INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATIONWorld Water Safety

GUIDELINESFORINTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

2018

International Lifesaving FederationCertification Guidelines

Page 2

INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATIONWorld Water Safety
Gemeenteplein 26 – 3010 Leuven – Belgium
Tel: (32.16) 89.60.60 – E-mail: ils.hq@telenet.be - Web: www.ilsf.org

GUIDELINESFORINTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

1.

INTRODUCTION
1.1

The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) has identified possible career paths, orlines of work and established a set of International Certificates to identify various
achievement levels within each path. Each Certificate requires mastery of ILS-specified
core knowledge and skill competencies.

1.2

The International Certificate concept serves two purposes:••

1.3

In this document, some of the following questions are answered:
••
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

1.4

It establishes an international set of criteria that can be used by Member
Organisations.
It serves as an international standard or reference, against which existing awards
and qualifications can be accredited.

Who can issue an International Certificate?
What does an applicant obtain?
Why obtain an International Certificate?
How many types of certificates does ILS issue?
What is the accreditation process?
What if a Member Organisation has no Certification System?
What are the basic accreditation guidelines and course content of Lifesaving andLifeguarding Certificates?
What are the Minimum Requirements that must be performed in order to obtain an
International Certificate?
What is the procedure to order an International Certificate: step-by-step?
What is the procedure to seek approval to use the ILS Logo as an endorsement on
Member Organisation’s Certificates?

All ILS Member countries are encouraged to promote the ILS Certification system.International Lifesaving Federation
Certification Guidelines

2.

3.

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STATEMENTS
2.1

The ILS Certificate is not a license that guarantees employment. Instead it provides aninternational benchmark of achievement, an indicator of potential performance level. It
can be used to help determine at which level to slot appropriately into the programme ofany member organisation the holder of an ILS Certificate.

2.2

The ILS Certificate demonstrates successful completion of approved knowledge and skill
objectives. However, every Member Organisation retains the right to test for other skills
and knowledge and to request other training. The ILS Certificate is not intended tosupersede the existing national Certificate.

2.3

In administrating the ILS Certification Programmes, the primary focus should be placedon the successful demonstration of documented knowledge and skill objectives. The
secondary focus is placed on the time needed to acquire these competencies.

2.4

Honesty in reporting is the basis of any ILS Certification. Any Certificate issued to aMember Organisation will be immediately declared null and void if it is determined thatthe Member Organisation misrepresented itself to ILS.

2.5

No time limit is set on the validity period of an ILS Certificate. However, the validity period
will be re-assessed if major changes occur regarding the core knowledge and/or skill
competencies that form the basic content of the individual ILS Certificate or that of theMember Organisation’s Certificate(s). It is recognised that some Member Organisations
regulate the validity period for their own awards and qualifications.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
3.1

Who can issue an International Certificate?
An International Certificate is to be issued, through the Member Organisation, by the ILS
Headquarters. Relevant information on the person who obtained an International
Certificate is kept up to date in the ILS Central Databank. All information retained issubject to Data Protection legislation.

3.2

What does an applicant obtain?
Every applicant obtains:a.
b.

A Certificate (see example of the Certificate in APPENDIX 01).
An identity card with photo and number (see example in APPENDIX 02). The
number of each Certificate is built up using three elements:•The official abbreviation of the country.
•The year of issue in two digits.
•
The reference number in three to four digits.
c. An appropriate coloured badge (see example in APPENDIX 02).
d. An appropriate coloured pin (see example in APPENDIX 02).
This pack is contained in an ILS presentation cover.
3.3

Why obtain an International Certificate?
To provide an international benchmark for lifesavers and lifeguards worldwide.

3.4

How many types of certificates are issued by ILS?
An overview of the ILS Certification system is given in APPENDIX 03.

International Lifesaving Federation
Certification Guidelines

3.5

What is the accreditation process?
a.

b.

c.

3.6Page 4

A Member Organisation that has existing National Certificates can ask ILS to apply atest for achievement of the ILS Standard. This means that, if all rules are followed, aperson with an approved National Certificate can automatically obtain theappropriate International Certificate.
ILS Member Organisations are responsible for providing quality assurance of theirprogrammes at the local level.
•If someone presents a currently valid ILS Certificate from another country, it isstill incumbent on that ILS Member Organisation to assure the quality of theirown programmes.
•This quality assurance is particularly important in those instances where thecontent of the local programme does not exceed, but only matches the ILS
Standard that must be met for ILS accreditation.
The steps to be followed by the Member Organisations are:
Step 1: The Member Organisation submits a written request for accreditation ofone or more of its Certificates to the ILS Secretary General. The written
request must be accompanied by:•a summary overview of the content of the relevant National Course (inEnglish) presented in accordance with the ILS Certificate Pro Forma,•a copy of the course books or manuals,•a description of the tests or syllabus (with a summary in English).
•the completed Certification Accreditation Request Form (APPENDIX04)
Step 2: The Secretary General forwards the application to the Education
Committee Chair who will conduct a review before consulting with theMembers of the Committee. The Committee Chair will ask for more
information if the files are not complete.
Step 3: The Education Committee (dis)approves the accreditation. If necessary,
the Education Committee can propose additional courses and/or tests.
Step 4: The Education Committee Chair advises the Lifesaving Commission of thedecision of the Education Committee to grant or not grant accreditation.
Step 5: The Lifesaving Commission advises the Board of Directors of the decision.
Step 6: The Secretary General informs the Member Organisation of the decision.
Step 7: If a Member Organisation's criteria change, ILS must be advised and viceversa.
Step 8: The Member Organisation receiving accreditation is included on theInternational listing of ILS Accredited Programmes.

