If you have any general questions about becoming a pool lifeguard please look through our FAQs first before contacting us.

This is the assessment syllabus for the 7th Edition (first revision) National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (correct as for September 2006).

There are a number of additional skills which will be trained on your course, but are not formally assessed. 

Rookies is a great way for kids to learn lifesaving skills while having fun and keeping fit at the same time.

With a weekly pool session and beach training in the summer, NSVL can offer the full range of activities for our younger lifesavers from age 6 upwards.

Rookies is the perfect training ground for our lifeguards of the future and also provides opportunities to get into lifesaving competitions.

We also have regular social events for the whole family, from pizza nights to pantomimes and bowling trips to barbecues.

Rookies in brief...

• A lifesaving club for children
  
• Fun pool sessions, with trips to the beach in the summer
• Perfect springboard into Lifesaving Sport and becoming a lifeguard
• Great social events for all the family!

Due to the high demand for places, a waiting list is now in operation for new Rookies and Youth Lifesavers.

We usually take in a limited number of new Rookies at the start of each school term, with a larger intake in the summer ready for the autumn term.  All new Rookies will be swim tested before being offered a space.

Our minimum entry age is 6-years-old, however the new Rookie programme is aimed at age 8+, therefore children under 8 will join our Nippers section where their swimming standard will be brought up to Stage 7 of the ASA National Plan For Teaching Swimming before joining the main Rookie group.   These sessions run for 30 minutes from 5.30 and 6.00pm on Saturday evenings.  If you wish to register your child for these classes then please tick the box.

Children under 6 years of age can be put on the waiting list but will not be considered for places until their 6th birthday.

Listed below are Pool Lifeguard courses running in the coming months. Please note: These are external courses, not run by or associated with NSVL in any way and as a result NSVL cannot take responsibility for any aspect of the course. Please click here for further information on advertising courses.

For all courses, the following pre-requisites apply:

• At least 16 years of age prior to commencing training
• Be able to jump/dive into deep water
• Swim 100m continuously on front and back in deep water, then tread water for 30 seconds
• Surface dive to the floor at the deepest part of the pool
• Climb out of the pool unaided without ladder/steps

The courses lead to the full National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (Units 1 and 2) recognised across the UK and valid for two years from the date of assessment. For more information about becoming a pool lifeguard please visit the other pages in this section.

To register to receive e-mail updates from this training provider, please submit the form at the bottom of this page.

If you have come to this page direct from a search engine, please click here to go to the other pages in this section to find out more information about Pool Lifeguarding.

• Courses in London

• Courses in North East England

• Courses in North West England
  

We always welcome qualified lifeguards into the club, wherever you initially completed your training.

You must undertake regular training throughout the 2-year validity of your qualification (HSE recommends that this includes at least 1 hour CPR training per month).

NSVL qualified trainers are always available to supervise training, log hours and arrange renewal assessments. Logged training will look good if you apply for jobs and is essential for you to renew your qualification.

Issue 3.1 (revised summer 2006)

The following is the assessment syllabus for the Beach Lifeguard Qualification. It is designed to test your knowledge and skills on the whole syllabus, however the syllabus of skills taught is broader than the actual assessment.

The qualification is in two main units + specialist add on units:

• Unit 1 - Principles of beach supervision and rescue
• Unit 2 - The application of beach safety management and rescue procedures
• Specialist Unit - Rescue Paddle Craft (primarily use of rescue boards, but rescue skis, malibu boards, canoes and rowing boats can also be taught).

Courses are listed below, if you would like to speak to someone in person or get a taster, then why not come down on a Saturday afternoon?

Our main sessions are at our Headquarters on the Central Lower Promenade, Whitley Bay from 12.30-4.30pm and then at Tynemouth Pool from 6.30-7.30pm on a Saturday evening. Please check the 'Upcoming' panel above to see what sessions are on in the coming weeks.

If you have come to this page direct from a search engine, please click here to go to the other pages in this section to find out more information about Beach Lifeguarding.

This programme should be followed for 4 weeks working on swimming 2-3 times a week (or more if possible).

You should test your time at the beginning of the programme and then at the end. You may do each segment on its own or add them all together in one session depending on your fitness level and ability.

These drills assume that you have a reasonable swimming technique in the first place. For some tips on improving your swimming technique go to the BBC Sports Acadamy.