A life-saving drug, operation, or action is one that saves someone's life or is likely to save their life. life-saving drugs such as antibiotics She decided her child should go to America for life-saving treatment
You use life-saving to refer to the skills and activities connected with rescuing people, especially people who are drowning. life-saving medical treatments or equipment are used to help save people's lives lifesaving surgery/treatment/drugs etc. life·sav·ing the skills necessary to save a person from drowning