If you have a specific question about the rules that you want answered, you can raise the issue direct with the ILS Sport Commission through the e-mail address sport@ilsf.org
- Lifesaving World Championships and ILS Sanctioned Competitions:
- 1.1 – ILS Competition Rule Book: Technical Bulletins, Translations
- 1.2 – Lifesaving World Championships Handbook: Translations
- 1.3 – LWC Entry Guide Times
- 1.4 – SERC Coaches, Competitors and Technical Officials Guide
- 1.5 – ILS Competition Rule Book Short Course Pool Events
- 1.6 – File Archive
- 1.7 – Records
- 1.8 – Policies
- World Games Rules
- European Championships Rules
1. Lifesaving World Championships & ILS Sanctioned Competitions
1.1. ILS Competition Rule Book (lifesaving sport competition generally)
- The ILS Competition Rule Book governs ILS championships and ILS sanctioned competitions.
- As necessary before the next edition, changes to or clarifications regarding rules, standards or procedures for ILS competition are published as bulletins.
- The latest version applies to all ILS World Championships and other Sanctioned events.
1.1.1. Technical Bulletins
From time to time the ILS will issue Technical Bulletins to clarify rules where required, or to advise of minor changes that are essential to ensure a clear understanding of specific rules.
1.1.2 Translations of the ILS Competition Rulebook
Lifesaving colleagues from various countries are producing translated versions of the ILS Competition Rulebook and LWC Competition Handbook in their native language. We are pleased to make these available for download.
Note that the official English version remains the source document in the need for any final arbitration of the rules.
Chinese Language
Our colleagues in the Chinese Taipei Water Life Saving Association have kindly provided Chinese translations.
Spanish Language
Our colleagues in the Equipo Profesional de Salvamento Acuatico, (EPSA) from Argentina have kindly provided a Spanish translation of the updated ILS Competition Rulebook.
Japanese Language
Our colleagues in the Japanese Lifesaving Association (JLA) have kindly provided a Japanese translation of the updated ILS Competition Rulebook.
1.2. ILS LWC Competition Handbook (Lifesaving World Championships – LWC)
For ILS world championships, consult the Lifesaving World Championships Competition Handbook in conjunction with the ILS Competition Rule Book and ILS Sport Commission Bulletins.
LWC2026
Coming Soon
1.2.1 Competition Handbook Translations
1.3 LWC Entry Guide Times
For the LWC Championships the Entry Guide Times for Interclub Youth, Interclub Open and Masters Pool individual events are shown in this document. Competitors entered in these events must be able to demonstrate that they have achieved this guide time before entering.
LWC2026
Coming Soon
LWC2024
1.4 SERC Coaches, Competitors and Technical Officials Guide
The ILS Sport Commission has provided an updated SERC guide for Coaches, Competitors and Technical Officials (revised January 2020).
1.5 ILS Competition Rule Book Short Course Pool Events
The ILS Sport Commission has produced a Short Course Pool Events Addendum that modifies the standard competition rules for 25m short course swimming pools. The rules and disqualifications are described in the main ILS 2019 Competition Rule Book unless otherwise specified within the rules in the Addendum.
1.6 File Archive
- SERC Coaches, Competitors and Technical Officials Guide April 12, 2016
- ILS Sports Commission 2018 Bulletin No. 1 – Final 30 April
- ILS Sports Commission 2018 Bulletin No. 2 – Final 16 July
- 2018 Lifesaving World Championships Competition Handbook (April 2018 Update)
- 2018 Lifesaving World Championships Competition Handbook (Chinese)
- The ILS Competition Rulebook 2015-2019 Edition Revised 2017 (Chinese)
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ILS March Past Event Rules LWC 2018 V4 ILS Competition Rulebook 2015-2019 Edition Revised 2017 – (April 2018 Update)ILS Competition Rulebook 2015-2019 Edition (English)ILS Competition Rulebook 2015-2019 Edition (Chinese)2016 Lifesaving World Championships HandbookILS Competition Manual 2013ILS Competition Manual 2011ILS Competition Manual 2007-
ILS Competition Rule Book Technical Bulletin #1, Q & A – April 12, 2016 ILS Competition Rule Book Technical Bulletin #2 – April 12, 2016ILS Competition Manual – Technical Bulletin 2 – Manikin Carry – June 10, 2014ILS Competition Manual – Technical Bulletin 1 – Manikin Carry – November 14, 2013
1.7 Records
Most member nations of ILS organise National Lifesaving Championships both pool and beach-surf events. Records can be set if the event organisers comply with the ILS Event Sanctioning rules.
1.8 Policies
ILS Swim Suit Policy: Dress of Competitors – Costumes, Dress and Style
2. World Games Rules
ILS publishes specially adapted rules for the World Games.
- World Games 2017 Rules
World Games 2009 RulesWorld Games 2005 Rules Supplement