The Royal Life Saving Society UK's (RLSS UK) NPLQ is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the UK and Ireland and is also internationally recognised. Over 40,000 lifeguards qualify with the RLSS UK pool lifeguard course every year, and there are currently more than 75,000 lifeguards qualified in the NPLQ.
NPLQ is regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland.
Lifeguard Course Prerequisites
Every candidate attending a National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) course must be 16-years-old or above at the time of taking the NPLQ final assessment and be able to:
Jump/dive into deep water
Swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds
Swim 100 metres continuously on front and back
In deep water, tread water for 30 seconds
Surface dive to the floor of the pool
Climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design permits