Yes, this was emailed to all Approved Training Centre Coordinators in July 2012 inviting them to enrol. As On-going Training and Competency Assessment content and delivery is the responsibility of the pool operator, the link was sent directly to them rather than individual Trainer Assessors.

If you are a Centre Coordinator and haven’t received the email please ensure we hold your correct details, follow the link www.ongoingtandca.org.uk and click onto Enrol / Sign up

Search on our website ‘find a course’ page for an ‘AED trainer assessor course’ to find a course in your area. If you have between six and eight trainer assessors, we can arrange an AED for your organisation. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for details.

No, however we have produced a web version for Mac users that is fully functional www.iql.org.uk/e-environment/index.php

Free downloads are available to enable Mac computers to play the video.

Yes, just use Microsoft PowerPoint on a Mac.

Choose install to hard drive option as this speeds up the use of the videos (in particular on older computers).

• When answering a question it is acceptable for candidates to demonstrate knowledge and understanding without covering the full range of answers possible, as many of the questions are open. This can ensure competence is demonstrated by all the candidates. This also checks that the full syllabus has been taught to all candidates throughout a course.
• When assessing CPR with more than one rescuer you can rotate candidates at a minimum of two cycles of 30:2 without the need to see a full two minutes, as you are looking for a smooth changeover without interruption in CPR. (See Red Stripe assessment guidance 3.1.2).
• Ensure candidate assessment award forms are pre-filled with candidate information to save time when completing the paperwork.
• Remember the assessment guidelines are excluding changing times and breaks.
• Again, familiarity will speed up the assessment process.

Yes, as long as the rephrasing/rewording produces the same answers as the original text. Open questions can also be used for multiple candidates as they have multiple answers.

We have ensured that all slides cover the full syllabus of skills, in particular to assist you in learning the new

syllabus. It is important for us to ensure that there are enough resources to be able to assist all trainers with any support you may require.

The following points will assist when using the slides:

• Many trainers have stressed the importance of practicing with the slides against the relevant lesson plans prior to delivering their first 8th Edition NPLQ course. By the second or third course, you will find that the slides will become more familiar and easier to use.
• The slides work well when used with ‘The Lifeguard’ manual, scheme of work and lesson plans. We still want our trainers to be innovative however, and you may find on occasions that you want to deliver a topic using an alternative method. As long as you follow the scheme of work and lesson plans to ensure that the full syllabus of skills is suitably covered, this is fine, but the slides must either be used to outline content or to sum up at the end of your session.
• The video resources to demonstrate pool based practical skills will allow you to be more efficient with your time.

Assessment forms will be sent out and ordered as per the current arrangements. The NPLQ 8^th Edition assessment forms are different to the 7^th Edition assessment forms. The 8^th Edition assessment forms will be accompanied with a freepost return envelope to IQL that will be large enough to accept 12 assessment forms. Therefore we are requesting that the assessment forms for the entire course are returned in this envelope. Processing at River House will continue as normal.

Once the qualification is on the framework we envisage that you will still be able to apply for funding.

We are currently researching the use of a two person spinal board technique. As soon as this has been ratified by the RLSS we will look to incorporate this in the 8^th Edition. We have no timescales for the completion of this research.

RLSS UK has developed the qualification following consultation with the Leisure Industry, Trainer Assessors and consulting with our international partners.

The price of the packs have remained at the same price as in 2012, therefore we would hope that course prices would remain close to what they are currently. Please look at the 'Find a Course' page of our website for details on courses within your local area.

New candidates must have a new manual. Candidates that are renewing their NPLQ will require access to the 8^th Edition manual. NPLQ 8^th Edition manuals can be purchased on its own from Lifesavers Direct.

Current NPLQ holders can update to the 8^th Edition through ongoing training. Each candidate must have a minimum of the requisite 20 hours of training and be familiar with the 8^th Edition syllabus. Please see your site trainer for more information on your training.

Yes, provided you are an RLSS UK AED Trainer NPLQ 8^th Edition.

