The Grey Medallion program is a Royal Life Saving water safety and lifesaving skills initiative for older adults. It aims to encourage a healthy, independent and active lifestyle through the development of essential skills in order to participate in aquatic recreation activities safely.

The LSV pilot project ‘Helping Older Adults Become Everyday Lifesavers’ was awarded Community State Winner at the 2015 Resilient Australia Awards.

About Grey Medallion

The Grey Medallion is a practical program that provides adults with personal survival techniques, improved swimming skills, knowledge to deal with emergency situations and a thorough understanding of water safety, in order to reduce the likelihood of drowning. The program is inclusive of all abilities, including non-swimmers.

The four Grey Medallion modules are:

Water Safety Knowledge (theory)

Resuscitation and Emergency Care (theory and practical)

Aquatic Exercise (theory and practical)

Personal Survival and Lifesaving Skills (theory and practical)

Become a Grey Medallion provider

To become a Grey Medallion provider in Victoria:

Complete the LSV enquiry Form HERE

Identify instructors and organise a Grey Medallion Instructor Workshop with LSV (see below).

Before each program, complete a LSV Grey Medallion Claim Form to register the program and order Grey Medallion resources & participant awards (see below).

Grey Medallion Instructors:

All instructors are required to complete a Grey Medallion Instructor Workshop (approx. 3 hours) to deliver the Grey Medallion program.

The instructor workshops are recognised by AUSTSWIM re-registration hours

The Grey Medallion program can be conducted by a combination of instructors including Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety, Aqua Aerobics instructors.

Instructors should be well versed with water safety, lifesaving, basic resuscitation, rescue skills and working with adults.

Resources & Participant Awards:

Resources available to assist in delivery of Grey Medallion include:

Instructor Workbook and PowerPoint presentation

Participant Workbook

Marketing materials

At the completion of the Grey Medallion, providers are required to reward their participants with:

A Certificate of Participation

A Medallette (pin)

Get involved – Find a Grey Medallion provider

Upcoming programs: None

Testimonials from past Grey Medallion participants:

"As a group we had lots of fun together. I experienced joy in the water, which I felt when I was many years younger. This makes me feel keen to start aquatic exercise (fun) again and continue doing it."

"It was great to increase my knowledge and learn new skills. I have much greater confidence in my ability to help others in difficulty. The socialisation was fantastic, sorry the course ended."

"The course was great, instructors were patient and understanding and well organised. Were aware of fears and other issues participants faced. I feel much more confident about being around water and learning new skills. We have certainly proved that 'you are never too old to learn something new'."

For further information contact the team on 03 9676 6921 or email diversityinclusion@lsv.com.au

An initiative of the Royal Life Saving Society Australia

Information for Delivering a Successful Open Water Grey Medallion Program

Open Water Grey Medallion Program

This practical program encompasses many aspects of lifesaving, including survival techniques, RIP current awareness, aquatic exercise and basic emergency care including resuscitation. These are transferable skills, that can be utilised on the beach, in a pool environment and in the broader community.

Background of Open Water Grey Medallion Program
People aged 45-64 recorded the highest age specific fatal drowning rate in 2017/18. This demographic has featured prominently in the last five Victorian Drowning Reports with a 71% increase in drowning rate of 65-year old’s witnessed in 2018/19.

Target Audience
Targeted at members of the public aged 55+ years, we invite grandparents, retirees and people eager to learn new skills and meet great people. All abilities welcome – beginner to experienced.

OWGM Program Offerings

OWGM Introductory Program

3 hour program covering;

Dry Water Awareness – Self Survival and Assisting Another

RIP Awareness and Danger

Upon completion participants receive an Introductory OWGM Program Certificate

OWGM Intermediate Program

3 x 3 hour Sessions (1 x Water Session);

Program Outcomes;

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

Understanding the various types of waves

Identify rips and currents

Recognise various beach types

Self-survival techniques

Demonstrated Surf Skills including:

self-survival techniques

surf swimming; including entries

basic rescue skills

Understand DRSABCD

Upon completion participants will receive an Intermediate OWGM Program Certificate

OWGM Advanced Program

5 x 3 hour sessions covering (3 x Water Sessions);

Program Outcomes;

By the end of this course participants should be able to:

Understanding the various types of waves

Identify rips and currents

Recognise various beach types

Manage Marine Envenomation injuries

Self-survival techniques

Identify and understand Hazard signs

Demonstrated Surf Skills including:

surf swimming; including entries

body surfing

basic rescue skills

water rescue techniques and self-safety

Perform patient retrieval and support while using equipment

Understand DRSABCD

Perform basic patient management techniques

Recognise temperature related illnesses

Upon completion participants will receive an Advanced OWGM Program Certificate and Medallion

Expression of Interest

For those who are interested in being part of the Open Water Grey Medallion Program, please complete the following Expression of Interest form:
Open Water Grey Medallion Expression of Interest Form

For further information contact the team on 03 9676 6921 or email diversityinclusion@lsv.com.au