The National Life Saving Competition was an aquatics meet introduced by LSSM as a vehicle to create water safety awareness to the local populace. It utilised 50 metre Olympic-size swimming pool as the standard arena for the meet. The competition venues varied across the country, besides Kuala Lumpur, it was closely followed by other major towns such as Penang, Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka and Johor Bahru.

A scaledown or mini competition made its debut in Kota Kinabalu many years ago, the first foray into East Malaysia.

It appeared that the participants were mainly from urban area in the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. The reason being swimming pools are conveniently located in towns while in rural area there is a lack of swimming pool facilities or none at all for aquatic recreational activities.

The events for this meet were by extension a manifestation of the test requirements for the award of Bronze Medallion. Hence, a competitor must be certified to be a Bronze Medallion holder.

While the competitors were tested to their limit In speed and endurance in their pursuit of medal and trophy, the spectators were treated to various rescue techniques. And above all, discovered and realised that a non swimmer could become a rescuer by default by just executing a rope throw rescue tecnique.

Lifeguards working at swimming pools and aquatic recreation centres made up a sizeable number of participant. Schools and institutions of higher learning, clubs and uniform services also sent their teams. I admired participants who competed in the master category because they were as fit as fiddle. They were not the underdog and followed the rules of the competition. The PULAPOL team had shown their prowess as senior seasoned players. The Sabah team earned their recognition by their sheer determination to participate.

Often, chin tow becoming extended chin tow and victim’s face submerged in water during the rescue were common disputes that led to disqualification and arbitration.

The National Life Saving Competition took a back seat when LSSM introduced ILS sports competition in pool as well as in open water. Manikins played the role of human victim. Many affiliates were not financially strong to acquire these expensive manikin and rescue tube for training purposes. The local manufacturers have yet to produce manikin and rescue tube of some semblance. Despite the above shortcomings, a series of ILS pool and open water competition were successfully held from time to time.

I remember Johor Bahru hosted this ILS event and invited Singapore to fill up the number and received an Australian competing as an individual. We were ‘cowed’ by the formidable foreign teams but the competition was not about winning per se. It is about sharing knowledge for the betterment of life saving.

However, as the campaign to create water safety awareness intensified, there was a proposal to bring back the traditional competition due to its glorious past. This old format competition as it was called was well received by the state affiliates because it was versatile and easy to organise at minimum cost. Broom sticks, ropes and sarung were deployed to spread the message that they are indeed an integral part of life saving.

So much for my memory on life saving competition in the country in the past. I will continue to write in order to stave off dementia matter-of-factly and hope my write-ups so far have gone down well among my fellow examiners.

Cheers. Adieu amigo.

LIMKOKWEY

DATED 4/12/2025