INVOLVED IN LIFEGUARD TRAINING? THEN GET YOUR COPY OF THE DEFINITIVE MANAGEMENT TOOL

The Qualified Lifeguard’s
Induction and Ongoing Training Manual

ISRM’s latest definitive training guide includes:

• Guidance for the manager / lifeguard trainer
• Records for individual lifeguards
• Ideas for adding value to the training process
• CD-ROM containing templates of all key record forms
• Sample 12 week induction programme
• Step by step two year ongoing training programme meeting HSG179 guidance.

Download an order form for the manual (PDF)

Are you aware of your legal responsibility to provide training?

As managers we know that keeping up with current legislation is a huge challenge in itself and the provision of regular, quality training sessions for all staff is an essential part of meeting this challenge.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place a number of duties on the employer as regards the provision of training, namely:

• Take account of an employees capabilities as regards health and safety.
• Ensure employees are provided with adequate health and safety training: On recruitment, during the induction programme and if exposed to new or increased risk through change.

Significantly, training shall be repeated where appropriate, adapted to take account of change and shall take place during working hours.

In addition, guidance in the Regulations further recommends that:

• Training be directly linked to the outcome of a risk assessment to ensure that it is appropriate to and forms an integral part of the process of risk management and reduction.
• Training be repeated where it is likely that skill levels will decline over a period of time such as has been shown to be the case with a number of lifesaving skills.

Why does the industry need an induction and ongoing training manual?

Following the implementation of the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) 7th edition it has been increasingly apparent that the induction and ongoing training of lifeguards once in the workplace needs greater emphasis, broadening in its concept and clarification of its purpose. Obtaining the NPLQ 7th edition is merely the first stage of being an effective and efficient lifeguard – a comprehensive induction process and ongoing training for the two years leading up to renewal of the qualification should be regarded as a natural progression. This manual is written to provide guidance on the recommendations for training and how this process should take place. It is based on what the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) considers to be ‘best practice’ and has been written by experts working operationally with lifeguards.

STRUCTURE OF THE MANUAL

Section 1 – guidance for the manager / lifeguard trainer

This section provides a comprehensive resource for you as a manager and for those responsible for training your lifeguards including:

• CD-ROM containing templates of all key record forms
• Sample 12 week induction programme
• Step by step two year ongoing training programme meeting HSG179 guidance

Section 2 – records for individual lifeguards

This section gives guidance to the lifeguard outlining the induction process and provides the record forms to enable them to build up their own portfolio of evidence about their induction and ongoing training. Sample forms are enclosed for ease of use, both in hard copy format or on a handy CD-ROM in a Microsoft Word file.

Section 3 – supplementary information

Provides supplementary information and details of different swimming activities and products, which can be used to enhance training sessions and raise awareness.

Trainers can also enhance this section with details of programmes and events in their own organisation.

Improve your customer care

Well trained, knowledgeable staff will provide a far more positive environment for the customer to the extent that they can be your best sales team! Swimmers who have enjoyed their visit and have been encouraged to enjoy it because of the positive attitude of your staff are far more likely to return.

To view a sample of the ongoing training guidance text included in the manual click here (PDF 72KB)

To view a sample form from the continuing competency assessment records click here (PDF 56KB)

Download an order form for the manual (PDF)

How this new manual relates to ‘The Pool Lifeguard’ video training pack ISRM’s highly successful video training pack – ‘The Pool Lifeguard’ is already in use across the UK, but fulfils a very different role to the new manual, which sits one level above ‘The Pool Lifeguard’ in a professional training continuum, in that it would specify the overall framework of what training should be included, and how this is structured and delivered. The new resource is aimed specifically at the effective induction and ongoing training of already qualified lifeguards, rather than those starting out in the industry. ‘The Pool Lifeguard’, on the other hand, indicates the specific training content which needs to be covered for both those undergoing initial lifeguard training, and refreshing the skills of those who have already qualified.