First Aid Edinburgh
  • Home
  • On-Site training
  • First Aid Courses
    • First Aid at Work
    • Emergency First Aid
    • Paediatric First Aid
    • Emergency Paediatric
    • Anaphalaxis Management
    • AED
  • Pool Rescue Courses
    • NPLQ
    • SPERA
    • NRASTC
    • ATPRA
  • Abous Us
  • More
    • Home
    • On-Site training
    • First Aid Courses
      • First Aid at Work
      • Emergency First Aid
      • Paediatric First Aid
      • Emergency Paediatric
      • Anaphalaxis Management
      • AED
    • Pool Rescue Courses
      • NPLQ
      • SPERA
      • NRASTC
      • ATPRA
    • Abous Us
First Aid Edinburgh
  • Home
  • On-Site training
  • First Aid Courses
    • First Aid at Work
    • Emergency First Aid
    • Paediatric First Aid
    • Emergency Paediatric
    • Anaphalaxis Management
    • AED
  • Pool Rescue Courses
    • NPLQ
    • SPERA
    • NRASTC
    • ATPRA
  • Abous Us

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

About

Lifeguard Course Prerequisites

Lifeguard Course Prerequisites

  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. 

The NPLQ covers all elements of Pool Rescue Techniques, Lifeguarding T

  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. 

The NPLQ covers all elements of Pool Rescue Techniques, Lifeguarding Theory, First Aid and CPR. The 5 day 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 for the NPLQ are in three sections, and candidates must successfully pass all to attain the qualification. 

Lifeguard Course Prerequisites

Lifeguard Course Prerequisites

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 t

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

Assessment

How To Book

How To Book

Asessment for the NPLQ takes place at the end of the course. It determines your knowledge and understanding of the principles of working as a pool lifeguard and assesses your ability to apply the skills and knowledge in a work-related environment.

The assessment is split into three sections:

  • Practical pool assessment
  • Theory Assessment for all three sections
  • Practical First Aid & CPR assessment

How To Book

How To Book

How To Book

If you are part of a facility with a swimming pool, get in touch at info.firstaidedinburgh.co.uk to arrage for one of our trainers to deliver on-site training. 


Alternatively, we can run the course for you at one of our partner swimming pools in Edinburgh. 

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

First Aid Edinburgh

info@firstaidedinburgh.co.uk

  • Emergency First Aid
  • Paediatric First Aid
  • Emergency Paediatric
  • Anaphalaxis Management
  • AED
  • Privacy Policy

First Aid Edinburgh

info@firstaidedinburgh.co.uk

Copyright © 2025 First Aid Edinburgh - All Rights Reserved.

Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept