What Lifesaving Resources Inc. does

Lifesaving Resources, LLC is a privately-held aquatic safety training and consulting firm founded in 1984 and headquartered in Kennebunkport, Maine. The company develops and delivers standardized training programs in water rescue, ice rescue, swiftwater rescue, surf rescue, and lifeguard operations, serving fire departments, rescue/EMS agencies, law enforcement, aquatic facility operators, and lifeguard organizations primarily across North America with claimed international reach. Its core product set comprises the International Water Rescue Instructor Academy and International Ice Rescue Instructor Academy (each a 4-day intensive program priced at $3,445 and $3,495 per participant respectively), tiered Awareness/Operations/Technician-level courses, and a parallel Aquatic Forensic Expert Witness service operated by co-founder Gerald M. Dworkin, who has consulted on over 350 drowning and aquatic injury litigation cases.

The business model is a professional services / training franchise hybrid: revenue is generated through per-seat tuition for instructor academies and technician courses (ranging from $250 to $3,495), one-time sales of proprietary course guidebooks and instructor merchandise ($8.50–$90), and fee-based expert witness consulting for plaintiff and defense legal firms. The company operates a train-the-trainer distribution model in which graduates of its Instructor Academies become authorized to certify personnel within their own agencies for a three-year period, creating a layered channel that extends the firm's curriculum footprint beyond direct delivery. Courses are aligned to NFPA 1670 and NFPA 1006 standards with five-year certification validity, and the firm has begun supplementing in-person delivery with live online Zoom-based training.

Operationally, the firm is a micro-enterprise with 1–10 employees run by co-founders Gerald M. Dworkin (Technical Consultant, curriculum author, and forensic expert) and Donna J. Dworkin (President, operations and program coordination). No external funding, parent company, or acquisition activity is indicated. Marketing relies primarily on content assets, organic social channels, and earned media appearances by Gerald Dworkin on major U.S. networks; distribution is direct via the lifesaving.com website supplemented by a host/sponsor model where agencies can arrange customized academies.

Name

Lifesaving Resources Inc.

Legal name

Lifesaving Resources, LLC

Website

https://lifesaving.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Lifesaving Resources is a privately-held aquatic safety training and consulting firm that delivers NFPA-aligned water rescue, ice rescue, swiftwater, and lifeguard certification programs, plus drowning litigation expert witness services, to fire, EMS, law enforcement, and aquatic facility clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aquatic Safety Training Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Lifeguard, Water Rescue & Aquatic Safety Training (EDAOAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Safety, Lifeguarding & Training Services (Staffing, Certification) (THAAABAL), Fire Safety, Life Safety & Code Compliance (EDALAEAI)

Keywords

• Water rescue training
• Ice rescue training
• Aquatic safety training
• Swiftwater rescue instruction
• Aquatic forensic consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Kennebunkport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Instructor Academy Programs: Revenue from 4-day International Water Rescue and Ice Rescue Instructor Academies. Water Rescue Instructor Academy: $3,445 per participant. Ice Rescue Instructor Academy: $3,495 per participant. Includes lodging, meals, and access to instructor portal.
2. Technician Level Courses: One-day Water Rescue Technician Course ($250) and two-day Surf/Swiftwater Rescue Technician Course ($475). Includes classroom sessions, practical evolutions, certificates, and CEU credits.
3. Training Materials and Merchandise: Sale of course guidebooks (Ice Rescue Course Guidebook $22, Water Rescue Course Guidebook $30), instructor vests ($90), rubber insignias ($8.50 each), and logo wear. Available only to certified rescue personnel.
4. Expert Witness and Consulting Services: Gerry Dworkin has consulted on over 350 drowning and aquatic injury litigation cases as both plaintiff and defense expert. Services include accident reconstruction, depositions, written reports, and courtroom testimony.
5. Live Online Training Courses: New series of live online training courses for first responders, aquatic facility managers, lifeguard supervisors, instructors, and lifeguards including custom date Zoom conferences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Lifesaving Resources delivers NFPA 1670- and NFPA 1006-compliant water, ice, swiftwater, surf, and lifeguard training programs, anchored by two flagship 4-day International Instructor Academies that certify public safety personnel to train their own teams. The company also provides Aquatic Forensic Expert Witness Services for drowning and aquatic injury litigation, including accident reconstruction, depositions, written reports, and courtroom testimony. Course-specific guidebooks, instructor vests, and insignia are sold to certified personnel via an Instructor Portal.

