Lifesaving

Starting in the 18th century, organizations were formed to help those in need of rescue in the water. Following an international congress in 1878, these organizations were increasingly cooperating to learn from each other. One offspring of that was competitive lifesaving, a tool to train lifesavers and interest others in lifesaving.

Demonstration competitions in lifesaving were held during the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, where it was also unsuccessfully attempted to set up an international federation for the sport. That succeeded 10 years later, with the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage Aquatique (FIS). This federation eventually merged with another organization, World Life Saving (WLS), in 2013, into what is now the International Life Saving Federation (ILSF), an International Olympic Committee (IOC)-recognized organization. As of January 2026, the ILSF has 111 full members, 21 associate members, 13 corresponding members, and two affiliate members.

Pool lifesaving events have been continuously contested at the World Game since its second edition, in 1985, always with events for men and women. From 2001-2009, the competition also included contests in beach lifesaving events, and the 2005 and 2009 editions featured combined events as well.