**Queen Elizabeth II: The Trailblazer in Lifesaving**

Queen Elizabeth II, known for her many firsts during her long reign, recently discovered that she broke the mold 80 years ago by earning a life-saving qualification.

At the age of 14, she accompanied her sister, Princess Margaret, to swimming lessons at the Bath Club, a gentleman's club in Mayfair's Dover Street.

It was in 1941 when she became the first young person in the Commonwealth to receive a Junior Respiration Award from the Royal Life-Saving Society.

In a video call released by the society, the Queen expressed her surprise at being a trailblazer, admitting, “I didn't realize I was the first one.”

She shared her memories with lifeguards from the Royal Life-Saving Society, which operates across 30 Commonwealth nations to prevent drowning incidents.

During the conversation, Clive Holland, Deputy Commonwealth President of the Society, pointed out to the Queen that it had been 80 years since she achieved the award.

Sarah Downs, a 20-year-old student and lifeguard, asked the Queen about her memories of earning the life-saving award.

The Queen reminisced, “It was a great achievement, and I was very proud to wear the badge on the front of my swimming suit.”

She also praised the bravery of other young lifesavers, including Tana Gurel from Cape Town, South Africa, and Dr. Stephen Biermann from Canada, for their significant contributions to drowning prevention.

Dr. Biermann recounted an incident where he saved a young girl from drowning at a tidal pool in Camps Bay in 2016.

The Queen commended his actions, saying, “That was splendid work that you're doing.”

She inquired about his usual work settings, to which Dr. Biermann replied that he primarily works on beaches and tidal pools, remaining actively involved in lifesaving activities.

The Queen expressed her appreciation for the dedication and commitment of individuals like Dr. Biermann in ensuring water safety.

As the patron of the Royal Lifesaving Society, founded in London in 1891 to address preventable drownings, the Queen highlighted the importance of drowning prevention efforts.

Drowning continues to be a leading cause of preventable death worldwide, with an estimated 235,000 fatalities annually, predominantly in poor or middle-income countries.

During the video call, the Queen virtually presented Dr. Stephen Beerman from Canada with the prestigious King Edward VII Cup in recognition of his exceptional contributions to drowning prevention over more than four decades.

In closing, Queen Elizabeth II expressed her delight in presenting the award to Dr. Beerman, emphasizing the significance of his work in raising awareness about drowning prevention.

The Queen's involvement with the Royal Lifesaving Society underscores her commitment to promoting water safety and honoring those who dedicate their lives to saving others.

For more information on the Royal Lifesaving Society and its initiatives, visit www.royallifesavingsociety.org.