National Lifesaving Academy

Path from Bronze lifesaving certificate, Bronze star, Bronze Medallion to Bronze distinction across Pool Beach and Open Water disciplines

On achieving the Bronze Medallion level of award, our members will receive Recognition of Prior Learning hours towards the RLSS UK vocational lifeguard qualifications. The awards are structured into three levels (Bronze Lifesaving Certificate, Bronze Star, and Bronze Medallion), and multiple environmental strands are available at the Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion levels. The three award strands are as follows:

Pool – completed in the swimming pool
Open Water – completed preferably in non-tidal, inland open water sites
Beach – completed on the coast

The Bronze Lifesaving Certificate is designed to teach new lifesavers the basics of staying safe in or around water. It provides our members with basic water safety knowledge, basic aquatic lifesaving skills, basic CPR, and basic First Aid.

The two subsequent award levels (Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion) are divided into three sections:

Theory
Lifesaving Skills
CPR & First Aid

Members will need to complete and pass all sections before moving on to the next award. Upon successfully completing the assessment, members will receive either a certificate or an e-certificate and medal depending on the award level.

One of the key factors of the new programme is the clear pathway from Rookie to Lifeguard. Rookies can easily transition into the new programme, as can new candidates to lifesaving through the accessible and challenging Bronze Lifesaving Certificate.

The National Lifesaving Academy provides the opportunity to test skills in a number of environments and ultimately progress through a pathway to be part of the next generation of pool, beach and open water lifeguards.

Lifesaving candidates may choose to master their skills in one environment, or they may choose to develop in all three environments. Progression through the awards includes developing life support in every award. After achieving a medallion in a strand, lifesavers will have developed expert skills and abilities, and will be able to remove 7 hours of teaching from the respective lifeguard qualification - either NPLQ, NVBLQ or OWL.

Following the completion of a Medallion, candidates can choose to take the National Lifesaving Academy Distinction.