National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualifcation

The major awarding bodies (RLSS UK and SLSA Wales) now present a national standard for beach lifeguarding. The qualification is endorsed by the National Water Safety Forum and the RNLI, so a basis to gain employment as a lifeguard.

It also complies with the International Life Saving Federation beach competency framework. The NVBLQ course is a minimum of 40 hours long followed by a practical assessment on beach theory, life support, first aid, swimming pool practical and open water practical.

Upon qualifying with the NVBLQ, the certificate is valid for two years from the date of successful completion.

NVBLQ Course Pre-Requisites:

Every candidate attending a NVBLQ course must:

Be 16-years-old or over at the time of the assessment
Have a good level of fitness
Surface dive to a depth of 1.5 metres
Tread water for two minutes
Climb out of deep water unaided and without steps
Be competent at swimming in the sea
Be able to swim 400m in less than eight minutes
Swim 100m on the front, 100m on the back and 200m in less than four minutes

During the course you will learn about beach lifeguard theory, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, pool skills and open water skills. The course is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times and lifting. Each of these is a separate module and at the end of the course the assessment covers all four elements.

Hastings Voluntary Lifeguards regularly run courses for the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification.

The club has a number of very experienced beach lifeguard trainers and a huge amount of beach lifeguarding experience, both as volunteers and as employed lifeguards. Our trainers are well qualified, skilled, experts in their field with the ability to encourage, inspire and develop future lifeguards.

For more information then contact us.