After losing his crew in a fatal crash, legendary Rescue Swimmer, Ben Randall (KEVIN COSTNER), is sent to teach at 'A' School, an elite training program for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers.

Wrestling with the loss of his crew members, he throws himself into teaching, turning the program upside down with his unorthodox training methods. While there, he encounters a young, cocky swim champ, Jake Fischer (ASHTON KUTCHER), who is driven to be the best. During training, Randall helps mold Jake's character, combining his raw talent with the heart and dedication required of a Rescue Swimmer. Upon graduation, Jake follows Randall to Kodiak, Alaska, where they face the inherent dangers of the Bering Sea. In his initial solo rescue, Jake learns firsthand from Randall, the true meaning of heroism and sacrifice, echoing the Swimmer's motto...'So Others May Live!'

The RNLI's 4,500 volunteer crew members are real-life heroes. They're at the ready, whether it's a sunny day or a hurricane-ravaged night, to launch a lifeboat to the rescue. There are 330 RNLI lifeboats ready to launch 24/7 around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. On average, the lifeboat crews rescue 22 people a day and, to do that, they need skills as well as courage. The Guardian movie emphasises the importance of training. So too does the RNLI. Through the 'Train One, Save Many' campaign, the charity aims to raise funds for crew training, so that more ordinary people can become extraordinary lifesavers.