Awarding Organisation:
RLSS UK
Entry Requirements:
Every candidate attending an Open Water Lifeguard course must:
Be 16 years old or over at the time of assessment.
Be competent and confident in jumping and diving into deep open water.
Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/open water, swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency.
Be able to submerge under the water confidently.
No prior first aid knowledge is required.
Training:
At least 18 hours over a minimum of three days, followed by assessment.
About this Qualification
The Open Water Lifeguard qualification equips lifeguards with the skills to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised, and risk-assured activities in still, non-tidal water.
The OWL course is delivered over a minimum of 3 days and covers a range of CPR, first aid, and open water skills.
The OWL course is at least 18 hours long and followed by a practical and theory assessment. The OWL qualification is a non-regulated.
Upon qualifying with the Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification, the certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of successful completion.
Course Content
The Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification 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 that are still, non-tidal.
The candidate manual and trainer resources help the Open Water Lifeguard Trainer Assessor deliver through the 3 sections:
Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision
Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action
Section 3 - CPR and first aid
New candidates: 18 hours + assessment
Renewal candidates: 10 hours + assessment
Assessment
The OWL assessment takes place at the end of the course. It determines your competence, skills and knowledge of working as an open water lifeguard and assesses your ability to apply them in an open water environment.
The assessment is split into 4 elements and includes both theory and practical assessment methods:
Open Water Lifeguard Theory
Life Support and First Aid Theory
First Aid Practical
Open Water Skills Practical
What to Bring
Suggested joining instructions: suitable outdoor clothing, spare warm layers, footwear and any required water equipment. Confirm the venue kit list before attendance.