National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

The RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the United Kingdom and Ireland that complies with the industry guidance contained within the HSE publication ‘Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools’. The RLSS UK NPLQ is not just a qualification it can be a stepping stone into a career within the leisure industry.

Every candidate attending a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (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 ladder/steps and where the pool design permits

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
• Section 2 – Intervention and Rescue and Emergency Action Plans
• Section 3 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, AED and First Aid

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:

• Theory Assessment – test paper with multiple choice questions
• Practical Pool Rescue assessment
• Practical First Aid & CPR assessment

The NPLQ is valid for two years and must be renewed within the validityperiod of the existing qualification as stated on the original certificate. To renew, the candidate must have a minimum of 20hrs of ongoing lifeguard training and should be able to provide evidence of the signed training logs.

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 during the final theory and practical assessments. Candidates will only be submitted for their NPLQ assessment if by the end of the course they have 100% attendance and they are deemed competent in all aspects of the NPLQ by the Course Trainer.