BEACH LIFEGUARD COURSE
GET YOUR BEACH LIFEGUARD QUALIFICATION WITH SURFING CROYDE BAY. MAKE THE FIRST STEP TO BECOMING A BEACH LIFEGUARD!
Two governing bodies offer two different types of beach lifeguard qualifications, SLSGB and RLSS.
SLSGB is the preferred qualification by the RNLI. Surfing Croyde Bay offers you the chance to train as a beach lifeguard and gain the SLSGB Surf Lifeguard course qualification.
What is the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification?
The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification is a new type of beach lifeguard course. The course aims to develop a new national standard for beach lifeguarding. The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), Surf Life Saving Association (SLSA) Wales, and Surf Life Saving (SLS) GB have got together to create one programme designed to improve beach safety standards throughout the UK.
BEACH
LIFEGUARD
QUALIFICATION
Who endorses the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ)?
The National Water Safety Forum and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) endorse the NVBLQ.
Who recognises the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification?
RLSS UK, SLS GB, SLSA Wales all recognise the NVBLQ as the national standard for vocational beach lifeguarding.
What is involved when taking the NVBLQ beach lifeguard course?
You’ll spend at least 40 hours on the course. You will take part in a practical assessment of beach theory, life support, first aid, open water, and pool swimming.
Your course has four core modules:
- Module 1 – Beach Lifeguarding – Knowledge and Understanding
- Module 2 – Life Support and First Aid
- Module 3– Ocean Skils
- Module 4 – Pool Skills
The course is physically demanding, and you will be tested on swimming set distances in set times as well as lifting weights on the beach.
How long does the NVBLQ qualification last?
The certificate is valid for two years.
What are the NVBLQ pre-requisites?
- You must be at least 16-years-old or over at the time of the assessment.
- You must be generally fit.
- You must be able to surface dive to a depth of 1.5 metres.
- You must be able to tread water for two minutes.
- You must be able to climb out of deep water unaided and without steps.
- You must be competent at swimming in the open ocean.
- You must be able to swim 200m in a pool in under 5 minutes.
- You should have had experience paddling a surfboard or paddleboard.
NVBLQ
PREREQUISITES
What do I need to do to pass the NVBLQ?
You must be able to swim 400 metres in a pool in eight minutes or less using a continuous front stroke with urgency.
You are assessed on the following:
- Beach Lifeguard and First Aid Theory
- Life Support and First Aid
- First Aid Practical
- Ocean Skills
- Pool Skills
You must be able to demonstrate your ability to apply the theoretical and practical skills above in a beach environment.