John in a lifetime of Social Service earned a number of awards including being a RLSS Commonwealth Vice President, an ILS Knight, recipient of the RLSS King Edward VII Cup, (the Society’s Highest Honour), the Ireland Medal, the Albert Schweitzer Medal for Humanitarian Service and the Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
In 1997 July-August John Long as Secretary General Royal Life Saving Society (Commonwealth) accompanied by President, Royal life Saving Society (Australia), late Heather McGowan came to Pune, India and conducted 4 live demonstrations in lifesaving, showing CPR and lifesaving protocols in water in swimming pools. That truly was the beginning of Rashtriya Life Saving Society (India) in the country..