National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
The RLSS award in National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is a five-day course, designed to teach candidates a wide range of lifeguarding and essential life-saving skills that are required in a leisure facility or swimming pool environment.
Candidate Age Requirements
16+
Course Duration
5 days + self-study
Qualification Validity
2 years
Candidate Age Requirements
16+
Course Duration
5 days + self-study
Qualification Validity
2 years
NPLQ is the professional qualification required for pool lifeguards.
The main objective of the NPLQ training is to allow candidates to develop the knowledge and skills required to work as a pool lifeguard. We provide candidates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to supervise swimming pool activities. They learn how to deal with aquatic rescues and emergencies, and administer first aid as required, including CPR, AED and pool-related rescue equipment.
Is this course suitable for you?
The NPLQ training is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times, lifting casualties and diving to the deepest part of the swimming pool. Every candidate attending an NPLQ course must be able to:
- 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 the 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
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
To get qualified in the NPLQ course, candidates must be 16 years of age at the date of assessment, show 100% attendance and complete all assessments.
NPLQ qualification is valid for two years from the date of achievement. Candidates must requalify before the expiry date of their existing qualification to remain qualified.
Your certificate will be provided by the Royal Life Saving Society UK.
Course Duration
The total qualification time for the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification is 46 hours. It is made up of 36 guided learning hours (excluding breaks) and 10 hours for self-study.
Assessment
Assessment for the NPLQ will include a mixture of practical and theory-based assessments which is split into three sections:
- Practical pool assessment
- Theory Assessment
- Practical First Aid & CPR assessment
Book your health and safety training with Eureka!
NPLQ Ongoing Training is available.
We highly recommend “Pool Lifeguard in Service” ongoing training for your team and staff to maintain skills and competences. The common practice is once per month. Get in touch to book your next training with Eureka!
Add-On Qualifications
You can add the following qualifications to your NPLQ training.
First Aid
Automated External Defibrillation Qualification
You can add the AED qualification to your NPLQ training. This is an addition to the Basic AED training within the course. With this update, the course time will increase by a minimum of 1.5 guided learning hours, including assessment.
First Aid
Basic Life Support and Anaphylaxis Management
You can add Basic Life Support and Anaphylaxis Management qualification to your NPLQ training. This is an addition to the basic anaphylaxis training within the course. With this update, the course time will increase by a minimum of 1.5 guided learning hours, including assessment.
First Aid
Emergency First Aid at Work Qualification
You can add EFAW qualification to your NPLQ training. The syllabus of the EFAW qualification is covered within the core 36 hours of an NPLQ course. However, candidates will need to complete the full EFAW assessment. With this update, the course time will increase by a minimum of 1 hour to allow for the full EFAW assessment to take place.
First Aid
First Aid at Work
You can add the First Aid at Work qualification to your NPLQ training. The syllabus of the FAW qualification is covered within the core 36 hours of an NPLQ course. However, candidates will need to complete the full FAW assessment. With this update, the course time will increase by a minimum of 2 hours to allow for the full FAW assessment to take place.
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