NATIONAL POOL LIFEGUARD QUALIFICATION

The NPLQ is the most awarded Lifeguard Qualification in the UK and Ireland and is also internationally recognised around the world and is regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland.

There is potential to work and travel. Excellent career in the leisure industry, opportunity for career progression, varied working hours, team work, learn essential life skills, including First Aid and CPR.

The NPLQ Gen 10 course is officially registered with UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Services) and now carries eight UCAS Tarrif points valid from May 2024, helping students secure a place at university or further studies.

THE QUALIFICATION

RLSS UK Qualifications Level 3 Award in Pool Lifeguarding Qualification (Qualification number: 610/2603/7,

COO Number: C00/4788/7)

Note: the minimum number of credits required to achieve a 'pass' = 5 credits

This qualification comprises the following units:

 Unit 1 - Swimming Pool Safety Operation and Supervision (F/650/6714 - credit value = 2)

 Unit 2 - Pool Lifeguard Emergency Rescue Skills (L/650/6709 - credit value = 1)

  Unit 3 - First Aid, Illness and Injury Management in a Pool Environment (D/650/6713 - credit value = 2)

*The NPLQ now carries eight UCAS tariff points.

The courses run Monday - Friday, with Saturday’s where additional qualifications are involved, re-assessments and also some courses are spread over weekends.

Times:  08:00-17:15  *Subject to change and approximately.

LG PREREQUISITES

Every candidate attending a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course must be 16 years old or above at the time of taking the NPLQ final assessment and be able to meet the following criteria:

 Must be 16 years of age at the date of the final assessment

•  Jump/dive into deep water
•  Swim 50 metres in no more than 60 seconds
•  Swim 100 metres continuously on front
•  Swim 100 metres continuously on back
•  In deep water, tread water for 30 seconds
•  Surface dive to the floor of the pool
•  Climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design permits

Must complete minimum guided learning hours.

Complete all activities and revision questions in the course candidate manual 'The Lifeguard' and be assessed against all learning outcomes in the units taken.

THE NPLQ
The NPLQ covers all elements of Pool Rescue Techniques, Lifeguarding Theory, First Aid and CPR.

The course is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times, lifting casualties and diving to the deepest part of the swimming pool.

Training and assessment for the NPLQ is in three sections and all must be successfully passed to attain the qualification.

Learn essential life skills, including First Aid and CPR, varied working hours, suitable for all, team work.

An opportunity to progress your career within the leisure industry as most leisure managers start off as pool lifeguards.

Brilliant and interesting. Additional courses available including Open Water Lifeguard, First Aid courses, Automated External Defibrillation and Management of Anaphylaxis. These will require additional hours.

IDENTIFICATION

Identification can be verified using the following:

  A Passport

  A driving licence

  Other photographic ID card

ASSESSMENT AND VALIDATION

This qualification is valid for a period of 2 years. The candidates should re-take this qualification prior to the certificate expiry date to remain qualified.

The assessment methods used for this qualification are practical assessment and theory questions.

All candidate assessment results and feedback will be recorded on course records.

The course is assessed throughout with an independent assessment at the end.

It determines your knowledge and understanding of the principles of working as a pool 

lifeguard and assesses your ability to apply the skills and knowledge in a work-related environment.

The assessment is split into three sections: Pool work, First Aid & CPR and Theory for all 3 sections.

The assessment will include multiple-choice question papers, practical demonstrations of water rescue skills, CPR and First Aid.

Upon qualifying, the NPLQ certificate is valid for two years from the date of successful completion.

*Where candidates wish to claim a training exemption, they must provide the course trainer with original qualifications prior to the start of the course. A maximum of 12 hours accreditation for prior learning may be claimed.

RENEWAL NPLQ CANDIDATES

NPLQ renewal candidates may renew their qualification within the period of validity of their existing qualification as stated on their certificate.

20 hours monthly/CPD training hours within the last two years from the date of previous assessment are required as evidence before an assessment can be organised and a valid current certificate and photo ID.

This will include a full assessment of Lifeguard knowledge and skills by an independent assessor.

Candidates must have access to the most up to date copy of ‘The Lifeguard’ manual prior to assessment.

The Continued Professional Development covering content from the NPLQ syllabus:

• In-water swimming pool rescue skills (at least 4 hrs)
• CPR (at least 4 hrs)
• First Aid (at least 4 hrs)
• Lifeguard Theory (at least 4 hrs)

Continued Professional Development can be achieved by:

• Attendance at Lifeguard ongoing training and competency assessment* (strongly recommended)
• Attendance at alternative training, face-to-face or online, relating to in-water swimming pool rescue skills, CPR, First Aid and Lifeguard theory.

WHAT TO BRING

•Enrolment form signed in pen.   Photo ID also required on the last day of the course.

•Photo ID.  •Pen & Note Pad, •Whistle, •Sun Protection, •Outdoor coat.

•Swim wear (Swim Shorts & T-Shirt) to wear in the pool. *There may be days where we swim twice. Towel. Shower wash products.  (Example of swim wear see gallery).

•laptop or iPad if needed to use whilst learning.   •Practical Clothing.

Please be aware that the course involves a significant amount of practical work in the swimming pool and in the training areas on the floor; please wear suitable practical clothing which allows movement.   •Lunch and break refreshments.

