Many people who become proficient lifesavers go on to become full time lifeguards at swimming pools and the beach. They work under contract. Depending where you work, lifeguarding can be great fun. You meet a lot of people and watch them have a good time. You can also help and teach them about sun protection and water safety.

Since this is a qualification for employment, many health and safety rules apply that require professional training beyond what we could offer on this web site. Ask your national lifesaving organisation for training details.

Pool lifeguards find work all year round, but it can get a bit boring at times. Beach lifeguard work may be seasonal, but can be more challenging.

Please contact your local club for current course prices or if you have any questions that are not covered on this page.

Beach lifeguards provide a patrolling presence on beaches and other stretches of open water. They carry specific rescue equipment which they have been trained to use and which is appropriate to the place that they are working.

Beach lifeguards may also have to deal with drunks and drug users, but their main role is often to provide basic local safety knowledge to users of their beach.

The kinds of rescue that they perform often call for stamina and endurance rather than just speed. Beach lifeguards work in association with other organisations, such as the HM Coastguard, RAF Search and Rescue, local Ambulance services, the RNLI and so on.

They rarely work alone. Most beaches would be too complex to do so and this would place them in immediate danger themselves, so they are trained to act as part of a team.

Beach Lifeguard Qualification

The National Beach Lifeguard Qualification (in Britain) requires a minimum of 32 hours training for a new candidate, although exemptions may apply to holders of the following awards:

A current Bronze Medallion or higher award: 12 hours
A Life Support 3 Award: 6 hours
A First Aid at work Qualification: 9 hours


Regardless of current qualifications you may not be awarded more than 12 hours off the stipulated minimum of 32 hours.

1. You must be 16 years old or above to train as a Beach Lifeguard.
2. You must be able to attend weekly evening theory sessions or a week long course.
3. You must take the Life Support 3 award. This is an RLSS qualification and is the highest Life Support award.

   The various open water qualifications available include the National Beach Lifeguard, Assistant Beach Lifesaver, Emergency Response Outdoor Activity for Supervisors and the Bronze and Silver Crosses.

   The Emergency Response Outdoor Activity for Supervisors is a test of competence in accident prevention, Water Rescue and Life Support for those overseeing others at a recognised site used for activities in or near open water.

   The Assistant Beach Lifesaving Award is carried out by an RLSS Beach Trainer Assessor and registered through the local RLSS Branch Manager. A Lifesaving Trainer Assessor may conduct and assess three sections of this award or anyone with the Bronze Medallion would meet the criteria. However a Beach Trainer would conduct the Beach section.

   Candidates renewing the National Beach Qualification must adhere to 20 hours of ongoing training, covering the complete range of skills over a two year period. Where training records are not produced the assessment will not take place.

Pool lifeguards work in enclosed water like swimming pools and waterparks. They are trained to use specific equipment according to their situation.

They will generally have to rescue people who got into difficulties because of their limited skills/confidence or who have suffered from a medical problem.

When they act, they do so as members of a team and they do so over very short distances. Most pool rescues should involve a swim of less than 15 metres.

Other tasks include looking after bather's comfort and entertainment, or tidying the floats and other toys. They may need to hop into the pool a few times each day to sort things out.

Pool Lifeguard Qualification

The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification requires a minimum of 31 hours for unit 1 and 7 hours for unit 2 for a new candidate, although exemptions may apply to holders of the following awards.

A current Bronze Medallion or higher award: 12 hours
A Life Support 3 Award: 6 hours
A First Aid at work qualification: 9 hours


Regardless of current qualification a candidate may not be awarded more than 12 hours off the stipulated minimum of 31 hours for Unit 1.

1. You must be 16 years old or above to train to be a Pool Lifeguard.

2. If you are 16 years old or around that age we recommend taking the Bronze Medallion qualification and Life Support 3 before you start your pool lifeguard training.

3. The purchase of a RLSS Pool Lifeguard manual is necessary. It includes:
   1. the manual
   2. a form for completion after assessment and
   3. the cost of the assessment itself

   The Pool Lifeguard training sessions will be carried out by an RLSS Pool Trainer Assessor. An external Assessor will conduct and assess the final Assessment.

   Candidates renewing the National Pool Qualification must adhere to 20 hours of ongoing training covering the complete range of skills over a two year period. Where training records are not produced the assessment will not take place.

   
   Some people think lifeguarding is just a laid back job.