Enrolments are open to become a qualified lifeguard at Sport Lancaster in April 2024.

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), in association with Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSSUK), is the most widely recognised lifeguard qualification in the UK.

Upon successful completion of the NPLQ, participants become fully qualified lifeguards, equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively respond to aquatic emergencies, ensuring the safety of individuals in and around the pool area.

The course, taking place over six days in April, covers a comprehensive range of topics including teaching in National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Anaphylaxis Management.

Throughout the week, participants will undergo practical and theoretical assessments to ensure their competence in handling emergency situations, such as water rescue techniques, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and poolside management.

Course Information

Learning dates: Monday 8 April-Friday 12 April 2024, 8am-5pm

Assessment date: Saturday 13 April 2024, 9am-3pm

Total cost: £300

Enrolment closing date: Wednesday 3 April 2024

All applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be over the age of 16 on the day of assessment
• Swim 50m in less than 1 minute
• Swim 100m continuously on your front then 100m on your back
• Tread water in deep water for more than 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
• Climb out of the pool unaided

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

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, and Swimming Pool Supervision
• Section 2 – Intervention, Rescue and Emergency Action Plans
• Section 3 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillation (AED), and First Aid

Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

AED is part of the guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the UK and Europe and a vital part of improving the chance of survival in cases of cardiac arrest, in some cases up to 75%.

This part of the course comprises of both practical and theoretical classroom work, including:

• Assessing an incident
• Managing an unresponsive casualty
• CPR including AED
• Pocket mask
• Recovery position
• Safety consideration with an AED

Anaphylaxis Management

This part of the course is designed to be delivered over one day, comprising of both practical and theoretical classroom learning, as well as a practical assessment on CPR, AED and using an adrenaline auto-injector. Other modules include:

• Assessing an incident
• Providing first aid to an unresponsive casualty
• CPR including AED
• Pocket mask
• Recovery position
• Recognising a casualty with anaphylaxis
• Using an adrenaline auto-injector

For more information on how Sport Lancaster can support you in becoming a qualified lifeguard, please email sportenquiries@lancaster.ac.uk or call us on 01524 510600.