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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 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 of Athens). He graduated with the highest mark among 105 graduates and excelled in his specialization. He completed undergraduate studies ("Erasmus-Socrates"), a master's degree and a doctorate with theses in 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 more than 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 29 academic, technical books as author or editor. He is the "father" of lifesaving sport in Greece. He was a 5-time Panhellenic water polo champion (Olympiakos). He participated in lifesaving sport championships in 8 countries and was placed 49 times in the podium as an athlete, coach or administrator.
He has been awarded with 22 important awards by international organizations in 8 countries. Of these, his honors from the International Life Saving Federation stands 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". His film "Ode to Lifesaving Joy" was selected and screened in 2017 among 1,890 films (107 countries), in 2019 among 3,200 nominations (120 countries) and was awarded at the 18th International Festival of Red Cross and Health Films [more]. Stathis is a Committee Member for "Every Child A Swimmer" of the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Secretary General of the Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation. He is a former Business Committee Member of the International Life Saving Federation, Board Member of the International Federation of Swimming Teachers' Association and the International Swimming Hall of Fame. Three of his relatives have lost their lives at sea. He is known for his humor, developmental approach that engages and motivates and inspires his students and athletes to excell in their endeavours.
