Course Information
The NPLQ covers all elements of Pool Rescue Techniques, Lifeguarding Theory, First Aid and CPR.
The course is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times, lifting casualties and diving to the deepest part of the swimming pool. Training and assessment for the NPLQ are in three sections, and candidates must successfully pass all to attain the qualification.
Course Content
- The Lifeguard and the Law
- Swimming Pool, Hazards and Control Measures
- Swimming Pool Supervision
- Intervention and Rescue
- Rescue of a Casualty with a Suspected Spinal Injury
- Emergency Action Plan
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
- First Aid
- Automated External Defibrillation (AED)
Prerequisites
- Minimum age to attend this courses is 16 years old
- Active NVB Vetting/ Access NI (16 years +)
- Safeguarding Level 1 (required for certification)
Prices - Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €300
Prices - Non-Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €375
NRASTC is a supervision and rescue award for swimming teachers, coaches and/or instructors working during programmed activities, such as swimming lessons. It is suitable for teachers working in a wide range of swimming pools where the water is deeper than the teachers’ standing depth and meets the Individual sites risk assessment.
Course Content
- The Teacher, swimming pool and class management
- Intervention rescue and emergency action
- CPR and first aid
Prerequisites
- Be 16 years of age
- Active NVB Vetting/ Access NI (16 years +)
- Safeguarding Level 1 (required for certification)
- Swim Ireland Teaching/ Coaching Qualification
- Swim 50m
- Surface dive to the deepest part the pool
- Climb out without help and without using steps or ladders.
Prices - Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €125
Prices - Non-Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €150
The NVBLQ covers all elements of beach lifeguard theory, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, pool skills and open water skills.
The course is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times and lifting.
The NVBLQ is comprised of four modules and all must be successfully passed to attain the qualification.
Course Content
- Beach Lifeguarding – Knowledge and Understanding
- Life Support and First Aid
- Ocean Skills
- Pool Skills
Prerequisites
- Be 16-years-old or over at the time of the assessment
- Active NVB Vetting/ Access NI (16 years +)
- Safeguarding Level 1 (required for certification)
- Have a good level of fitness
- Surface dive to a depth of 1.5 metres
- Tread water for two minutes
- Climb out of deep water unaided and without steps
- Be competent at swimming in the sea
- Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 200 metres in a pool (of recommended length 25 metres, but no less than 20 metres) in five minutes or less
- For the assessment, candidates must be able to swim 400 metres in a pool (recommended 25 metres, but no less than 20 metres) in eight minutes or less using a continuous front stroke and showing urgency
Prices - Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €350
Prices - Non-Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €400
The OWL enables candidates with no previous lifeguard experience to become qualified.
By attaining this qualification candidates will have been assessed as competent to provide supervision and rescue cover for planned, organised and risk-assessed activities in open water still, non-tidal.
Course Content
- The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision
- Responding to an emergency and taking action
- CPR and First Aid
Prerequisites
- Be 16-years-old or over at the time of assessment
- Active NVB Vetting/ Access NI (16 years +)
- Safeguarding Level 1 (required for certification)
- Be competent and confident in open water
- Be able to submerge under the water confidently
- Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and show urgency.
Current National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) holders can use RPL from their NPLQ and attend a one-day RPL OWL qualification course, which will include an assessment by an OWL Assessor if successful they will be awarded an OWL qualification valid for 2 years.
Prices - Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €250
Prices - Non-Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €300
The National Pool Supervisor Qualification (NPSQ) is a two-day course aimed at staff responsible for supervising lifeguards and managing essential health and safety within a leisure centre or swimming pool environment.
It is suitable for lifeguards wishing to progress in their career or for employers wanting to upskill their employees to manage lifeguards, team members and essential health and safety.
Course Content
- Enhances your knowledge of why Risk Assessments, PSOP’s and Safe Systems of Work are in place to ensure a safe work environment, for both staff and customers.
- Gives you a basic understanding of the laws and industry guidelines that you and your team need to comply with.
- Helps you understand how to manage your team and provide feedback.
- An ideal course for newly appointed Leisure Supervisors or Duty Managers.
Prerequisites
This qualification is aimed at candidates aged 18+ who have a specific responsibility (paid or unpaid/voluntary) for managing and supervising a swimming pool environment.
Prices - Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €250
Prices - Non-Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €250
The qualification was developed in direct response to findings contained in an industry survey.
The survey results identified worrying knowledge gaps in both understanding, and complying with law, regulations and guidance when managing a leisure facility.
Course Content
The Principles of Risk Management
- Employees’ and employers’ legal responsibilities with regards to risk assessment
- Understanding the development, implementation and review of risk assessments within the context of the legal framework
- Employees’ and employers’ legal responsibilities with regards to Pool Safety Operating Procedures (NOP and EAP)
- Understanding the development, implementation and review of Pool Safety Operating Procedures within the context of the legal framework
Managing the Team
- Employees’ and employers’ legal responsibilities with regards to initial and ongoing training
- Understanding the development, implementation and review of induction procedures within the context of the legal framework
Understanding the Law
- Employees’ and employers’ legal responsibilities with regards to the law in the leisure industry
- Overview of the Health & Safety at Work
- Overview of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations
- Overview of other regulations relevant to the leisure industry
- Overview of Guidance documents in the leisure industry
- Overview of Effective Risk Management
Serious Incident Management
- Employees’ and employers’ legal responsibilities with regards to serious incident management
- Understanding the development, implementation and review of serious incident management systems within the context of the legal framework
- Overview of post incident management
- Overview of the legal aspects with regards to investigation management
Prerequisites
This qualification is aimed at candidates aged 18+ who have a specific responsibility (paid or unpaid/voluntary) for managing and supervising a swimming pool environment.
Prices - Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €550
Prices - Non-Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €550
Trainer Assessors are responsible for the delivery of RLSS vocational qualifications throughout Ireland and the UK.
If you are an experienced First Aider, Pool Lifeguard, Open Water Lifeguard, Beach Lifeguard, Swimming Teacher with National Rescue Award or Pool responder with ER Pool then this could be the next step for you.
Course Content
The Trainer Assessor course varies in the number of days depending on what specialism you choose. The course will comprise of four modules:
- Train the Trainer (1 day)
- Train the Assessor (1 day)
- CPR and AED (1 day)
- Qualification Specialism, which can be any of the following:
- National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Trainer Assessor (2 days)
- National Beach Lifeguard Qualification Trainer Assessor (3 days)
- Open Water Lifeguard Qualification Trainer Assessor (1 day)
- National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches Trainer Assessor (1 day)
- First Aid Trainer Assessor (1 day)
- ER Pool Trainer Assessor (1 day)
Prerequisites
- Be 18 years of age
- Active NVB Vetting/ Access NI (16 years +)
- Safeguarding Level 1 (required for certification)
- Swim Ireland Associate/ Club Member
- Be a member of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (Licence to Operator Membership)
- Hold a full Qualification for the specialised course (e.g. if you are attending a course to be a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Trainer Assessor you will need to hold a current National Pool Lifeguard Qualification)
Prices - Members
(exclusive of credit/debit card payment surcharge of 2%)
Full Course €1,000
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Cathal Rafferty Walsh
Education Support Officer
cathalraffertywalsh@swimireland.ie
+353 86 035 4986
IT Support, CPD, and Safeguarding