (1 swimmer, 1 board paddler, 1 ski paddler, 1 runner). |
| Board Rescue Race |
the patient swims to his allotted buoy and signifies his arrival at the buoy by raising his arm. The rescuer then enters the water and paddles to the patient, who gets on the front of the board and assists the rescuer by paddling the board on the return to shore. |
| Beach Relay |
A team of 4 competitors each complete a leg of the 90m course with a baton held in their hand and pass it to the next runner. |
| Surf Boat Race |
A boat crew consists of five competitors, four of which are rowers and the fifth controls the boat by a sweep oar. On the starting signal the boats are rowed around their turning marks and return to the beach. |
| IRB Competition |
On the starter's signal, the crew launches the IRB from the beach, proceeds through the surf, picks-up their patient, round their buoy and return to shore. |
A select number of these events are staged during a particular edition of The World Games.
 Lifesaving at The World Games 2005
Lifesaving events on the Official Sports Program of The World Games 2009 Kaohsiung:
Beach (Men, Women) and Pool (Men, Women) with various events.
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