POOL LIFEGUARDS

Purpose

This course will equip candidates with the skills and knowledge required to supervise swimming pool users. The course focus includes pool surveillance, scanning techniques, rescue skills, oxygen resuscitation and emergency care.

Target Audience

This course is recommended for any person wishing to achieve employment as a lifeguard in the aquatic industry and is a required qualification for staff in this position. It is also recommended for those involved in aquatic exercise, swim coaching or those who are responsible for the supervision and safety of people in and around swimming pools. Attendants of all types of swimming pools, whether in Club, Resorts, Hotels or Housing Societies.

Course Content

The Pool Lifeguard course 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 is in three sections:

1 – The Lifeguard and the Law, Swimming Pool Supervision
The Lifeguard and the Law
Swimming Pool, Hazards and Control Measures
Swimming Pool Supervision

2 – Intervention and Rescue and Emergency Action Plans
Intervention and Rescue
Rescue of a Casualty with a Suspected Spinal Injury
Emergency Action Plan

3 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, AED and First Aid
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
First Aid
Automated External Defibrillation (AED)

Assessment at the end of the course determines knowledge and understanding of the principles of working as a pool lifeguard and assesses ability to apply the skills and knowledge in a work-related environment. The assessment is split into three sections:

Practical pool assessment

Deep Water Retrieval Test – ability to retrieve an object from the deepest water within the aquatic environment

Lift Test – ability to lift a swimmer out of the water (using appropriate manual handing procedures)

Rescue Test – 25 metre swim / 25 metre non-contact tow in less than 1 minute and 45 seconds

Spinal Injury Management

Rescue Response Initiatives

Tread water for 30 seconds

Theory Assessment – verbal question and answer session with the assessor

Practical First Aid & CPR assessment