National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

We have made important changes to this course to ensure that complies with all current guidance and regulations in relation to COVID-19. We will continue to monitor and we may need to make further amendments at short notice depending on Government and Awarding Body advice.

The wearing of face coverings will be compulsory while moving around the facility and potentially during the all training delivery. Appropriate PPE will need to be used during any practical activities where social distancing is not possible – this will be kept to a minimum.

Attending a training course or assessment during COVID-19

It is important for candidates enrolling on training courses and assessments to understand that no PPE or other protective measures can provide 100% protection from infection with, or transmission of, COVID-19. Whilst the awarding organisation (RLSS UK and IQL UK) have provided guidance to training provider to mitigate risk so far as reasonably practicable, there will still be an element of risk involved in attending the training course and assessment.

The training course contains practical skills where PPE (including face masks) is required, it is your responsibility to follow the Trainer and Assessor instructions and wear the required PPE. There are some skills where PPE is not suitable and other measures have been put in place.

NATIONAL POOL LIFEGUARD QUALIFICATION (NPLQ), FIRST AID AT WORK (FAW) & AUTOMATIC EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED) COURSE DETAILS

The course syllabus is split into three sections:

Section 1
The Lifeguard, Swimming Pool and Supervision

Section 2
Intervention, Rescue and Emergency Action Plan

Section 3
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, First Aid and AED

The course will include continual assessment of understanding of the syllabus and practical skills. Candidates must demonstrate competence in all aspects of the syllabus to be put forward to the end of course assessment, taken by an independent assessor. Any candidates who fail to pass all elements of the assessment will have 28 days to retake failed elements. Further fees will be chargeable for any additional support, training and assessments.

This course is a minimum of 39.5 hours plus assessment and attendance at all sessions is compulsory.
Following the assessment, the qualification will remain valid for 2 years. You can then retake the assessment providing that you have attended regular staff training in the workplace during the 2 year period.

NPLQ COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Prior to enrolling on a course, the RLSS requires that you meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrate that you are fit and healthy
• Jump or dive into deep water
• Swim 50m in under 60 seconds
• Swim 100m continuously on your front, followed by 100m on your back
• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
• Climb out of the pool unaided
• You must be 16 years or over on the day of the assessment (Usually the last day of the course).

Equipment required

In addition to equipment required for the training course/assessment, you will also be requested to make the following arrangements to help manage the risks associated with COVID-19:

• Bring pens and note paper you can use throughout the training and assessment – we can no longer supply these to the candidate

• Wear swimwear under your clothes for sessions in the water – changing rooms will not be available until after swimming sessions have been completed

• Bring food and drink to be consumed – vending is available but we are not able to supply refreshments at the present time.