Water safety education with Israel Life Saving Federation: FAQs

What do people learn with us?

• Ages 5–6: Become familiar with the beach environment and jump into the water together with their parents. Younger children join the elementary age group when appropriate for activities such as boards.

• Ages 7–12: Build swimming and water skills in the surf zone, and learn to identify risks and hazards in the sea while participating in multidisciplinary water sports, including rescue board paddling. Introduction to first aid and emergency response.

• Ages 13–17: Learn to identify risks and currents near shore, choose appropriate conditions and locations for water sports/bathing, emergency first response and introduction to rescues in the surf zone while swimming and with a rescue board.

• Adults: Identifying risks and currents, choosing appropriate time and location for water sports and other ocean activities, adapting swimming skills to the ocean and surf zone, rescues while swimming and with a rescue board, and first aid in the aquatic environment.

Most of our courses consist of 8–12 hours of instruction. We also offer 1–2 hour workshops on basic beach safety for private groups.

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What do we offer for those looking for a family summer activity?

Our flagship activity takes place on Fridays in July. We offer several age- and level- based groups for children ages 5 to 17 at the same time and on the same beach, and we invite parents to take part with us in the water. This mixed water-sports based activity is modeled on the Australian Nippers program for water safety eduction.

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What do we offer teenagers who want to spend time at the beach without parental supervision?

Our activities for youth aged 12–17 are designed to train them to make smart decisions at the beach. We believe that knowledge is critical to preventing unnecessary risks. Course participants learn where to enter the sea and why, where and when not to go in the ocean, what the common risks are, how to use the waves instead of fighting them, basic first aid for friends, and more.

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My child already surfs; is it worth taking your training?

Absolutely. Our courses and activities are particularly well-suited for those who are already involved in water sports.

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Where are we located?

We have branches in Herzliya and Nachsholim-Dor, where we offer our July Friday Nippers program as well as other activities open for public registration. Private activities can be arranged at other beaches.

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What does an actual session look like?

We start with a warm-up/game on the beach and a discussion of wave conditions. Then, we move on to swimming in the wave zone, paddling on rescue boards, rescue techniques, and/or a first aid lesson, depending on the sea conditions and the group's level. The style of surfing we teach is different from what is typically taught at Israel's surf schools, and is a unique experience for both beginners and experienced surfers.

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Who are our instructors?

Our organization is run almost entirely on a volunteer basis. Most of our instructors work voluntarily and have been teaching with us for several years.

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How do you ensure safety?

Our instructors have an international certification in surf rescue recognized by our parent organization, the International Life Saving Federation. In every ocean activity, we maintain a strict ratio of 5 participants per staff member. We also work in cooperation with municipal lifeguards.

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Who are our programs for?

• Our short workshops are suitable for anyone who wants to understand how to spend time safely at the beach.

• Our courses are designed for competent swimmers, water sports enthusiasts, and those interested in finding meaningful volunteer work with us at the beach.

• We also train surf instructors in water safety in keeping with International Surfing Association (ISA) standards. Our training is valid toward international surf instructor certification.

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Can I work as a lifeguard in Israel with your training?

No, we do not train pool lifeguards or municipal beach lifeguards to work in Israel.

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I see someone drowning, what should I do?

• If you suspect someone is in distress in the sea, immediately alert a lifeguard if you are at a swimming beach during lifeguard hours. If the lifeguards are not on duty, or the beach is unpatrolled, call the Israel Police (100).

• You can help the first responders by maintaining eye contact with the victim until help arrives.

• If the person has already been brought to shore and is in distress, call Magen David Adom (101).

• If you are close enough to the person in distress in the water, throw or hand them something that floats. Do not enter the sea in an attempt to rescue them, and do not come close enough to a drowning person that they could grab you and accidentially pull you under.

• Please note: We do not operate an emergency hotline.