Courses leading to RLSS UK qualifications

This page contains information on all of the RLSS Lifeguarding and Lifesaving qualifications that Survive and Save Training offer.

For course dates and bookings go to the course diary

Survive and Save Training currently deliver courses and programmes of learning leading:

	•	National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)
	•	National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)
	•	Pool Lifeguard Trainer Assessor

Survive and Save Training are able to facilitate other lifesaving qualifications that are available subject to demand - these include:

	•	Lifesaving Instructor
	•	AED Trainer Assessor
	•	AED User
	•	Lifesaving Assistant Instructor
	•	Rookie Instructor

If you are interested in any of these qualifications contact us

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National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

The RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is the most widely recognised lifeguard qualification available in the UK and can only be delivered though RLSS UK Approved Training Centres/Providers (ATC/Ps).

The NPLQ Generation 10 is a regulated Level 3 qualification entitled the Level 3 Award in Pool Lifeguarding. From 2024 the NPLQ Gen 10 will be worth 8 UCAS tariff points. This means that anyone applying for university 2024 will be able to include their current NPLQ Gen 10 within their application and gain 8 UCAS tariff points.

This award qualifies you to provide lifeguard cover in a pool environment during programmed and non-programmed activities.

The qualification has 3 compulsory sections:

	1.	The Lifeguard, Swimming Pool and Supervision
	2.	Intervention, Rescue and emergency Action Plan
	3.	CPR, AED and First Aid

This qualification requires 36 hours training with a recommended additional 10 hours self-study

Other qualifications can be bolted on to the NPLQ subject to additional training hours:

	•	Level 2 Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
	•	Level 2 Basic Life Support and Anaphylaxis Management
	•	Level 3 Emergency First Aid At Work
	•	Level 3 First Aid at Work

To enrol on the course candidates must be able to achieve the following:

	•	Be at least 16 years old on the date of the assessment
	•	Complete a swim test consisting of:
			o	Jump or dive into deep water
			o	Swim 50 metres in no more than 60 seconds
			o	Swim 100 metres continuously on front
			o	Swim 100 metres continuously on back
			o	Tread water for 30 seconds in deep water
			o	Surface dive to the bottom of the deepest part of the pool
			o	Climb out of the pool unaided, without the use of steps or ladders

This qualification is assessed by trainers ongoing assessment and a final independent assessment of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

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National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

This award qualifies those swimming teachers and coaches to supervise 'programmed' activities. This is the minimum qualification to be able to supervise swimmers whilst under their direct teaching / coaching. This qualification compliments our programme of ASA Teaching Aquatics and Coaching qualifications and is highly recommended for anyone involved in teaching or coaching swimmers.

This award is also suitable to Lifesaving Instructors and Lifeguard Trainer Assessors to supervise activities during programmed classes and training.

The course will cover

	•	The teacher, swimming pools and class management
	•	Intervention, Rescue and Emergency Action
	•	CPR and First Aid

This course can also be combined with the Emergency First Aid at Work and AED qualifications subject to suitable course duration

To enrol on the course candidates must be able to achieve the following:

New Candidates:

	•	Be at least 16 years old on the date of the assessment
	•	Swim 50 metres
	•	Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool where training
	•	Climb out of the pool without help and without using steps or ladders

Renewal Candidates:

	•	Be at least 16 years old on the date of the assessment
	•	Hold an in-date NRASTC at the point of assessment
	•	Swim 50 metres
	•	Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool where training
	•	Climb out of the pool without help and without using steps or ladders

Ideally candidates will also hold at least a Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) or coaching qualification. This award is also suitable to Lifesaving Instructors and Lifeguard Trainer Assessors to supervise activities during programmed classes and training.

This qualification is assessed by a final independent assessment of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills at the end of the course.

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Pool Lifeguard Trainer Assessor

This course is designed to train experienced lifeguards who to train and assess the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

The course is 5 days in duration and has four modules.

	•	Train the Trainer
	•	Train the Assessor
	•	CPR and First Aid
	•	8th Edition National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

All the modules must be successfully completed to become a Probationary Trainer Assessor

To enrol on the course candidates must:

	•	Be at least 18 years old at the start of the course
	•	Hold a current NPLQ
	•	Be in current individual membership of RLSS

This qualification is assessed by the trainer through ongoing assessment and successful completion of 2 presentations.

Following successful completion of the course and presentations the candidate will be appointed a mentor to work with them during their probationary period. During the probationary period the Probationary Trainer Assessor will be required to train a group of lifeguards for the NPLQ and present them for assessment and then be moderated whilst assessing a group of NPLQ candidates for their qualification.

It must be noted that this qualification does not qualify the Trainer Assessor to deliver or assess the AED bolt on to the NPLQ qualification. The RLSS AED Trainer Assessor qualification can be run as part of this qualification as day 6 or as a separate 1-day course.

For more information about the RLSS courses:

RLSS NPLQ course information
RLSS NRASTC course information
RLSS Pool Lifeguard Trainer Assessor course information

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