The merging of the common objectives of the Fédération Internationale de Sauvetage aquatique (FIS) and the World Life Saving (WLS) was realized by forming a new larger international life saving organisation. The new world body was founded on 24th February 1993 in Leuven/Belgium by the official signing of the merging agreement between FIS and WLS. On the same date FIS and WLS agreed a draft ILS Constitution and draft Bye-Laws. The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) was constituted on 3rd September 1994 in Cardiff (Wales/United Kingdom).
In order to promote closer relationships and activities within a continent or other area of the world, Regional Branches of ILS were founded. Their role is to co-ordinate various Member Federations on all regional activities, help any country requesting assistance and conduct expansion campaigns among nearby countries which are not members of ILS.
Four different Regional Branches were formed: Africa, Americas, Asia/Pacific and Europe. All ILS Member Federations within a geographical and political region are automatically Members of the corresponding Regional Branch. All European Member Federations belong to the INTERNATIONAL LIFE SAVING FEDERATION – Europe (ILSE).
The ILSE Board of Directors decided in 2018 to build an Historical Archive. Please follow this link to have a first view. For further information and detailed documents please get in contact with the ILSE Secretariat.