lifesaver

[ lahyf-sey-ver ]

/ ˈlaɪfˌseɪ vər /

a person who rescues another from danger of death, especially from drowning.

a person or thing that saves a person, as from a difficult situation or critical moment: That money was a lifesaver.

Chiefly British. a lifeguard.

Origin of lifesaver

First recorded in 1880–85; life + saver

life·sav·ing, adjective, noun

"You certainly are the one and only life-saver," she breathed joyfully.

Dorothy Dixon Wins Her Wings |Dorothy Wayne
Another man suggested to a woman friend, who had a fox terrier in her arms, that she should put a life-saver on the dog.

Sinking of the Titanic |Various
From generations long dead it had come down to her, and always as a life-saver.

The Sun Maid |Evelyn Raymond
Men in distress don't ask for the pedigree of the life-saver, nor do they stop to inquire when he graduated.

Increasing Personal Efficiency |Russell H. Conwell

But if he betrayed his surprise, the life-saver did not notice it.

The Girl and The Bill |Bannister Merwin

life-saver

the saver of a person's life

another name for lifeguard

informal a person or thing that gives help in time of need