{"id":38459,"date":"2022-03-14T11:58:17","date_gmt":"2022-03-14T11:58:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sheffieldwire.co.uk\/?p=38459"},"modified":"2022-03-14T11:58:17","modified_gmt":"2022-03-14T11:58:17","slug":"lifesaving-competition-held-in-sheffield-over-the-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/index.php\/2022\/03\/14\/lifesaving-competition-held-in-sheffield-over-the-weekend\/","title":{"rendered":"How to save a life: swimmers compete in Sheffield competition to see who is “the best lifesaver”"},"content":{"rendered":"

A sport in which swimmers compete to see who is the most effective lifesaver took place in Sheffield over the weekend.<\/p>\n

The National Speed Lifesaving Championships<\/a> are organised by the RLSS (Royal Lifesaving Society), a charity that works to combat drowning. It took place at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.<\/p>\n

Lifesaving athletes aged 12 and upwards from across the UK and Ireland competed for national titles in the only sport that has a humanitarian foundation. Only RLSS members were allowed to participate.<\/p>\n

Aaron Dhanda, 32, who works for the RLSS, said: \u201cOn average, around 600 people drown every year in the UK and Ireland. However, we want people to enjoy water safety.<\/p>\n

“Events like this give people the chance to compete with people around the UK and Ireland to find out who\u2019s the best lifesaver.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Aaron Dhanda works for the RLSS.<\/p><\/div>\n

Prior to the event, competitions were held across the UK and Ireland, with the main competition taking place in Sheffield. It included participants from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Notably, a Ukraine flag was also on display.<\/p>\n

Competitors were separated into various age groups, and they took part in activities like the 100m Rescue Medley in which, after a 50m swim in freestyle, the competitors swam underwater to pick up a manikin and carry it to the finish line.<\/p>\n

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Over 19 men carry manikins in the competition.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Laura Purcell, 28, the manager of the team Leeds Phoenix, said: \u201cThe skills they are learning could help young people to save a life. It\u2019s about using those skills and putting in a competitive speed element.<\/p>\n

“The kids love it. A lot of them were on a pathway where they were about to quit swimming, they were fed up and this gives them something to focus towards.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Laura Purcell is the manager of the team Leeds Phoenix.<\/p><\/div>\n

Joe Cole, 19, who was in the event, spoke about the sense of community that is forged amongst lifesaving athletes.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cIt\u2019s different from swimming in that you do spend a lot of time as a team with each other; it\u2019s a lot more social. Lifesaving just made sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Joe Cole (left)
with teammate Finn Smallcombe.<\/p><\/div>\n

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