Bronze Medallion

This award must be taken in conjunction with Life Support, therefore the course is designed to cover both awards.

The Bronze Medallion can be taken as part of the GCSE PE swimming element and can form a section within the Duke of Edinburgh's Award at Bronze, Silver or Gold level.

Established more than 100 years ago, The Bronze Medallion is still recognised as the flagship award for lifesaving. Many hundreds of thousands of adults and children have been awarded their Bronze Medallion. The award is designed to establish competent levels of knowledge combined with practical rescue skills in simulated open water emergencies. Training and assessment is undertaken in a swimming pool.

New candidates undergo 12 weeks of structured training covering all areas of lifesaving, life support and water safety followed by 4 weeks of mock tests prior to a formal assessment that will incorporate the following:

Life support techniques Theory about water safety Rescue principles Practical sessions covering land based and wading rescue Test of strength and stamina – a timed swim with clothing of 100 metres including a 50 metre tow Rescue of struggling casualty Submerged casualty resuscitation rescue Simulated incident involving the rescue of two casualties Minimum age for candidates is 13 years (12 years for holders of an Assistant Beach Lifesaver Award, Rookie Star Grade level 4 or Lifesaving 3 award).