*The venues are allergies aware.  No nuts on site with any food/drink refreshments and products.

BOOKING

If you would like to book a space:   Go to our book online page.

A.   Please complete the enrolment form attached or online; per person, scan, email and send this back to us.

B.   Please register on RLSS Tahdah as a new candidate, this will generate a society number.

If you already have an account, please login to obtain your society number.

Once you have your unique society number, please enter this onto the enrolment form, where marked.    Www.rlss.org.uk/your-account

C.   Course Payment to complete your booking.

PAYMENT

Payment can be made via our website on the “book online courses” page and select the Course Payment button or if you would like to pay directly into business bank account then this can also be arranged and through an invoice, please request.

PARKING

Parking is included for 1x vehicle at the location; onsite for course candidates; during the course hours only.

DETAILS

When we receive your completed enrolment form and payment has been made, we will process this and then send you your booking confirmation. (This is also your receipt and reference number).

Upon making payment our terms and conditions will apply.

Any injuries, Allergies, information or medical conditions please let us know at the start of the course and in advance on your enrolment form and include any reasonable adjustments if required.

Parents/guardians/responsible person, visitors, assistants, family/friends or animals are unable to remain on site throughout the duration of the course.

If this is required, please contact us within two weeks in advance of the course and we will see what may be arranged.

You will receive a course book during the training, and you can see images and videos of our courses with information on our website including a schedule and Q&A section.

Personal belongings are left at the owner’s risk this includes any vehicles and contents within.

Recordings including still photo images, sound, audio and video may be recorded for safety, training and marketing purposes.

No unauthorised recordings of any kind on any devices without prior authorisation and confirmation.

Please be professional and adhere to all rules and follow, including site specifics throughout the duration of the course this includes during breaks and lunch.

Please arrange collection/transport promptly after the course.

By completing and signing the enrolment form you agree to our terms and conditions; on our website, as above and on the enrolment form.

Thank you for visiting our website, we look forward in welcoming you to the course.

CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of the course and assessment, the results will be submitted to RLSS UK within 7 working days and when approved, successful candidates will receive a certificate processed by RLSS UK onto the candidate’s Tahdah online account within 14 days.

How to get your certificate

New candidates (with no prior history with RLSS UK) will need to create a RLSS UK Account. Anyone who already has a RLSS UK award, qualification, or RLSS UK Membership only needs to activate their RLSS UK Account using their Society Number. Your Society Number is on any previous certificate or correspondence from RLSS UK - it begins with a 3.

Please carefully input or check your email address to ensure you receive your account verification email. Verification is the crucial final step. You can then log in to your RLSS UK Account and access your certificates by clicking on ‘Awards & Training’, then ‘Training’ (from the list), then finally, the green circle with a white arrow to download your certificates. Any problems, please do not create another account; contact us at customerservices@rlss.org.uk.

*If you have any requirements and considerations please let us know prior to the course.

Our Open Water Lifeguard Qualification (OWL)

Courses are available for everyone with open water experience and also for qualified lifeguards.

Courses run from April through to October.

The Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification has been developed by the Royal Life Saving Society UK to address the role of open water lifeguards and the needs of open water operators. This growing industry continues and RLSS UK have endeavoured to respond to change through the ongoing development of this qualification. The OWL qualification can be used to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still, non-tidal water.

The Open Water Lifeguard qualification enables candidates with no previous lifeguard experience to become qualified.

By attaining this qualification candidates will have been assessed as competent to provide supervision and rescue cover for planned, organised and risk-assessed activities in open water still, non-tidal.

The Open Water Lifeguard Qualification, delivered over three days, is valid for two years and is independently assessed.

The candidate manual and trainer resources help the Open Water Lifeguard Trainer Assessor deliver through the three sections:

OWL COURSE CRITERIA

Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision

Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action

Section 3 - CPR and First Aid

New candidates: 18hrs + Assessment

Renewal candidates: 10hrs + Assessment

OWL PRE-REQUISITES:

Must be 16 years of age at the date of assessment

Be able to meet the following criteria: 

Confident in open water

Able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency

Able to submerge under the water confidently

Must complete minimum guided learning hours

Successfully complete the course assessment

RPL

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of recognising a candidate’s previous achievement towards part of a qualification. 

RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) candidates that hold this certification can attend a one-day RPL OWL qualification course and will be externally assessed. Once successfully obtained the OWL qualification can be used as a standalone qualification to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still, non-tidal water.

The RPL Open Water Lifeguard Qualification, delivered over one day, is valid for two years and is independently assessed. 

The candidate manual and trainer resources help the Open Water Lifeguard Trainer Assessor deliver through the two sections:

Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision

Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action

RPL New candidates: 7hrs + Assessment

Pre-requisites:

Must hold a current RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ).

Be able to meet the following criteria: 

Confident in open water

Able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency

Able to submerge under the water confidently

Must complete minimum guided learning hours

Successfully complete the course assessment

*Where candidates wish to claim a training exemption, they must provide the course trainer with original qualifications prior to the start of the course.

A maximum of 11 hours accreditation for prior learning may be claimed.

RENEWAL OWL CANDIDATES

10 hours monthly/CPD training hours are required as evidence before an assessment can be organised, a valid current certificate and photo ID.

*If you have any requirements and considerations please let us know prior to the course.