The Medal "For the Salvation of the Drowning" (Russian: Медаль «За спасение утопающих») was a state decoration of the Soviet Union awarded to citizens of any nationality for courage and resourcefulness in rescuing people from drowning.

[1] Its statute was twice amended by further decrees of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, first on August 1, 1967[2] and lastly on July 18, 1980.

[3] The medal ceased to be awarded following the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union; an interim design with "Russia" replacing the "USSR" on the reverse was awarded a few times until it was replaced in 1994 by the Russian Federation's Medal "For Life Saving".

[1][3] The Medal "For the Salvation of the Drowning" was awarded on behalf of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR or Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union or of autonomous republics by chairmen, deputy chairmen or members of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviets of union or autonomous republics, the chairmen, deputy chairmen and members of the executive committees of regional, provincial, district and city councils of deputies in the community of the recipient.

[1][2][3] Each medal came with an attestation of award, this attestation came in the form of a small 8 cm by 11 cm cardboard booklet bearing the award's name, the recipient's particulars and an official stamp and signature on the inside.