How to get into Lifeguarding?

Becoming a lifeguard is an excellent career choice, at whatever stage of your life you are! The life skills learnt can be widely used and transferred (#IStartedAsALifeguard), and the role provides opportunities to: work abroad, start a career in the leisure industry, allow you to work flexible hours to fit around your home life or other commitments, keep active during retirement or earn some money whilst studying. 

“In a recent RLSS UK survey, 71% of lifeguards said they felt proud that they know how to save a person’s life.”

But how do you become a lifeguard?

The Qualification:

A Pool Lifeguard:

RLSS UK’s National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is the most awarded pool lifeguard qualification in the UK and Ireland with more than 90 per cent of all pool lifeguards qualified through RLSS UK.  

The NPLQ course requires a minimum of 36 hours of training, followed by a theory assessment and practical pool, First Aid and CPR assessment. The qualification is open to anyone that is 16-years-of age at the time of the assessment. The NPLQ covers all elements of Pool Rescue Techniques, Lifeguarding Theory, First Aid and CPR and candidates should 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 before commencing the course. Once completed the qualification is valid for 2 years.

NPLQ courses are held at leisure centres and venues across the UK and Ireland. To find a NPLQ course near you, visit www.rlss.org.uk/find-a-course or contact your local leisure centre, swimming pool, or lifesaving club for possible upcoming courses. 

A Beach Lifeguard:

The RLSS UK has teamed up with Surf Life Saving Association (SLSA) Wales to offer the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ), which is the national standard for beach lifeguarding and core qualification for anyone seeking employment on UK Beaches.

The NVBLQ course requires a minimum of 40 hours of training followed by an assessment on beach theory, life support, first aid and a swimming pool and open water practical. The qualification is open to anyone that is 16-years-of age at the time of the assessment. The NVBLQ covers all elements of Beach Lifeguard – Knowledge and Understanding, Life Support and First Aid, Ocean Skills and Pool Skills.  Prior to starting the course, candidates must have a good level of fitness and be able to: Surface dive to a depth of 2 metres, be competent at swimming in the sea, be able to swim at least 200 metres in a pool in five minutes or less. Before the assessment, candidates must be able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool (recommended 25 metres, but no less than 20 metres) in eight minutes using a continuous front crawl stroke and showing urgency. Once completed the qualification is valid for 2 years.

NVBLQ courses are held at locations, across the UK and Ireland. To find an NVBLQ course near you visit www.rlss.org.uk/find-a-course or contact your local training provider or lifesaving club for possible upcoming courses. 

An Open Water Lifeguard:

Open water swimming is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, with opportunities for lifeguards. The RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification has been specifically, designed to equip open water lifeguards with the skills required to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still or non-tidal water.

The OWL course requires a minimum of 18 hours of training followed by a practical assessment.
The qualification is open to anyone that is 16-years-of age at the time of the assessment. The OWL covers; the environment, hazards and supervision, responding to an emergency and taking action, and CPR and First Aid.  Prior to starting the course candidates should be competent and confident in open water, be able to submerge under the water confidently and swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front showing urgency.

OWL courses are held at locations, across the UK and Ireland. To find an OWL near you visit  www.rlss.org.uk/find-a-course or contact your local training provider or lifesaving club for possible upcoming courses. 

Once Qualified…

Once you’ve completed your chosen course and received your certificate, you are fully qualified and ready to find a job as a lifeguard. To help you to achieve your goal, RLSS UK works with the RNLI and leisure-focused recruitment agencies including 4Leisure Recruitment and Loan ALifeguard, who help place permanent, seasonal, casual, full-time and part-time roles across the UK and Ireland. There are also job roles with operators and venues regularly promoted on the RLSS UK website at  www.rlss.org.uk/external-jobs or you could call your nearest leisure centre, swimming venue, beach operator, water park or holiday resort complex, it often pays to be proactive!

Just some of the things RLSS UK lifeguards say about being a lifeguard?

“It’s an amazing experience!”

“You get to meet lots of people.”

“It’s a respected role that gives you opportunities for self-development.”

“It’s rewarding.”

“The first aid is a very transferable set of skills."

“It makes me proud every day.” 

“Being a lifeguard is so inclusive... the support and opportunities given were wonderful.”

“Lifeguarding has changed many people's lives, and I believe it can change the world.”

"I learnt so much from training to be a lifeguard when I was 16, and it has definitely given me more confidence and skills far beyond rescue skills, first aid and CPR.”

For more reasons why lifeguards find the role so fulfilling and rewarding click here.

To find out more about our qualifications click here