The Institute of Sport and Recreation Management
RLSS (UK) National Pool Lifeguard Qualification - Unit 2
Frequently asked questions
Following retraining of trainer assessers for unit 2 of the 7th edition a number of questions were raised. Some of these relate to the new award directly and some relate to the general lifeguarding. Below are the answers to the questions raised. If you have any further questions please send these in to Julie by email: julieblackshaw@isrm.co.uk and we will include them where appropriate on this page. Hopefully this will help you in your role as trainer assessors.
1. Do lifeguards need to have chest X-rays every 2 years?
All managers should carry out risk assessments relating to any risks that a lifeguard may be exposed to including any exposure to chemicals. It would be very rare that exposure to chemicals should necessitate a chest X-ray and the more advisable route would be to remove the risk by reducing any exposure.
A COSHH assessment should be carried out and steps taken to ensure that staff adhere to risk reduction measures when working with chemicals.
2. Can people begin training as lifeguards before they are 16?
The new requirement of the Unit 1 is that people cannot register until they are 16 as the qualification has been applied to the 16-19 and 19+ age groups. Vocational qualifications are not open to the under 16's.
3. Do unit 2 T.A.'s need to register training for each site they are training at?
As the qualification is now generic then there is no need to register specific sites. One trainer assessor can deliver both units as long as they have attended the appropriate training/updating.
4. Will ISRM consider a specific membership for unit 2 T.A's?
All unit 2 T.A's are eligible to join ISRM as associate members. This currently cost £105 per year.
5. Can it be enforced that all Unit 2 T.A's have to join ISRM?
Not at present but ISRM would encourage all Unit 2 T.A's to become members because of the many benefits membership has to offer.
6. How will we prove competence of candidates if we don't carry out written testing?
We are delivering knowledge to candidates and as such our way of testing that knowledge should be in the best interests of the candidate and asking questions and practical demonstrations is the method chosen for unit 2. It is the responsibility of the Trainer Assessor to record the results of this on the assessment matrix. Oral questioning, so long as it is done in accordance with an agreed syllabus and by people who have been trained in that aspect of assessment is a perfectly valid method.
7. What is the minimum recommended training time for lifeguards over the 2 year period?
MHSSP recommends the following:
- Safe operation of pools generally requires the deployment of lifeguards. It is the responsibility of the pool operator to ensure that they are sufficient in number, adequately trained, effectively organised and diligent in their duties.
- Under the MHSWR 1999, pool operators will need to assess the capacities of their staff and ensure they are adequately trained for the duties they carry out. It is good practice to maintain written records for all training sessions which include: names of those involved; what they did, including use of equipment; and length of training sessions. Such records can be kept manually or held on computer.
- All lifeguards need to be effectively trained to enable them to carry out their role and tasks efficiently and for the health, safety and welfare of all in their charge. Their duties should be suitably restricted and supervised until the necessary competence has been acquired.
- There are a number of ways to ensure that employees receive adequate training and instruction such as on-the-job training and attendance at courses. Effective training will mean a firm base of knowledge and skills application which might reasonably be attributed to the needs of swimming pools in general, and in addition site-specific training which seeks to develop in the lifeguard a full understanding of the PSOP and facilities of a particular pool and how they should be used.
- To maintain the skills and competency of a lifeguard, suitable and sufficient training and competency assessment should be conducted regularly ('regularly' means as required to suit the circumstances of the pool and sufficient to maintain competency.
- For example, medical authorities recommended that training in CPR takes place at least monthly) by qualified training staff and will need to include:
- A fitness programme to include timed swims and towing and rescue methods;
- Simulated incident training, working in a team, based on the site-specific EAP;
- A dive to the bottom of the deepest part of the pool to recover a simulated casualty (manikin);
- The use of poolside rescue equipment;
- Revisions to the PSOP due to changed circumstances;
- Refresher training in supervision and scanning techniques.
- Records of the training undertaken and the objectives achieved for each individual should be maintained and be available for inspection by an authorised person.
- Ongoing, regular, suitable and sufficient training and assessment should ensure the competency of lifeguards. This should be supplemented by a two-yearly, external test of core or foundation skills, given by a suitably competent person and provided as a means of assuring the authenticity and appropriateness of the ongoing training programme.
Blue stripe recommends regularly as at least once a month. ISRM's new training and induction manual recommends 60 hours over 2 years. Point out that MHSSP also suggests, using CPR as the example, that at least once a month is a realistic starting point.
8. Can a Unit 2 TA self certify her/himself?
No, this is not advisable - it would be the subject of the closest scrutiny in the event of any post-incident investigation.
9. Can we find a mechanism for keeping all Unit 2 TA's updated with current issues?
The current licences to deliver is for 2 years at the conclusion of that a decision will be made how best to update T/A's However the best way to keep updated on current information is through membership of ISRM, looking at websites and attending relevant seminars and regional meetings.