Product overview

Lifesaving Resources is a training and consulting firm specializing in Aquatics Safety, Water Rescue, Ice Rescue, and Emergency Management services. The company offers a portfolio of instructor certification academies (International Water Rescue and Ice Rescue Instructor Academies), technician-level courses (Water Rescue, Swiftwater Rescue, Surf Rescue), and lifeguard training programs. The core offerings include the Water Rescue Technician Course ($250, 1-day) and Surf/Swiftwater Rescue Technician Course ($475, 2-day) for public safety professionals, alongside consulting services for drowning and aquatic injury litigation. Course materials include official guidebooks and insignias available through the instructor portal. The company provides training throughout the U.S. and internationally, meeting/exceeding NFPA 1670 and NFPA 1006 Standards for Technical Rescue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• International Water Rescue Instructor Academy A 4-day intensive program (tuition $3,445) that trains and certifies Public Safety and Rescue personnel as Water, Surf, and Swiftwater Rescue Instructors. Graduates are authorized to conduct Water Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician level courses on behalf of their agency for 3 years. Program includes lodging, meals, and Instructor Portal access. Meets/exceeds NFPA 1670 and NFPA 1006 Standards.
• International Ice Rescue Instructor Academy A 4-day intensive program (tuition $3,495) with over 45 contact hours including classroom and practical sessions with night operations, designed to train and certify Public Safety and Rescue personnel as Ice Rescue Instructors. Graduates are authorized to conduct Ice Rescue Awareness, Operations, and Technician level courses for 3 years. Includes lodging, meals, and Instructor Portal access. Meets NFPA 1670 and NFPA 1006 Standards.
• Water Rescue Technician Course A 1-day (9-hour) training program (tuition $250) focused on prevention, recognition, and emergency management of drowning and aquatic injuries, surface water rescue, and survival principles. Designed for First Responders. Includes lunch, course completion certificate valid for 5 years, and typically 9 CEUs. Meets/exceeds NFPA 1670 and NFPA 1006 Standards.
• Surf/Swiftwater Rescue Technician Course A 2-day training program (tuition $475) providing skills for responding to rescue and recovery incidents in static and dynamic water environments. Includes paddling skills, boat handling, and rope management. Includes lunch both days, certificate valid for 5 years, and typically 17 CEUs. Requires a prerequisite swim test.
• Swiftwater Rescue Technician Course A 2-day, 18-hour swiftwater rescue course (tuition $395) for Public Safety and Rescue personnel providing knowledge and skills for incidents in and around moving water. Includes prerequisite swim test and requires wetsuit or drysuit.
• Water Rescue Awareness Course A 4.5-hour classroom-only program providing foundational knowledge for public safety professionals on drowning prevention, water rescue principles, and emergency response procedures. Meets/exceeds NFPA 1670 Standard.
• Water Rescue Awareness Bridge to Water Rescue Technician A 4.5-hour practical session bridge course for graduates of the Water Rescue Awareness course to complete their Technician certification, to be taken within 6 months of completing the Awareness level.
• Rapid Intervention for Surf Rescue Training Program A free 3-hour training program providing First Responders with basic rapid intervention surf rescue skills. Covers rip current rescue, shore-based line management, aquatic spinal injury management, and jetty entry/rescues.
• Lifeguard & Aquatic Safety Training Comprehensive training programs for lifeguard and aquatic safety professionals, including Lifeguard Operations and Management (3-hour), Professional Aquatics Safety Seminar (8-hour), Lifeguard Pre/In-Service Training, and The Scared Straight of Aquatics (3-hour educational session). Designed for lifeguard instructors, supervisors, aquatic facility managers, and operators.
• Live Online Training Courses Live online training courses delivered via Zoom for first responders, aquatic facility managers, lifeguard supervisors, instructors, and lifeguards, including Lifeguard In-Service Training and Ice/Water Rescue Awareness courses. Custom dates can be selected by organizations.
• Aquatic Forensic Expert Witness Services Expert witness consultancy services for drowning and aquatic injury litigation cases, including accident reconstruction, depositions, written reports, and courtroom testimony. Evaluates Standard of Care for incident prevention, victim recognition, and emergency management. Provided for both plaintiff and defense cases. Gerald Dworkin has consulted on over 350 cases.
• Ice Rescue Course Guidebook (2024 Edition) Official course guidebook for Ice Rescue training, priced at $22. Available only to rescue personnel certified by Lifesaving Resources through the Instructor Portal.
• 2025 Water Rescue Course Guidebook Official course guidebook for Water Rescue training, priced at $30. Available only to rescue personnel certified by Lifesaving Resources through the Instructor Portal.
• Ice Rescue Instructor Vest and Official Insignia Official instructor vest ($90) and rubber insignia ($8.50) for authorized Ice Rescue Instructors. Available only to certified rescue personnel through the Instructor Portal.
