National Rescue Award for Swim Teachers/Coaches

NRASTC is a supervision and rescue award for swimming teachers, coaches and (or) instructors working during programmed activities, such as swimming lessons. It is suitable for teachers working in a wide range of swimming pools where the water depth is higher than the teachers’ standing depth and meets the individual facility’s Risk Assessment.

The NRASTC course is open to anyone who is 16 years of age or older at the date of the assessment and able to:

• Swim a minimum of 50 metres on your front and back
• Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
• Climb out unaided without using steps or ladders (where venue design permits)

The 2 day NRASTC course covers the following topics:

• The teacher, swimming pool, and class management
• Intervention rescue
• Emergency action
• CPR and First Aid

To achieve the NRASTC certificate, candidates must pass a formal assessment at the end of the course, where trainees demonstrate the skills and knowledge learned in the form of a theory and practical test.

The NRASTC is valid for a period of 2 years. Candidates must renew before the 'expiry date' stated on the certificate. This includes a full assessment of knowledge and skills by an independent assessor. 

The following is required to be completed prior to the renewal assessment of an award to demonstrate ongoing professional competence: 

6 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) within the last two years from the date of the previous assessment covering content from the syllabus: 

• The Teacher, Swimming Pool and Class Management (at least 2 hours)
• In-water swimming pool rescue skills (at least 2 hrs)
• CPR, AED and First Aid (at least 2 hrs) 

Candidates renewing must be able to provide evidence of the above prior to the assessment.

Please be aware that attending the NRASTC 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 NRASTC assessment if by the end of the course they have 100% attendance and they are deemed competent in all aspects by the Course Trainer.