What if a Member Organisation has no certification system?
The Member Organisation may adopt the ILS Standards.

3.7

What if a Member Organisation has no equivalent certification?
The Member Organisation may adopt the ILS Standards.

3.8

What are the basic accreditation guidelines and course content of Lifesaving andLifeguarding Certificates?
The detailed description of the minimum ILS accreditation guidelines for Lifesaving andLifeguarding certificates are given in APPENDIX 05. Countries are invited to comply as
precise as possible with these guidelines.

3.9

What are the minimum requirements that must be performed to obtain an
International Certificate?

Page 5International Lifesaving FederationCertification Guidelines

The detailed description of the minimum requirements for each is given in the appropriate
APPENDIX, namely:••••••••••••••••••••••••

International Junior Lifesaver
International Lifesaver
International Pool LifeguardInternational Inland Open Water LifeguardInternational Surf LifeguardInternational Junior Lifesaver Instructor
International Lifesaver Instructor
International Pool Lifeguard Instructor
International Inland Open Water Lifeguard Instructor
International Surf Lifeguard Instructor
Overview of Rescue Diver's CertificatesInternational Open Water Diver (*)
International Rescue Diver (**)
International Rescue Dive Master (***)
International Rescue Dive Instructor *International Rescue Dive Instructor **International Rescue Dive Instructor ***International Rescue Boat Crew
International Rescue Boat DriverInternational Jet Ki Operator
International AED Certificate
International AED Instructor
International K9 Certificate
International K9 Instructor

APPENDIX 06.
APPENDIX 07.
APPENDIX 08.
APPENDIX 09.
APPENDIX 10.
APPENDIX 11.
APPENDIX 12.
APPENDIX 13.
APPENDIX 14.
APPENDIX 15.
APPENDIX 16.
APPENDIX 17.
APPENDIX 18.
APPENDIX 19.
APPENDIX 20.
APPENDIX 21.
APPENDIX 22.
APPENDIX 23.
APPENDIX 24.
APPENDIX 25.
APPENDIX 26.
APPENDIX 27.
APPENDIX 28.
APPENDIX 29.

3.10 What is the procedure to order an International Certificate: step-by-step?
Once the accreditation has been approved, a Member Organisation can order Certificatesfrom ILS Headquarters, following these steps:
Step 1: The Member Organisation receives from the applicant:•A completed request form for an International Certificate (APPENDIX 30).
•
A copy of the relevant National Certificate.
•
Two original passport size photographs per requested certificate.
•A certain amount of money to cover the administrative costs for thehandling of the Certificates.
Step 2: The National Member Organisation will verify the membership status and sign
the request form before sending it to the ILS-Headquarters.
Step 3: At the ILS Headquarters, the data will be put in the database, the International
Certificate prepared, signed by ILS and sent back to the Member Organisation
when all payments are duly settled.
Step 4: The Certificate will be verified and signed by the Member Organisation and thenbe mailed to the applicant.
3.11 What is the procedure to seek approval to use the ILS Endorsement Logo as anendorsement on Member Organisation’s Certificates?
Once the use of the ILS Logo has been approved, a Member Organisation should takethe following Steps.
Step 1: The Member Organisation submits a formal written request to the ILS Headquarters outlining the Certificate, on which it proposes to use the ILS logo,
enclosing the appropriate annual endorsement fee.
Step 2: ILS Headquarters processes the application and forwards a template of the ILS
Endorsement Logo.

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International Lifesaving Federation
Certification Guidelines

Step 3:
Step 4:The Member Organisation produces appropriate dual branded Certificates.
The Member Organisation submits the list of the certified people in an excel
format so that they can be included in the ILS database.

Note: Only Full Members can use the ILS logo on Certificates3.12 Who can apply for approval to use the ILS Endorsement Logo when the ILS Full
Member is in a partnership with a third party?
a.
b.
c.

4.

Only Full Members can apply for ILS Standard or ILS Endorsement.
Only Certificates on which the Full Member is clearly identified can include the ILS
Endorsed logo. That is the ILS Endorsed logo can only be used in conjunction withthe Full Member logo.
The ILS Endorsed logo must be immediately removed from the Certificate upon
dissolution of the partnership.

FINANCIAL ASPECTS
4.1

International Certificates
The Board of Directors of the ILS determines the costs of the International Certificates.
The costs do not include Bank charges and return mailing cost, which are theresponsibility of the Member Organisation.
The costs of the International Certificates are set at 20 Euro per Certificate. Eachcertificate includes a printed personal ILS Certificate in cover with matching ID card, pin
and woven badgea.
b.

4.2

Bank costs: Member Organisations are requested to take care of all bank costs, sothat the full amount of 20 Euro per certificate is paid to the ILS bank account.
Mailing costs: the mailing cost is invoiced together with the cost of the deliveredcertificates.

ILS Endorsement Fee
Those Member Organisations not willing to purchase International Certificates, but rather
willing to include the ILS Endorsement Logo on the Member Organisation’s Certificate,will be levied the following Endorsement Fees:
AmountIn Euro
250
500
1.000
7.500

Scope
One-year license for up to 1.000 Certificates.
One-year license for 1.000 - 5.000 Certificates.
One-year license for over 5.000 Certificates.
Licence to use the logo on all Certificates for a period of 10 years.

Those nations will have the authorisation to add the ILS logo on each certificate and card
as well as the words: CERTIFICATE APPROVED BY THE ILS.

Guidelines approved by the ILS Board of Directors on 01/12/2000. Amendments approved by the Board of Directors on
04/09/2001 and ratified by the General Assembly of 2004. Amendments approved by the Board of Directors on 21/04/2012 and06/11/2012 and ratified by the General Assembly on 07/11/2012.