Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Republic of Ireland
  • News
  • Jobs in our industry
Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK )
My RLSS UKRLSS UK Shop Find a Course Donate
Menu
  • Water Safety
    • Advice For You
    • Advice For Your Business
    • Education Resources for Schools
    • Resources for Leisure Centres & Swimming Pools
    • Insight and Research
    • Industry Approved Aqua Parks
  • What We Do
    • Our Qualifications
    • Our Awards
    • Our Clubs
    • Lifesaving Sport
    • Support for Families
    • Industry Guidance
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Donate
    • Fundraise
    • Volunteer
    • Become a Corporate Partner
    • Water Rescue Equipment Register
  • Campaigns
    • Don't Drink and Drown
    • Drowning Prevention Week
    • Winter Water Safety
    • Summer Water Safety
    • Water Safety (Curriculum) Bill
  • Latest
    • RLSS UK Events
      • Lifesaving Sport
    • News
    • Blog
    • #EVERYDAYHEROES
  • About Us
    • Who Are We?
    • Contact Us
    • Who We Work With
      • Our Partners
      • RLSS UK Advisors
      • Consultancy Projects
    • Job Opportunities
      • Our Jobs
      • Trustee Opportunities
      • External Jobs
      • Apprenticeships
      • #IStartedAsALifeguard
    • International Work
    • RLSS UK's A-Z
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Republic of Ireland
    • News
    • Jobs in our industry
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • more-about-the-national-lifesaving-academy
  1. Home
  2. More about the National Lifesaving Academy

More about the National Lifesaving Academy

The RLSS UK National Lifesaving Academy awards are a suite of progressive awards that teach personal survival, first aid, CPR, rescue, and fitness skills to anyone aged 12 years and over.

Their aim is to teach candidates how to stay safe around water and how to safely assist others who may have gotten into difficulty in both aquatic and non-aquatic situations.

The awards are structured to teach foundational skills and then progressively build up the candidate’s skills. On achieving the Bronze
Medallion level of award, the candidate receives Recognition of Prior Learning hours towards the RLSS UK vocational lifeguard qualifications.

The awards are structured into three levels (Bronze Lifesaving Certificate, Bronze Star, and Bronze Medallion), and multiple environmental strands are available at the Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion levels.

The three award strands are as follows:
• Pool – completed in the swimming pool
• Open Water – completed preferably in non-tidal, inland open water sites
• Beach – completed on the coast

The Bronze Lifesaving Certificate is designed to teach new lifesavers the basics of staying safe in or around water. It provides the candidate with basic water safety knowledge, basic aquatic lifesaving skills, basic CPR, and basic First Aid.

The two subsequent award levels (Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion) are divided into three sections:

• Lifesaving Theory
• Lifesaving Survival and Rescue Skills
• CPR, AED & First Aid

Candidates will need to complete and pass all sections before moving on to the next award. Upon successfully completing the assessment, candidates will receive either a certificate or an e-certificate and medal depending on the award level.

Stages of the Programme

Stages of the Programme

Check out our new pathway Read more

Published: 20th September, 2022

Updated: 3rd February, 2023

Author: Kelly Key

Your questions answered

Your questions answered

The place for all of your questions about the new National Lifesaving Academy Read more

Published: 15th September, 2022

Updated: 7th October, 2022

Author: Kelly Key

More awards from RLSS UK

More awards from RLSS UK

Check out our awards pages for more lifesaving awards from RLSS UK Read more

Published: 10th September, 2022

Updated: 7th October, 2022

Author: Kelly Key

Back to top

Latest

  • Step-by-step guide to registering water rescue equipment without a GoodSAM Account

    Step-by-step guide to registering water rescue equipment without a GoodSAM Account

  • RLSS UK and GoodSAM collaborate to launch a game-changing Water Rescue Equipment Registry!

    RLSS UK and GoodSAM collaborate to launch a game-changing Water Rescue Equipment Registry!

    Officially launching at the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2023, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) and GoodSAM have collaborated to launch new water rescue equipment register that we hope will be the biggest in the world.

  • Birmingham lifeguards victorious after retaining title in national competition

    Birmingham lifeguards victorious after retaining title in national competition

    A team containing the cream of lifeguarding talent from the Birmingham Community Leisure Trust (BCLT) have won a national lifeguard competition, pushing aside teams from across the UK to win the Serco Leisure Lifeguard Competition at the iconic Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

  • Meet our Athletes and Coaches

    Meet our Athletes and Coaches

    Get inspired by the stories of our Lifesaving Sport athletes and coaches

Most read

  • National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)

    The Royal Life Saving Society UK 's National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). The UK’s most popular Pool Lifeguard Training and Certification with courses across the UK and Ireland.

  • Your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah)

    Your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah)

    Find out how to log in to your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah), view our how-to guides, and all the latest FAQs.

  • Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Find a Course (RLSS UK Course Finder)

    Looking to find a course? This page will direct you to where you need to go.

  • RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards

    RLSS UK Qualifications and Awards

  • Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    The term ‘cold water shock’ refers to a range of natural reactions that our bodies take to protect us when we enter cold water (although these reactions can sometimes work against us).

  • National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) is the core qualification for anyone seeking employment on UK Beaches. The NVBLQ ensures that the qualified lifeguard has the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively across a range of beach environments.

  • National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC)

    NRASTC is a supervision and rescue qualification for teachers working on the poolside or in the water during programmed activities, such as a swimming lesson.

  • Winter Water Safety

    Winter Water Safety

    Children are at risk when tempted to play on the ice and adults can find themselves at risk attempting to save them.

  • Contact Us

    Contact Us

    If you are looking to make an enquiry to the society, our customer service team will be able to help.

  • The stages of the Rookie Lifeguard programme

    The stages of the Rookie Lifeguard programme

    Rookie Lifeguards can receive a certificate, badge and sticker to mark their progress in their own progress book.

Tag cloud

First Aid NLA - FAQs


Our charity impact

Every day we give children the chance to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water, safely.

Find out more How do you want to help?

Popular Links

  • MY RLSS UK
  • Find a Course
  • Employment Opportunities

Quick Links

  • Contact Us
  • RLSS UK's A-Z
  • Policies
Report a Safeguarding Concern


Registered with fundraising regulator

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube


Contact Us

0300 323 0096
[email protected]
  • Sitemap
  • GDPR
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is a registered charity in England, Wales (1046060), and Scotland (SC037912). Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (3033781). Registered office: RLSS UK, Red Hill House, 227 London Road, Worcester, WR5 2JG Images and copyright © RLSS UK.

Manage Cookie Preferences