RLSS UK Lifeguard Training - Qualifying for a NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification)

 

RLSS - National Pool Lifeguard Course

The NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification) is the most widely recognised lifeguard qualification in the UK. Successfully completing this course will qualify you to work as a Pool Lifeguard. The course is physically demanding and covers all elements of pool rescue techniques, CPR, first aid, lifeguarding theory, swimming to set times and number of lengths (swimming both front and back strokes continuously), lifting casualties and diving to the deep end of the pool. 

The course requires a minimum of 36 hours (normally 5 full days) and requires 100% attendance. You will be expected to be mentally alert and self-disciplined as well as physically fit.

As a prerequisite of the NPLQ course you must be able to:

• Jump or dive into deep water
• Swim 50 meters in less than 60 seconds
• Swim 100 meters on both front and back continuously
• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the bottom of the pool
• Climb out of the pool unaided (without using steps/ladders)

So why do I want this qualification? Well it is recognised worldwide and you can add modules to this just like any other fitness qualification to widen your knowledge and to work anywhere in the world.

A Day by Day Guide of the NPLQ Course

Day One

I will be honest about this, I didn't sleep too well the night prior to the course. It is quite a strenuous course and although I was a swimmer back in the day, I was not sure if my stamina in the pool was still there or whether I had lost it? 

However when I arrived the Trainer Aaron was so friendly and put me at ease straight away. All the students arrived and Aaron took us straight to the pool. We did a few lengths of the pool with Aaron watching to see where our fitness levels were in the water. We then went straight into the training for the next hour in the pool. The itinerary for the morning was:

• Swim 50 meters in under 60 seconds
• Swim 4 lengths on our front (crawl or breaststroke) continuously.
• Swim 4 lengths on our back continuously
• Swim 1 length with a torpedo buoy on our right shoulder
• Swim 1 length with a torpedo buoy on our left shoulder
• Swim 1 length with a torpedo buoy on our right shoulder and with a casualty
• Swim 1 length with a torpedo buoy on our left shoulder and with a casualty
• Swim 1 length, side stroke with a casualty using our right arm
• Swim 1 length, side stroke with a casualty using our left arm.

We then had a coffee break.

Before lunch we learnt about NOP (Normal Operation Procedures), what is expected from a lifeguard both the skills and the characteristics, the importance of observations and the implications regarding the law if procedures are not procured correctly.

After lunch - it was all about practical exercises. We learnt how to roll a casualty from a face down position to a supine position, how to place a casualty into the recovery position and how and when to perform CPR on a casualty.

Day Two

Day two started with practical revision from yesterday, rolling over the casualty and placing in the recovery position. Then straight on to CPR with the rescue dummies, full rounds of chest compression and breaths (using pocket masks). We are kept in the same groups, which assists with team work theories. 

This was followed by classroom work on administration and form completing such as Health and Safety, NOP (Non Operational Procedures), EOP (Emergency Operational Procedures), Hazards, Risk Assessments, Prevention and Signage.

After lunch we went into the pool for a timed swim of 1 length swim with a torpedo buoy, rescue a conscious casualty and swim 1 length with the torpedo buoy and casualty in 65 seconds. This was followed by rescue swim techniques (under shoulder, hip and under 2 shoulder swims with a casualty) continuing with rescue swims of an unconscious casualty with a lift onto poolside (3 lifeguard rescue).

The final classroom work of the day was 'First Aid at Work' looking for signs, symptoms and history of a casualty and the steps taken to preserve life, alleviate suffering, prevent the casualty from deteriorating and promote recovery (PAPP).

Day Three

The first activity of the day was a revision test (in your group) on all the topics covered over the last two days. The group was then asked to walk around the leisure centre with a risk assessment form and look for any hazards.

A coffee break was followed with a slide show about pool hazards i.e. rapids, flumes, wave machines, lane ropes, starter blocks, moving floors, booms and deep water diving areas. Then a talk through what is expected from a lifeguard on the final assessment day. 

Around midday we went into the pool. We were timed on all our swims and continued with casualty rescue practical revision. The next rescues were for spinal injuries and how they are performed in deep water, how to turn a spinal casualty and how to lift a spinal casualty onto poolside. 

Lunch time was followed by first aid practicals and theory on anaphylactic shock treatment, asthma attacks, hyperventilation, panic attacks, bleeds, burns, bandage application, slings, concussion and compression.

Day Four

The morning started with CPR practical revision and then the procedures for CPR on children and babies, a spinal casualty CPR and the signs, symptoms and treatment for a choking casualty.

At 10.30am we went into the pool for two hours going through all the rescue swims plus using a spine board to remove a spinal injury from the pool.

After lunch we continued with CPR and the use of a defibrillator. The day ended with revision questions ready for tomorrow's assessment.

Day Five

So today is 'the big' assessment day. Aaron our course trainer firstly put us all at ease with the events of the day ahead. He ran through some revision notes and asked us questions on all the topics we completed the previous days. This is a great exercise as it makes you understand that information does in fact 'stick' and you are able to remember the information when required.

Aaron then took us into the pool to run over some of the rescue swims and the spinal board procedure to make sure that we were happy and confident in the pool. 

Aaron then went through some of the first aid practice and a review of signs, symptoms and treatments.

Prior to the Assessors arriving we were given our multiple choice exam papers (48 questions)

The Assessors arrived and we were split into groups.

The Assessment was as follows:

Wet Side

• Torpedo buoy rescues
• Timed swims
• Spinal rescues (spinal vice grip and turn over, extended arm rollover)
• Lifting casualties from the pool to the side of pool
• Rescue using the Spinal Board

Dry Side

• CPR (adult, child, infant, spinal CPR) using a Defibrillator
• Choking casualties, signs, symptoms and treatment
• Secondary survey
• Bandage wounds, slings, treatment for shock
• Anaphylactic shock treatment.

Exam and Assessment completed.

RLSS UK Lifeguard Qualification

So, the course is now completed and I am a qualified Pool Lifeguard. There are many other additions to this qualification for example OWL (Open Water Lifeguard) or you may wish to further your career and become a Trainer/Assessor with the Royal Life Saving Society

The course is strenuous, physically and mentally demanding. You have to be physically fit, a good swimmer, mentally focused and have plenty of stamina to complete this course. Thank you to Aaron for being an amazing teacher and helping all the students to feel confident and at ease with the training and assessment Victory Aquatics and Training UK

The role of a Lifeguard is not just about sitting in a chair. It is a responsible job to ensure all water activities are safe, by being alert and a quick responder. It is about preventing injury and being on the look out for hazards to keep swimmers out of harm's way. It is also about saving lives and reacting quickly to emergency situations. A Lifeguard must be approachable, calm, authoritative whilst being friendly and amiable 

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