In 1987, the USLA Board of Directors approved a policy whereby awards may be granted to persons who participate in heroic acts. The USLA recognition is restricted to acts which show conclusive evidence that the person performing the act voluntarily risked their own life to an extraordinary degree in saving, or attempting to save, the life of another person, or voluntarily sacrificed themselves in a heroic manner for the benefit of others.

      To be considered for recognition, heroic acts must be reported to USLA within one year of the date they occurred. Usually, only those acts performed in areas within the scope of USLA's activities will be considered for such an award. Awards are restricted to cases in which no primary family relationship exists. For a downloadable copy of the Heroic Acts Application Form, please click on this sentence.

      Heroic act awards include the Medal of Valor which is given to an individual lifeguard who voluntarily risked their life, to an extraordinary degree, in saving, or attempting to save another person, or who sacrificed themselves for the benefit of others. For a list of Medal of Valor recipients, please click on this sentence.

      Non-lifeguards are also eligible for heroic act awards. The Heroic Act Award is presented by USLA to a non-lifeguard and is intended to give due recognition to those who have risked their lives to an extraordinary degree in a rescue or attempted rescue of another person (without familial relation to the rescuer). For a list of Heroic Act Award recipients, please click on this sentence.