Theory which will include a series of lectures

BLS which will include CPR, AED, choking and Recovery Position

Water Work which will include a series of in water rescues and land based rescues

National Pool Lifeguard Certification is awarded at either of two levels.


Level 1 certificates are awarded to those who are judged to be competent to supervise swimming pools or sections of a swimming facility, where the water depth does not exceed 1.5m.

Level 2 certificates are awarded to those who are judged to be competent to supervise areas of water in a swimming facility where depths are greater than 1.5m.

Be able to swim 100 metres on front (prone) and 100 metres on back (supine).
Be able to surface dive and recover an object from the deepest part of the pool.

· Be 16 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.

Successful completion of the Water Safety Ireland Pool Lifeguard course leads to an accredited certificate from Water Safety Ireland which is valid for 2 years. A refresher Water Safety Ireland Pool Lifeguard Course (12 hours) is needed before your certificate goes out of date (Please see our pool lifeguard refresher course).

National Pool Lifeguard Award Accredited by Water Safety Ireland.

National Pool Lifeguard Award

The units cover the theory and practical skill of water testing, as well as key principles of pool plant operations and maintenance. The course is predominantly classroom based with exception of the practical task of performing a pool water test.

The following units are covered within this qualification:

Designed to enable learners to understand the basic principles of the treatment of swimming pool water.

STA Level 2 Award in Pool Water Treatment

The NPLQ covers all elements of Pool Rescue Techniques, Lifeguarding Theory, First Aid and CPR. The 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 is in three sections and all must be successfully passed to attain the qualification.

Swimming Pool, Hazards and Control Measures

Rescue of a Casualty with a Suspected Spinal Injury

Every candidate attending a NPLQ course must be 16-years-old at the time of taking the NPLQ final assessment and be able to:

Swim 100 metres continuously on front and back in deep water

Climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design permits

Successful completion of the pool lifeguard course leads to an accredited national pool lifeguard certificate from the Royal Lifesaving Society which is valid for 2 years. A refresher pool lifeguard course (20 hours) is needed before your certificate goes out of date (Please see our pool lifeguard refresher course.

RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification

Health and Safety

Fire Safety

Upcoming Courses

E - Learning

Swimming Pool

First Aid

The Well Being of the First Aid Responder

Successful completion of the first aid response course leads to an accredited certification. Recertification in First Aid Response is required every 2 years which takes 2 days in duration.

Our First Aid Response Renewal course is certified by Qualtec (PHECC recognised institution).

First Aid Response Renewal

Our First Aid Response course is certified by Qualtec (PHECC recognised institution).

First Aid Response

Must have a RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Award still in date by the      end of the course. 

 of full RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Course to revalidate certificate.

Successful completion of the pool lifeguard course leads to an accredited national pool lifeguard certificate from the Royal Lifesaving Society which is valid for 2 years. A refresher pool lifeguard course (20 hours) is needed before your certificate goes out of date.

NPLQ Pool Lifeguard Revalidation Course RLSS.

National Pool Lifeguard Award

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