Dr. Stathis Avramidis

 

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Dr. Stathis Avramidis

Dr. Stathis Avramidis, has consistently and with global distinctions served water safety and rescue since 1993 as a lifeguard, first aider, athlete, coach, trainer (of trainers), academic, author, personal trainer, researcher, director and event organizer.

STUDIES

In an episodic way, he was admitted to the university as a national champion of Greece, with the intervention of the Olympic gold medalist Voula Patoulidou [video]. There he obtained a Bachelor in Physical Education with a Specialization Diploma in Adapted Physical Education (School of Sports Science and Physical Education, University of Athens). He graduated with the highest mark among 105 graduates and excelled in his specialization. He completed "Erasmus-Socrates" undergraduate studies, MSc and a PhD with theses on lifesaving (Leeds Metropolitan University, UK), and a master's degree in Public Health with a thesis in lifesaving legislation where he excelled (National School of Public Health). He has 47 Instructor(s) certifications and 150 in applied lifeguarding and lifesaving sport, rescue, first aid, swimming and has experience/education from 13 countries.

WORK

He deals with injury prevention and lifesaving. He works at the National Public Health Organization. He was the Lifesaving Sport Director of the Hellenic Federation of Underwater Activity. He teaches "Applied Lifesaving" and "Lifesaving Sport" (University of Athens). He is the President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association. In the past, he worked as an Accident - Health Education Advisor at the General Secretariat of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, Visiting Research Fellow and Lecturer in Aquatics (rescue, survival, lifeguarding, swimming, physical education) at Leeds Metropolitan University (2003-2012), lifeguard, head lifeguard, first aider, lifeguard instructor, and lifeguard/coach for the British club South Leeds Lifesavers. He has carried out dozens of rescue operations, is a member of 14 organizations in 7 countries and a frequent speaker at Pan-Hellenic/global conferences. His lectures and teaching have been attended by thousands of people of all ages in over 10 countries. He is an Honorary Member of International Drowning Researcher Alliance. 

PUBLICATIONS - SPORTS - AWARDS 

Dr. Stathis Avramidis is considered one of the world's most prolific and award-winning water safety and rescue advocates. He has approximately 300 publications (books, articles, researches, scientific announcements) including 34 academic, technical books as author or editor. He is the "father" of lifesaving sport in Greece. Since 2014, he acts as the Editor/ Publisher of "The Sport Lifesaver", a magazine that is distributed freely to 122 countries. He was a 5-time Panhellenic water polo champion (Olympiakos). He participated in lifesaving sport championships in 8 countries and was placed 64 times in the podium as an athlete, coach or administrator at international, European, Mediterranean and World level. 

He has been awarded with 22 important awards by international organizations in 8 countries. Of these, his honors from the International Life Saving Federation stand out (2022, 2023), the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth (under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth II), with 4 "Diploma Awards" [video 2010, 2017, 2021] for "high-level knowledge of rescue values" and the "Prolific Contributor" and "Best New Director" Awards from the International Aquatic History Symposium and Film Festival [video] whose Chief Judge was the creator, director and producer of Baywatch, the world's most watched show in TV history, Greg Bonann. He has also been honored twice by the International Swimming Hall of Fame with the "Paragon Aquatic Safety Award 2009" [video] and the "ISHOF Service Award 2012" [video] for "the aims of the Hall of Fame, its worldwide contribution to accident prevention and lifesaving". In 2015, the World Open Water Swimming Association ranked him among the "50 Greatest Watermen in Open Water Swimminh History". As film director he has earned 8 awards in International Film Festivals.

Three of his relatives have lost their lives at sea. He is known for his humor, developmental approach that engages, motivates and inspires his students and athletes to excell in their endeavours.