Rookie Rescue Skills

Supporting children with extra needs 

Rookie Rescue Skills is the new RLSS UK programme for children with disabilities. We recognise that not all children will have the opportunity to participate in the Rookie Lifeguard programme, so we’ve worked with Level Water, our strategic partner, to ensure that all children can access basic self-rescue and lifesaving skills. Rookie Rescue Skills classes are kept small so that there’s plenty of time for one-to-one teaching and support. They are designed as a progression from the one-to-one swimming lessons that are often required by children with disabilities when they begin their swimming journey.

Prerequisites for the Rookie Rescue Skills Programme

  • This programme is for children aged 6 or over, and
  • Able to meet the swimming skills at the Stage 3 Swim England Learn to Swim programme or an equivalent level

Course Content

The Rookie Rescue Skills programme is designed to teach children with disabilities water safety awareness and basic self-rescue and rescue techniques.

Topics covered during the course include:
  • The dangers of water
  • How to survive in water
  • How to be rescued
  • How to summon help
  • How to rescue others
These topics are brought to life with fun and games designed to improve the Rookies' confidence in water and swimming ability while teaching them valuable skills that will stay with them for life.