NPLQ Lifeguarding
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
The RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is widely
recognised as the professional benchmark in the leisure industry
and will provide you with the opportunity for employment at most UK
swimming pools. The qualification also has widespread international
recognition. You must be at least 16 years of age prior to
commencing the training course.
The qualification consists of two units:
Unit 1 The Principles of Lifesaving and
Swimming pool Supervision.
Unit 2 The Application of Supervision and
Rescue in a Swimming Pool.
Assessment for Unit 1 takes place at the conclusion of a
training course for a minimum of 32 hours for new candidates. It
determines a candidate's knowledge and understanding of the
principles of working as a pool lifeguard and of his or her ability
in a range of lifesaving skills as they relate to rescue in a range
of common emergency situations that could occur in any pool.
Unit 2 is continuously assessed over a course of a minimum of a
further 7 hours training. It determines the candidate's ability to
apply the Unit 1 skills and knowledge in a work related environment
as they would apply in a swimming pool.
The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification is awarded upon
successful completion of both units and is valid for a period of 2
years. The candidate must attend the entire course and pass the
assessment to be awarded the National Pool Lifeguard
Qualification.
After we have signed off that you are a competent swimmer, you
may enrol onto the Lifeguard course. You will have to fill out an
enrolment from with details such as name, address and next of kin.
When completing the form, you will be asked to give details of a
‘body’. This person is to be used as your casualty. You will need a
‘body’ to practice on during all water work sessions. Times for
these sessions will be confirmed by the assessor.
Once the form is completed, please hand to reception with full
payment of £175. This price is inclusive of registration fee,
examination, assessment forms and lifeguard folder.
Prerequisites
You must be able to demonstrate that you are:
Fit and healthy
- Able to jump or dive into the pool in deep
water
- Able to swim continuously for 100m on your back
and 100m on your front
- Able to swim 50m in under 60 seconds
- Able to tread water in deep water for 30
seconds
- Able to surface dive to the deepest part of the
pool (3.8 metres)
The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
website
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