University Competitions
Lifesaving sport has been described as, "The most demanding multi-discipline sport in the world," and for good reason. What other sport would require you to swim fifty metres, submerge for twenty-five metres, pick up a manikin weighing the same as a adult and tow them for a further twenty-five metres, all under race conditions?! This certainly isn't swimming in your pyjamas! We offer members the opportunity to travel to around fifteen universities across the length and breadth of the UK, from Southampton to Aberdeen, competing in the BULSCA leagues. We also host our own competition in December, usually attended by over 100 students. Moreover, with additional chances to compete in RLSS nationals, members won't be short of chances to improve their competitive skills. So, what does an average competition consist of? Each mixed sex team contains four members, one of which is nominated as the team captain. The events generally go as follows:
- Dry SERC: The team enters a room where a mock incident has occurred - there's blood everywhere, someone has sawn their own hand off. Somebody else has chemical burns. Another casualty may have bone protruding through their arm. A car is on its roof, with flames pouring out of the windows. The possibilities are endless. The team has two minutes to contain the situation and perform any first aid. They are judged on their efficiency, and their teamwork.
- Wet SERC: The team is then led to the pool, where another mock incident has been staged. For example, a plane may have crashed, and passengers are injured in the water. Again, the team has two minutes to bring the situation under control and to rescue as many people as possible.
- Line throw relay: The pool is divided into lanes, and a rope placed across the pool twelve metres from the deep end. Three team members swim out to the rope, with the remaining member standing on the side holding another rope. When the race starts, the team member on the side coils the rope, throws it to one member in the water and pulls them into the side. They then climb out and do the same thing. When every team member has been rescued, the team finishes the race.
- Swim and tow relay: Again in lanes, the first rescuer swims fifty metres to a team member acting as a casualty. The rescuer then tows the casualty for a further fifty metres. The casualty then becomes a rescuer and swims off to collect another casualty. The race finishes when every team member has been rescued.
- A speed lifesaving event: This is a wildcard event, and varies from competition to competition.
After a BULSCA competition, the host club organises a social event, usually involving drinking games, copious amounts of alcohol, and dancing to cheesy music until the club we are in kicks out. They are not to be missed.
N/B: Teams are selected under the guidance of the club's team selection policy, a copy of which can be downloaded here. Each competitor is required to pay a non-refundable competition fee of £15 to secure their position on the team.
Archives (Coming Soon)
Season 2006/2007
Season 2005/2006
|
Season 2007/2008
| Click here for the detailed 2007/2008 BULSCA league results. |
| Date |
Competition |
A Team |
B Team |
Multimedia |
| 27 Oct |
Southampton |
11/26 |
N/A |
|
| 17 Nov |
Warwick |
18/35 |
24/35 |
|
| 24 Nov |
Bath |
14/25 |
17/25 |
|
| 8 Dec |
London |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| 9 Feb |
Nottingham |
- |
- |
|
| 16 Feb |
Birmingham |
- |
- |
|
| 01 Mar |
BULSCA Champs |
- |
- |
|
| 8 Mar |
RLSS Speeds |
- |
- |
|
| 3 May |
Loughborough |
- |
- |
|
|
