National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) UK’s NPLQ is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the UK and Ireland. More than 35,000 pool lifeguards qualify with the RLSS UK every year, and there are currently more than 74,000 NPLQ-qualified pool lifeguards – 95% of all UK pool lifeguards. The NPLQ is also internationally recognised.

NPLQ Generation 10 is the latest edition of the NPLQ. It has endorsement against the CIMSPA Lifeguard Standard and meets the requirements within the Health and Safety Executive’s Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179). The NPLQ Gen 10 can be delivered with optional additional qualifications – AED, EFAW, FAW, and Anaphylaxis Management. The NPLQ is a great addition to any CV or higher education application, and from May 2024, NPLQ Gen 10 carries 8 UCAS Tariff points.

Course Prerequisites

Every candidate attending a NPLQ course must be 16 years old or above at the time of taking the NPLQ final assessment and be able to:

• Jump/dive into deep water
• Swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds
• Swim 100 metres continuously on front and back in deep water
• Tread water for 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the floor of the pool
• Climb out unaided without a ladder/steps and where the pool design permits

Course Content

During the NPLQ course you will learn about:

• Swimming Pool Safety Operation and Supervision
• Pool Lifeguard Emergency Rescue Skills
• First aid, illness and Injury Management in a Pool Environment

Dates and Times

Location

Important Information

Course times are subject to change. These will be confirmed nearer to the course start date. This qualification is delivered and assessed in English. Bookings must be made through the account of the individuals attending the training.

Candidates will only be submitted for their NPLQ assessment if by the end of the course they have 100% attendance and they are signed off as competent in all aspects of the NPLQ. This decision will be down to the NPLQ Trainer Assessor leading the course, who will provide feedback to candidates on their performance throughout the course. Any improvements to be made will be highlighted at the earliest time. Should any extra training/reassessment of any part of the course be necessary due to not being put forward on the original assessment date/failure of assessment further costs will be charged.

Please be aware that attending the NPLQ course does not guarantee you a qualification; this will be dependant on the performance and the abilities of the candidate.