The Institute also runs regular seminars on a wide range of related subjects, details of which are sent to all members.
10. Do guidelines exist for the use of pools by unaccompanied children over 8 year of age?
There are no specific guidelines as all pools vary however each pool operator should have a Normal Operating Procedure based upon the risk of the pool.12. Does the whole award have to be completed within 6 months as this causes a problem for schools and colleges?
We actually can't specify a period as we haven't as part of the QCA approval. However it is important to try and obtain the full qualification within a 6 month period.
11. Are lifeguards qualified to stand on the poolside if they've just done the foundation module?
This depends very much on your normal operating procedure, however it should be considered that the full qualification contains unit 2 and there is no part qualification from the 1st January 2004. It is recommended that all NPLQ 6th edition foundation module qualified lifeguards undertake the 7 hrs of unit 2 as soon as possible. No lifeguard can renew with just the foundation module so the full 7th Edition award must be undertaken.
Unit 1 has never represented a full qualification and RLSS UK has never supported the use of it as such. "The NPLQ comprises two Units; both must be successfully assessed before a lifeguard can be regarded as qualified".
12. Can all Unit 1 T.A's become unit 2 T.A's?
No they have to meet pre set criteria
13. Why is the award still separated into 2 units?
"To meet the guidance published by The HSE in 'Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools' and in accordance with the endorsement of the qualification by the Government's Qualifications and Curriculum Authority".
14. Why is the timed swim still deemed so important?
The timed swims represent a realistic test of basic fitness to do the job. Original trials were measured against known physiological demands, as best we could, and still come as close as we can to a realistic assessment of applied fitness.
15. How do we make managers aware of their legal responsibilities and their responsibilities towards the provision of staff training?
By bringing attention to relevant documents i.e. MHSIP, Health and safety legislation, industry best practice, unfortunately by raising awareness of fatalities.
16. If something happens, who is responsible?
The manager and the organisation will carry ultimate responsibility, but it will depend on the incident and who has been deemed negligent. Lifeguards may be held responsible particularly if there is the possibility of negligence.
Recent judgements have found against the individual lifeguard.
17. How can we ensure training happens?
Providing a sound training plan which covers all aspects of the renewal of the award is important encouraging attendance at training sessions is often a problem and it is important that we recognise the changing needs of staff with regard to training and deliver training in a far less formal manner. This has been extensively discussed at the update sessions and lots of good practice shown.
Trainers need to try be a little more inventive and enthuse about what they do. Training needs to be promoted and recognised as being good for business and not a necessary evil.
18. Is training available about flumes etc?
Guidance is given in our publication, specific training could be organised if required. ISRM produce a manual called 'Waterslides - a code of practice for their safe operation, priced £20.00.22. Is evidence still required for E.V.s and I.V.s in writing
"The Approved Training Centre Operations Manual which will be re-published in 2004, in an edition revised to take account of the NPLQ 7th edition, will set out the 'records' requirement"
19. How does standards training account towards APL?
The site manager of the site where the lifeguard has applied has the duty to inspect any training records of the lifeguard thus allowing APL to happen
The manager should cross reference what is in the syllabus of skills for NPLQ wit MHSSP and whatever is being presented as an alternative. It isn't the awarding body's or Institute's job to do other than offer advice.
20. How long do we keep training records for?
It is recommended they are kept for at least 7 years
21. If we train to become a new TA will it also cover Unit 2?
No, they will remain as 2 separate courses at present.
22. What guarantees are there that TAs have knowledge of that site?
They don't need specific knowledge of the site, this will be given by the induction carried out by someone deemed as competent by the manager. The delivery of the knowledge for unit 2 is supported by the material provided.
It is the employer's responsibility to provide induction and ongoing training and competency assessment, specific to the site".
23. If I take 6th Edition Unit 1 can I bolt on the 7th edition Unit 2?
Yes by completing the 7 hours of unit and sending through the new form available from the RLSS. The award will then be upgraded but will still expire on the date first given by the foundation module. This only applies for existing 6th edition Unit 1 holders.
The relevant form can be downloaded from the IQL website.
24. What has to be incorporated in the 20 hours ongoing training?
This is detailed in blue stripe and in MHSSP's. Our new manual will provide detailed content of what we consider to be best practice in terms of training.
Definition of Abbreviations
NOP - Normal operating plans
EAP - Emergency action plans
PSOP - Pool safety operating procedures
PPPE - Provision of personal protective equipment
PPE - Personal protective equipment
SSOW - Safe systems of work
HASAWA - Health and safety at work act
MoHsAW - Management of health and safety at work
H & S - Health and safety
COSHH - Control of substances hazardous to health
PAT - Portable appliance testing
No diving < 1.5m - no diving in depths less than 1.5m