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  • Water Safety Advice
  1. Water Safety
  2. Advice For You

Water Safety Advice

An average of 328 UK and Irish Citizens lose their life to accidental drowning EVERY YEAR and many more have non-fatal experiences, sometimes suffering life-changing injuries.*

At the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), we work tirelessly to educate people to enjoy water safely, to keep their families and friends safe and to know what to do in an emergency. 

Learn how to keep you and your family safe with our water safety advice.

**Source: UK data - WAID 2020-2024. Data from 2020-2023 was enhanced in 2024 and may differ from earlier releases. Irish data - Water Safety Ireland 2020-2024.

Water Safety for Teenagers

Water Safety for Teenagers

Many incidents happen in everyday situations. Know the risks! Read more

Published: 28th April, 2026

Updated: 1st June, 2026

Author: Samantha Young

The Water Safety Code

The Water Safety Code

Please help us share The Water Safety Code (available in other languages). Read more

Published: 19th May, 2023

Updated: 10th June, 2025

Author: Jess Ackroyd

Drowning Prevention Week Campaign

Drowning Prevention Week Campaign

Annual RLSS UK campaign. Get involved and educate children in water safety skills. Read more

Published: 16th July, 2022

Updated: 1st May, 2026

Author: Kelly Key

Summer Water Safety

Summer Water Safety

Warmer weather is directly linked to an increase in fatal drowning incidents. Read more

Published: 1st July, 2022

Updated: 6th December, 2024

Author: Teri Youl

Winter Water Safety

Winter Water Safety

Children are at risk when playing on ice and adults are at risk attempting to save them. Read more

Published: 5th September, 2021

Updated: 5th April, 2024

Author: Teri Youl

Water Safety Advice and Resources for Families

Water Safety Advice and Resources for Families

Water safety information for holiday, at home, in residential pools, at the beach, in swimming pools as well as free practical and home learning packages. Read more

Published: 9th August, 2021

Updated: 24th February, 2023

Author: Kelly Key

Open Water Safety

Open Water Safety

Many drownings occur due to a lack of knowledge of open water safety. Read more

Published: 26th February, 2021

Updated: 10th June, 2025

Author: Jess Ackroyd

Water Safety Advice for Outdoor Activities

Water Safety Advice for Outdoor Activities

These pages provide guidance to enjoy water safely when outdoors. Read more

Published: 24th February, 2021

Updated: 10th June, 2025

Author: Kelly Key

Drowning Facts

Drowning Facts

We’ve created a set of 10 Drowning Facts for you to raise awareness about this tragic topic. Read more

Published: 27th February, 2020

Updated: 15th June, 2025

Author: Kelly Key

How to rescue someone from drowning

How to rescue someone from drowning

What do you do when there are no lifeguards and someone is drowning? Read more

Published: 18th July, 2018

Updated: 10th June, 2025

Author: Teri Youl

Advice to enjoy being in, on and around water safely

Advice to enjoy being in, on and around water safely

RLSS UK aims to ensure that everyone has the know-how to stay safe whether they are spending time in, on or around water. Read more

Published: 17th July, 2018

Updated: 8th May, 2025

Author: Tara Sutton

Working in, on or near water

Working in, on or near water

Advice and water safety training courses. Read more

Published: 29th April, 2017

Updated: 5th June, 2024

Author: Kelly Key

Adnoddau Diogelwch Dŵr yn Gymraeg

Adnoddau Diogelwch Dŵr yn Gymraeg

Mae Cymdeithas Frenhinol Achub Bywyd y DU (RLSS UK) yn falch o gynnig cyfoeth o ddeunyddiau yn Gymraeg i sicrhau ymwybyddiaeth o ddiogelwch dŵr ar draws cymunedau yng Nghymru. Read more

Published: 7th August, 2014

Updated: 30th April, 2026

Author: Jess Ackroyd

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    The NPLQ is the UK’s most popular pool lifeguard qualification.

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

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  • National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)

    Learn how 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.

  • Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    Cold Water Shock – the Facts

    Cold water can be from the temperature of a swimming pool and below.

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    How to renew your NPLQ qualification

  • Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools

    This information supports the HSE document ‘Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools’ 2018 edition.

  • Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification

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    Gain the skills required to supervise and rescue in still, non-tidal water.

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

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