National Lifesaving Academy
Their aim is to teach candidates how to stay safe around water and how to safely assist others who may have gotten into difficulty in both aquatic and non-aquatic situations.
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The awards are structured to teach foundational skills and then progressively build up the candidate’s skills. On achieving the Bronze
Medallion level of award, the candidate receives Recognition of Prior Learning hours towards the RLSS UK vocational lifeguard qualifications.
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The awards are structured into three levels (Bronze Lifesaving Certificate, Bronze Star, and Bronze Medallion), and multiple environmental strands are available at the Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion levels.
The three award strands are as follows:
• Pool – completed in the swimming pool
• Open Water – completed preferably in non-tidal, inland open water sites
• Beach – completed on the coast
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The Bronze Lifesaving Certificate is designed to teach new lifesavers the basics of staying safe in or around water. It provides the candidate with basic water safety knowledge, basic aquatic lifesaving skills, basic CPR, and basic First Aid.
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The two subsequent award levels are divided into three sections (Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion):
• Lifesaving Theory
• Lifesaving Survival and Rescue Skills
• CPR, AED & First Aid
Candidates will need to complete and pass all sections before moving on to the next award. Upon successfully completing the assessment, candidates will receive either a certificate or an e-certificate and medal depending on the award level.
These awards also cover the swimming requirements for GCSE PE as well as Physical, Volunteering or Skill sections of the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Stages of the Programme
One of the key factors of the new programme is the clear pathway from Rookie to Lifeguard. Rookies can easily transition into the new programme, as can new candidates to lifesaving through the accessible and challenging Bronze Lifesaving Certificate.
The National Lifesaving Academy provides the opportunity to test skills in a number of environments and ultimately progress through a pathway to be part of the next generation of pool, beach and open water lifeguards.
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Lifesaving candidates may choose to master their skills in one environment, or they may chose to develop in all three environments. Progression through the awards includes developing life support in every award. After achieving a medallion in a strand, lifesavers will have developed expert skills and abilities, and will be able to remove 7 hours of teaching from the respective lifeguard qualification - either NPLQ, NVBLQ or OWL.
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Following the completion of a Medallion, candidates can chose to take the National Lifesaving Academy Distinction.
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The Distinction award
The highest achievement within the RLSS UK National Lifesaving Academy programme is the Distinction award. This is awarded to candidates who achieve any single Bronze Medallion award and, with the 24-month validity period, also attain an Assistant/Instructor award or a minimum of thirty hours of volunteering or relevant work experience.
