Candidate Pre-requisites
Candidates for the NPLQ Unit 1 should meet the following requirements prior to registering for the course:
- Be aged 16 or over on the date of the assessment
- Be able to swim 400 metres on front and back
- Be able to swim 50 metres in under one minute
- Be physically fit, have good eyesight and hearing (with the use of spectacles, contact lenses or hearing aids as appropriate), and have no medical conditions which might adversely affect their ability to undertake training (seek advice of course Trainer if unsure).
Equal Opportunities
There shall be no unnecessary barriers which prevent candidates from participating and effectively demonstrating their attainment.
Candidates will be asked to complete a Candidate Profile Form. The information requested on this form is for monitoring purposes only and will be treated confidentially.
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Course Information RLSS
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
Over 30,000 people each year gain the NPLQ - the Leisure Industry's premier lifeguard award. Whether you already work as a lifeguard or wish to gain employment as a lifeguard, the NPLQ is the award for you.The NPLQ is accepted as the leisure industry standard for lifeguards.
RLSS UK
RLSS UK is the principal provider of lifeguard training in the United Kingdom. RLSS UK works closely with other national and international recreational and safety organisations and co-operates fully with the emergency services.
RLSS UK is incorporated by Royal Charter and is a registered charity. RLSS UK is a leading member of RLSS Commonwealth and International Life Saving (ILS).
National Pool Lifeguard Qualification
The qualification is in two units:
The Principles of Lifesaving and Swimming Pool Supervision
The Application of Supervision and Rescue in a Swimming Pool
Unit 1: Training is provided by an RLSS UK Trainer/Assessor and assesses the candidate's generic knowledge of and skills relating to the principles of lifesaving and swimming pool supervision.
Unit 2: Training is continually assessed by an Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) Trainer/Assessor and addresses a candidate's ability to apply the generic skills and knowledge to the swimming pool environment.
Course Duration
The NPLQ course is of 38 hours duration (new) and 20 hours duration (renewal).
Assessment
The NPLQ assessment is conducted by an RLSS UK Trainer/Assessor who has made no contribution to, or had any influence on, the training of the candidates. He/she will work to the current RLSS UK Code of Practice and adhere to the syllabus and assessment criteria specified for the award.
The Unit 1 assessment is in four parts:
practical pool assessment
theory assessment
first aid assessment
CPR assessment
A candidate must be successful in all four sections to attain the qualification. In the event that a candidate fails a section, he/she will be advised of areas for improvement and credited with sections passed. A re-assessment of the failed section may be organised within 28 days of the original assessment date. The course trainer will advise on procedures for re-assessment.
Processing of Awards
Completed assessment reports will be sent to the Approved Training Centre's Assessments Officer who will forward the assessment reports with payment to IQL for processing. A carbon copy of the Assessment Report Form will be retained by the candidate as proof of successfully gaining the award.
IQL will despatch, by normal post, the NPLQ certificate and training logbook to the candidate's home address.
The validity period of the award is two years from the date of the assessment.
