Heritage Awards (now superceded)

Once the Heritage Bronze Medallion was completed, the next challenge was to improve knowledge and skills even further! The Heritage Award of Merit established Proficient skill levels in water rescue situations. The Heritage Open Water Awards (Bronze and Silver Cross) were trained and assessed in the Open Water environment (summer months only!). With the prerequisites of Life Support, Award of Merit and Silver Cross candidates tested their knowledge, skill and practical ability, and established Excellence so gaining the Heritage Distinction, the highest award the RLSS offered in Lifesaving. A Distinction award is still achievable in the new Survive & Save programme, but not as a separate test. It is now awarded automatically to those who achieve a Gold Medal in three of the four different areas of lifesaving.