RLSS UK Technical Conference 2026 - Programme

• Schedule

  • 09:30 - 09:45: Welcome by RLSS UK CEO
  • 09:45 - 10:05: Keynote Speaker  
  • 10:05 - 10:45: Resuscitation Council UK CPR and First Aid Guidelines 2025  
  • 10:45 - 11:15: Adult Basic Life Support and First Aid Guidelines
  • 11:15 - 11:40: Coffee Break
  • 11:40 - 12:00: How will the 2025 guideline changes impact RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards?  
  • 12:00 - 12:20: Ask the Experts 
  • 12:20 - 13:00: Stopping the Bleed: Why Rapid Control Saves Lives 
  • 13:00 - 13:45: Lunch Break
  • 13:45 - 14:25: Breakout: Hall 4 - Reducing Risk - Legal and Practical Approaches to Water Safety  
  • 13:45 - 14:25: Breakout: Hall 5 - Strengthening the Chain of Survival: A Community Approach 
  • 14:30 - 15:10: Breakout: Hall 4 - Keeping Pools Afloat - Smart Strategies for Financial Survival 
  • 14:30 - 15:10: Breakout: Hall 5 - Heart Matters: Anatomy, Rhythms & Life-Saving Pad Placement 
  • 15:10 - 15:35  Coffee Break 
  • 15:35 - 16:15: Shallow Water Blackout: The Hidden Risk in Swimming Pools  
  • 16:15 - 16:45: Sharper Minds, Safer Waters - How Lifeguard Training Transforms the Brain  
  • 16:45 - 16:55: Thank You and Close by RLSS UK President 

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09:30 - 09:45: Welcome

SIMMY AKHTAR - CEO, RLSS UK

Kick off the Technical Conference with an inspiring welcome from the RLSS UK CEO. This opening session sets the tone for a dynamic, insightful, and interactive day.

09:45 - 10:05: Keynote Speaker 

MICHAEL GUNNING - Professional Athlete

10:05 - 10:45: Resuscitation Council UK CPR and First Aid Guidelines 2025 

ISABELLE HAMILTON - BOWER - Clinical Lead, RCUK 
NAOMI REEVES - Clinical Lead, RCUK

Hear directly from the Resuscitation Council UK on the 2025 guideline changes, including the journey to publication and how they are developed.

10:45 - 11:15: Adult Basic Life Support and First Aid Guidelines

JESSICA ROGERS - Emergency Medicine Doctor and Author for ERC Guidelines 2025 First Aid and Basic Life Support 

A focus on the Adult Basic Life Support guideline changes and the new Resuscitation Council UK First Aid Guidelines.

11:15 - 11:40: Coffee Break 

11:40 - 12:00: How will the 2025 guideline changes impact RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards? 

JO TALBOT - Commercial Director, RLSS UK 
 

Understand how RLSS UK has integrated the latest CPR and First Aid guideline changes and learn how new resources will support training and assessing RLSS UK qualifications and awards with confidence.

12:00 - 12:20: Ask the Experts

12:20 - 13:00: Stopping the Bleed: Why Rapid Control Saves Lives

MARTIN HORTON - Consultant Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Emergency Medicine and RLSS UK Clinical Group Medical Advisor 

This session explores why every second counts when managing life threatening bleeds and demonstrates practical, evidence-based techniques for rapid bleed control. Learn how swift, effective action can dramatically improve survival outcomes and why this skill is essential for all. 

13.00 - 13.45: Lunch Break 

13.45 - 14.25: 

Breakout Hall 4: Reducing Risk - Legal and Practical Approaches to Water Safety

IAN OGILVIE -  Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner, Expert Witness and RLSS UK Pool Plant Advisor
DAN JACKLIN - Barrister, Expert Witness and RLSS UK Swimming Pool Health & Safety Advisor 

Join a Barrister with a water safety background and a leading pool safety consultant and expert witness as they share real-life water-related incidents and the lessons they reveal. Gain practical ideas for implementing safety measures to prevent accidents and understand the legal implications every operator should know. This session combines legal expertise with actionable strategies to protect lives and reduce risk.

Breakout Hall 5: Strengthening the Chain of Survival: A Community Approach  

SIMON DUNN - Head of The Circuit Operations, British Heart Foundation

British Heart Foundation provide an insight into the importance of the chain of survival, how it can be strengthened and what part communities can play to save more lives.

14.30 - 15.10:

Breakout Hall 4: Keeping Pools Afloat: Smart Strategies for Financial Survival 

Breakout Hall 5: Heart Matters: Anatomy, Rhythms & Life-Saving Pad Placement

ISABELLE HAMILTON - BOWER - Clinical Lead, RCUK 

Get to the heart of the matter! Learn the basics of heart anatomy, understand shockable vs. non-shockable rhythms, and discover why correct defibrillator pad placement can mean the difference between life and death. 

15.10 - 15.35: Coffee Break

15:35 - 16:15: Shallow Water Blackout: The Hidden Risk in Swimming Pools 

          

PROFESSOR ANDREW H BAKER - British Heart Foundation Professor at the University of Edinburgh and Professor of Vascular Biology

SERENA BAKER - Resident Doctor and CPR Campaigner 

Hear Professor Baker’s compelling account of his son’s near-fatal experience when swimming while on holiday. Learn why prevention is critical, the devastating impact this condition can have, and what steps you can take to keep swimmers safe.

16:15 - 16:45: Sharper Minds, Safer Waters - How Lifeguard Training Transforms the Brain

DR JENNY SMITH - Reader in Performance Psychology at the University of Chichester and Chartered Practitioner Psychologist

Learn how drowning detection training strengthens critical attention networks, improving lifesaving performance when every second counts. This session will also provide a bonus insight into exciting research projects in 2026.

16:45 - 16.55: Thank You and Close

BRYAN FINLAY - President, RLSS UK

Join the RLSS UK President for an inspiring wrap-up to the Technical Conference. Reflect on key insights and look forward to shaping the future of lifesaving and water safety.

CIMSPA CPD Points: 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is critical for professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends, knowledge, and skills. Engaging in CPD helps you maintain professional competence and adaptability, leading to better job performance and career advancement. For RLSS UK Conference attendees, the good news is that CIMSPA has awarded 3.5 CPD points per day for attending this event. You can secure these points by visiting the CIMSPA exhibitor stand, registering your details and letting them do the rest! You can find more information here.

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