The Emergency FAW syllabus is covered in its entirety within the First Aid section of the NPLQ 8^th Edition. So where the RLSS Trainer Assessor is also a First Aid at Work Instructor with the permission of their Training Provider, Trainer Assessor’s should be able to dual certificate the NPLQ and the EFAW. We urge Trainer Assessor’s to contact their FAW Training Provider to clarify.

Yes, through the provision of the resources outlined above.

In keeping with maintaining standards through 8^th Edition we will require you to undergo a skills check and for you to receive and understand the RLSS training resources. This is to ensure consistency and delivery by all RLSS trained AED instructors.

No, AED updates will be a separate update to the main 8^th Edition update and venues and dates will be published on our website in the New Year.

CPR changes generally occur on a five year cycle and you were updated accordingly. The development of the NPLQ 8^th Edition has not been driven by the CPR changes this time. NPLQ 8^th Edition has a brand new syllabus and training resources to accompany it. It is therefore compulsory that Trainer Assessors attend a face to face update in order to deliver the NPLQ 8^th Edition.

If as a candidate you attend an NPLQ 8^th Edition course, you will receive an NPLQ 8^th Edition certificate. The certificate will display information regarding the use of a rescue board and the use of AED if it is applicable.

AED assessment is Trainer Assessed. When presenting candidates for assessment, the candidate must successfully pass the core syllabus of the NPLQ (sections 1-3) and the Trainer is required to counter-sign the assessment form to confirm competency achieved in AED.

The main syllabus is not trainer assessed, although as with previous Editions Trainer Assessors are required to complete personal performance records for each of the candidates ensuring they are ready for assessment.

AED will be incorporated in exactly the same way that we have incorporated Spinal Board in the 7^th Edition, it is optional. If AED is included in your NPLQ course, this will be detailed on the candidates certificate.

The qualification will be valid for 2 years, the same as the current qualification.

There are a number of changes between the current qualification and the new qualification:

• The 8^th Edition of the NPLQ will have additional emphasis on early intervention, 
  the role of the lifeguard and the lifeguards understanding of PSOP.
• 8^th Edition will see the integration of the current Unit 2 in to the overall qualification.
• 8^th Edition will have significantly enhanced training resources for Trainer Assessors
  which will include PowerPoint presentations for each section of the qualification.
  The PowerPoint presentations will include new and improved photos and embedded video to support the learning process.
  The PowerPoint presentations come complete with embedded Tutor Notes.
• There will be an optional bolt on element of AED.
• 8^th Edition will show considerable improvements to the Master Programme.
• The 8^th Edition NPLQ course will last for 36 hours with an additional 1 ½ hours for AED.
• NPLQ 8^th Edition Trainer Assessors now have the option of becoming an AED instructor.

The NPLQ 8^th Edition has been finalised and will contain 3 Sections and each Section will contain 3 Elements as follows:

Section 1 – The Lifeguard and the Law, Swimming pool and Supervision

• Element 1 – The Lifeguard and the Law
• Element 2 – Swimming Pool, Hazards and Control Measures
• Element 3 – Swimming Pool Supervision

Section 2 – Intervention and Rescue and Emergency Action Plans

• Element 1 – Intervention and Rescue
• Element 2 – Rescue of a Casualty with a Suspected Spinal Injury
• Element 3 – Emergency Action Plan

Section 3 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, AED and First Aid

• Element 1 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Element 2 – Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
• Element 2 – First Aid

Element 2 of Section 3 will be an optional bolt on to the qualification

Following feedback from the Leisure Industry and Trainer Assessors we were asked to address the role of the lifeguard, for example Lifeguards taking responsibility and understanding accountability in carrying the job as a Lifeguard. The Leisure Industry also asked that we address lifeguards ability to interact with customers and therefore promoting early intervention. The Trainer Assessor’s have asked us for better training resources and a consistent standard of delivery, streamlined paperwork and a number of syllabi refinements or additions, for example the removal of Bear Hug and the addition of AED.