With the closure of swimming pools, health clubs and gyms across the UK and Ireland, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has been quick to offer their lifeguards and customers, the opportunity to keep their knowledge and training bang up-to-date with free online learning.

Only launched on Wednesday 25 March, over 2,000 people have already completed the first of the online learning modules available, in the comfort and safety of their own homes. The online training is completely free of charge and offers holders of the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) and others, the chance to keep their skills, training and knowledge valid, with Continuous Personal Development (CPD) that actually counts as recorded evidence, towards their NPLQ renewal.

COVID-19 (coronavirus) is causing widespread disruption across the country, with the leisure sector hit particularly hard, and whilst the health and well-being of family and friends is at the forefront of everyone’s minds, job security and potentially missing mandatory training, is also a worrying issue.

“This is a very difficult time for our industry, it’s customers and employees. RLSS UK is totally committed to supporting all our customers, including lifeguards, who are an integral part of swimming pool operations across the UK and Ireland,” says Jo Talbot, RLSS UK’s Commercial Director.

“Free online training is just one of many ways we’re looking to provide support and add value to our offering as a Society. This first NPLQ online training module is one of 10 in total, each worth 0.5 CPD points. Their aim is to keep people engaged, qualified and motivated, whilst their places of work are closed.

“We are already looking to the future: our legion of highly-trained lifeguards are ready and waiting to go back to work and back out into their communities - when normal life resumes, this band of dedicated and passionate lifeguards and Trainers, will be fully prepared and raring to go.”

RLSS UK members received an additional boost, with an unprecedented online training package of 16 leisure sector-specific courses made available to them with some of the courses, offered in partnership with Creative Sport & Leisure and provided by EduCare, endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) and provided further CPD points.

The message from RLSS UK is clear: miss out on RLSS UK membership and miss out!

Join today: www.rlss.org.uk