• Water Rescue Instructor and Technician Insignia Official rubber insignia for Water Rescue Instructors and Water Rescue Technicians, priced at $8.50 each. Available only to certified rescue personnel through the Instructor Portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Training programs meet/exceed NFPA 1670 & NFPA 1006 Standards for Technical Rescue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Mustang SurvivalcoreTechnology or IntegrationMustang Survival has been building inspired technical solutions for water rescue professionals, military elites, and commercial/industrial mariners for over 50 years. They provide rescue equipment used in Lifesaving Resources training programs.
• 2TINGA Rescue BoatscoreTechnology or IntegrationTunnel hull rescue boats that are strong, easy to deploy and able to stand up to the worst conditions possible. Used in training rescue personnel from across the globe.
• CHARGEKcoreTechnology or IntegrationCanadian expert manufacturer of professional Inflatable boats made of aluminum and military-grade Hypalon.
• Brigham IndustriescoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partners representing Mustang and Survitec for Ice Rescue suits, Nautic and Art for Polar 75 inflatable rescue craft, Sterling rope for rescue lines, and complete line of water rescue products.
• Sterling RopecoreTechnology or IntegrationMaking highest quality static and dynamic rope and cord for decades. First to offer 100% Technora heat and abrasion resistant ropes to the fire industry.
• SurviteccoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of the Imperial Ice Rescuer Suit made of easy to repair, breathable shell fabric for extremely cold environments.
• Ice Rescue SledcoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of the Rescue Alive sled used in ice rescue operations and training.
• Lifesaving Systems Corp.coreTechnology or IntegrationServing world's Search and Rescue (SAR) responders within Aviation and Marine sectors for over 40 years. Specializes in rescue, safety, and survival equipment.
• Rescue TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationSource for technical extrication gear including technical pulleys, NFPA lifelines and ropes, NFPA Harnesses, technical ascenders, descenders, training manikins, and high angle rescue equipment.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Aquatic Safety Company (NASCO): NASCO manufactures water rescue training equipment, including Rescue Randy manikins and CPR trainers, and serves as a supplier/adjacent partner to Lifesaving Resources' training programs. Comparable as an enabling supplier in the aquatic rescue training ecosystem rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• StarGuard Aquatics (Starfish Aquatics Institute): StarGuard provides lifeguard certification, aquatic safety training, and risk management services for pools and waterparks. It is a direct competitor in the lifeguard and aquatic safety training market targeting the same enterprise and government customers.
• Jeff Ellis & Associates (E&A): Jeff Ellis & Associates is a leading lifeguard and aquatic safety management firm that provides lifeguard training, audits, and Standard of Care consulting for pools and waterparks. It competes directly with Lifesaving Resources' lifeguard operations, management, and aquatic facility training programs.
• Rescue 3 International: Rescue 3 International provides swiftwater, technical rope, and ice rescue training programs for public safety professionals. It is a direct peer in the technical water and ice rescue training category, with similar NFPA-aligned curriculum and train-the-trainer instructor certification model.
• S2S (Swiftwater Safety & Rescue): S2S provides swiftwater and flood rescue technician training for public safety and rescue professionals. It is a direct peer in the swiftwater rescue training category, competing for the same fire/rescue agency customers.
• Aquatic Safety Research Group: Aquatic Safety Research Group provides lifeguard and aquatics safety training, research, and consulting for pools and waterparks. It is a direct peer in aquatics safety training and Standard of Care consulting for aquatic facilities.

Broad incumbents

• American Red Cross: American Red Cross is the largest U.S. provider of lifeguard, CPR, and aquatics safety training, where founder Gerald Dworkin previously served as Health and Safety Services Director. It is the dominant incumbent in the same training category Lifesaving Resources competes in, but at significantly broader scale.
• YMCA of the USA (Aquatics): YMCA offers aquatics safety and lifeguard training programs across its national network of branches and as a fee-based certification program. As a broad incumbent, it overlaps with Lifesaving Resources' lifeguard training audience but with much larger geographic reach and a different delivery model.

Emerging players

• International Rescue Instructors Association: IRIA focuses on training and certifying water, ice, and technical rescue instructors for fire and EMS agencies. It is an emerging peer with significant curriculum overlap with Lifesaving Resources' International Instructor Academies, particularly in the train-the-trainer model.

Regional players

• Lifesaving Society (Canada): The Lifesaving Society is the national water safety and lifeguard training body in Canada, offering Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and National Lifeguard certification. It is a direct peer in aquatics safety and lifeguard training but operates primarily in Canada rather than the U.S.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/geralddworkin
• Facebookfacebook.com/lifesavingresources/?fref=ts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lifesaving-resources-inc.

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lifesaving Resources Inc.