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NATIONAL POOL LIFEGUARD QUALIFICATION

Pool Extraction Board

Through IQL UK, the leading provider of lifeguard training, there are more than 90,000 RLSS UK pool lifeguards trained in the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). IQL UK is the awarding organisation recognised and monitored by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, CCEA Regulation in Northern Ireland and accredited by SQA Accreditation in Scotland.

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​Lifeguards benefit from varied working hours which you can easily fit around your other commitments, working within a team and there’s also the opportunity to progress your career within the leisure industry as most leisure managers start off as Pool Lifeguards. 

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We offer additional bolt on qualifications during our NPLQ courses. Each course listed on our website or on RLSS UK course finder will detail which will be offered alongside the NPLQ, each of these will include additional hours:

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The benefits of becoming a lifeguard:

  • Excellent starting point for a career in the leisure industry

  • Opportunity for career progression, as most leisure managers start off as Pool Lifeguards

  • Varied working hours

  • Work within a team

  • The NPLQ is recognised around the world, so potential to work and travel

  • Great way for students to fund studies

  • Learn essential life skills, including First Aid and CPR

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Course content

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.

Section 1 – The Lifeguard and the Law, Swimming Pool Supervision

Element 1 – The Lifeguard and the Law
Element 2 – Swimming Pool, Hazards and Control Measures
Element 3 – Swimming Pool Supervision

Section 2 – Intervention and Rescue and Emergency Action Plans

Element 1 – Intervention and Rescue
Element 2 – Rescue of a Casualty with a Suspected Spinal Injury

Element 3 – Emergency Action Plan

Section 3 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, AED and First Aid

Element 1 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Element 2 – First Aid

Element 3 – Automated External Defibrillation (AED)​

About the assessment

Assessment for the NPLQ takes place at the end of the course. 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:

  • Practical pool assessment

  • Theory Assessment for all 3 sections

  • Practical First Aid & CPR assessment

About the renewal

NPLQ renewal candidates may renew their qualification within the period of validity of their existing qualification as stated on their certificate. This will include a full assessment of lifeguard knowledge. Candidates must have access to the most up to date copy of ‘The Lifeguard’ manual prior to assessment.

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The following is required to be completed by candidates prior to the renewal assessment of their qualification to demonstrate their ongoing professional competence:

20 hours Continued Professional Development within the last two years from the date of previous assessment 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 hours)

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

We can provide ongoing lifeguard training at Boldon CA, it takes place on the first Thursday of every month, please contact us to arrange this. 

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