Lifeguarding

 

I operate a pool; do I need to provide lifeguards?

There is no specific legal requirement to provide lifeguards… However, the Health and Safety at Work Act (H&SAWA 1974), the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSAWA 1999) and specifically the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance publication Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179) places specific responsibilities on a pool operator to do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure the health safety and wellbeing of staff customers and others who may be affected by work activities.

HSG179 provides a flow chart to help you determine if you need continuous pool supervision (and if so, to what degree), together with alternative or supplementary arrangements which may be put into place.

In practice, apart from a few specific pool designs and operating conditions, it is unlikely that you will be able to do without lifeguards.

 

How many lifeguards do I need to provide?

This depends on the size and depth of your pool, the age, ability and number of swimmers you expect to have in the pool and the activities you intend to allow or promote.

A thorough risk assessment, together with the guidance within HSG179, will inform your decision making regarding lifeguard numbers.

 

What qualification should my lifeguards hold?

A Lifeguard will typically hold a professional lifeguarding qualification, typically the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, which is THE industry standard lifeguarding qualification, allowing to lifeguard in any swimming pool and which is recognised internationally. Other lifeguarding awards are available including a Pool Lifeguard qualification provided by the Swimming Teachers Association (STA)

 

How long does a Lifeguard qualification last?

A lifeguard qualification lasts for two years, during which time the lifeguard must attend a minimum of 20hrs on-going training. If this has been accrued, then the lifeguard is eligible to undertake a renewal assessment and re-qualify for a further 2years

 

How old do you need to be to become a Lifeguard?

You must be 16yrs or over in order to qualify as a lifeguard.

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Are there any pre-requisites for the course?

Apart from age, the only pre-requisite is that you have a reasonable swimming standard, and the RLSS describes this as being able to:

• Swim 100m on your front and on your back.

• Tread water for 30 seconds

• Climb out of the pool without using the steps, and

• Dive to the bottom of the deepest part of the pool.

If you are not confident of this, then you should attend a pre-course assessment session, which we offer prior to each of our NPLQ courses.

 

Where can I find a RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Course?

DutyMet offers regular RLSS NPLQ courses, please check our current course list for availability. Additionally, you can contact the RLSS who can advise on courses available nationally.

 

I understand that Lifeguards need to train regularly… what is regularly?

While the training requirement in order to renew a lifeguard qualification is 20hrs accrued over a 2 year period, for lifeguards who work consistently in that role, the training requirement is for 2hrs per month to include, amongst other things: CPR, First Aid and Water Rescue skills. It is generally accepted that if a lifeguard misses training in a calendar month, they cannot work on poolside in a lifeguarding capacity until they have attended another training session.

 

Who can deliver the training?

Lifeguard training MUST be delivered by a qualified RLSS NPLQ Trainer Assessor. Training delivered by persons not holding the award is invalid. Other training the lifeguard may receive e.g. in centre operating procedures or to do with other aspects of their role unconnected with lifeguarding, may be delivered by other competent individuals.

 

We don’t have a lifeguard Trainer Assessor, what can we do?

It is always advisable to train your lifeguards at your pool, using your equipment. If you don’t have your own TA staff to deliver this, then you may be able to find a TA locally who will fulfil this for you. Alternatively, you can contact another pool operator who may allow your staff to join their own training sessions. A nominal fee (often the cost of a swim) is usually charged.

 

We run a learn-to-swim school. All we do is teach swimming to children. Do we need to provide a lifeguard?

Not necessarily. If your pool conditions and risk assessment allow, you may be able to operate utilising your swim teachers in a combined teaching/lifeguarding capacity. In these circumstances, the award they would need is the RLSS National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC) which is the most widely recognised industry standard qualification of this type. This is NOT a lifeguarding qualification however and the holder cannot work as a lifeguard with this award.

 

Where can I find a RLSS National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches Course?

DutyMet offers regular RLSS NRASTC courses, please check our current course list for availability. Additionally, you can contact the RLSS who can advise on courses available nationally.

If you are a swim school, swimming club or other similar organisation and are looking for a NRASTC course for your teachers/coaches, please contact us for details.

 

What training is there for staff and others who might be called upon to assist the lifeguard in an emergency?

For operators of small pools and those who don’t have multiple lifeguards on duty at any one time, then you often need to involve other non-lifeguard staff in your safety arrangements, particularly if there is a pool related incident.

The RLSS Emergency Responder (Pool) qualification is designed to give those staff (receptionist, cleaner, teacher, fitness staff, duty manager, volunteer helper etc.) the skills in order to respond to an emergency and support the lifeguard in handling the situation safely. This qualification is rapidly becoming the industry standard for operators requiring staff to fulfil this role.

 

Where can I find an RLSS Emergency Responder Pool Course?

DutyMet offers regular RLSS First Responder (Pool) courses, please check our current course list for availability. Additionally, you can contact the RLSS who can advise on courses available nationally.

If you are a health club, spa operator, school, swim school, swimming club or other similar organisation and are looking for a First Responder (Pool) course for your staff please contact us for details.

 

Where can I get more help with my Lifeguarding requirements?

DutyMet can help with all aspects of your Lifeguarding requirements including: an assessment of your lifeguarding needs, delivery of all related lifeguarding courses, and provision of on-going training and assessment. For more information, contact us today.