Our Open Water Lifeguard Qualification courses are available for everyone with open water experience and also for qualified lifeguards.

Courses run from April through to October.

The Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification has been developed by the Royal Life Saving Society UK to address the role of open water lifeguards and the needs of open water operators. This growing industry continues and RLSS UK have endeavoured to respond to change through the ongoing development of this qualification. The OWL qualification can be used to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still, non-tidal water.

The Open Water Lifeguard qualification enables candidates with no previous lifeguard experience to become qualified.

By attaining this qualification candidates will have been assessed as competent to provide supervision and rescue cover for planned, organised and risk-assessed activities in open water still, non-tidal.

The Open Water Lifeguard Qualification, delivered over three days, is valid for two years and is independently assessed.

The candidate manual and trainer resources help the Open Water Lifeguard Trainer Assessor deliver through the three sections:

OWL COURSE CRITERIA

Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision

Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action

Section 3 - CPR and First Aid

New candidates: 18hrs + Assessment

Renewal candidates: 10hrs + Assessment

OWL PRE-REQUISITES:

Must be 16 years of age at the date of assessment

Be able to meet the following criteria: 

Confident in open water

Able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency

Able to submerge under the water confidently

Must complete minimum guided learning hours

Successfully complete the course assessment

RPL

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of recognising a candidate’s previous achievement towards part of a qualification. 

RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) candidates that hold this certification can attend a one-day RPL OWL qualification course and will be externally assessed. Once successfully obtained the OWL qualification can be used as a standalone qualification to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still, non-tidal water.

The RPL Open Water Lifeguard Qualification, delivered over one day, is valid for two years and is independently assessed. 

The candidate manual and trainer resources help the Open Water Lifeguard Trainer Assessor deliver through the two sections:

Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision

Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action

RPL New candidates: 7hrs + Assessment

Pre-requisites:

Must hold a current RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ).

Be able to meet the following criteria: 

Confident in open water

Able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency

Able to submerge under the water confidently

Must complete minimum guided learning hours

Successfully complete the course assessment

*Where candidates wish to claim a training exemption, they must provide the course trainer with original qualifications prior to the start of the course.

A maximum of 11 hours accreditation for prior learning may be claimed.

RENEWAL OWL CANDIDATES

10 hours monthly/CPD training hours are required as evidence before an assessment can be organised, a valid current certificate and photo ID.

*If you have any requirements and considerations please let us know prior to the course.