The new 3rd. Edition Syllabus (August 2004)
is designed to determine the competence of anyone
engaged at any time in the role of a Beach Lifeguard or undergoing training
towards this role.
The Training and Assessment is not site
specific and reflects the generic knowledge and skills
following a course of training in Lifeguard Practices which shall include :
Physical Fitness; Self-discipline ; Safety Supervision; Teamwork ; Rescue Skills
and Techniques ; Use and
Maintenance of Rescue Equipment ; Beach Safety Operating Procedures. This
Initial Assessment is a measure of basic ability and should be followed by
regular in-service training at recognised open water recreational locations,
which must test competence to apply knowledge and skill in the 'operational'
environment. A written schedule of in-service training is essential.
Prior to attending a training course, it is
recommended that candidates should be able to swim 100 metres on the front, 100
metres on their back and also swim 200 metres in less than 4 minutes. Candidates
should be able to dive, without risk to your hearing, to a maximum depth of 2
metres. If you are unsure, then it would be appropriate to seek medical advice
with regard to diving to depths greater than 1.5 metres. Tread water for 2
minutes and climb out of deep water unaided and without using the steps.
Goggles may be worn during training but not
during assessment. Prior to attending a training course you should have a
reasonable swimming standard. A useful guide is to remember that you will be
required to swim 400 metres in a swimming pool within 8 minutes or less. It is
helpful if you have swimming skills in most strokes; but especially in front
crawl, side-stroke and inverted breast-stroke. You must be a minimum of 16
years of age.
You should bring alongsuitable and appropriate clothing for wear in the classroom.
Please remember you will be kneeling on the ground bending over manikins and
fellow candidates and suitable clothing is required to be worn by both males and
females. We suggest a polo shirt/ sweat shirt and tracksuit bottoms which is
considered NORMAL OPERATIONAL PATROL wear.
You should also have suitable footwear
for running and appropriate swim suit for the pool. Warm dry clothing and a complete change of
dry clothing are necessary for the beach section. A wetsuit may be worn
for Element E (Practical Assessment-Beach). A highly visible Lifeguard cap
or swim cap (yellow or red) must be worn at all times in Element E by both the
Candidates and Casualties. Any Candidates without such visible headgear WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to
enter the sea or take the assessment. If you have your own personal craft suitable for rescue, such as
a canoe or surfboard then you may bring it along. Other equipment will be
supplied on the course. This will include the current RLSS publication " Beach
Lifeguarding " and the "Life Support" booklet.
Unit 1
Principals of Beach Supervision and Rescue procedures.
Element A
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Water Safety,
Accident Prevention, Hazard Identification, Principals of Beach Safety
Procedures (NOP/EAP) Principals of Communication Systems, Principals and Methods
of Rescue, Observation and Zoning, Dealing with the Public, Use and Maintenance
of Basic Rescue Equipment.
Element B
CPR incorporating
Life Support 3 which includes adult, child and baby competence in CPR.
Demonstrate CPR with Barrier Rescue Breathing. Theory and Questions with a
Practical Demonstrations of all disciplines.
Element C
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of FIRST AID and
manage a First Aid incident.
Element D
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT POOL including a
demonstration of a number of your water skills and your water fitness. Swim 400
metres in 8 minutes or less. The 200 metres time will also be recorded.
Goggles may be worn for the timed swim only. If you are unsuccessful in
Element D you cannot move to Element F on the beach.
Element F
PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT BEACH will include
a number of rescues from the water to allow you to demonstrate your knowledge,
skills, fitness and ability to work as a Lifeguard Team member. It is sometimes
suggested that the most difficult test in this section is where you the
Candidate run 400 metres on land, with your torpedo buoy, enter the water, swim
200 metres to a conscious casualty and complete a return tow with the casualty
over 200 metres. On returning to the Beach treat the casualty for hypothermia
with the assistance of the Lifeguard Team.
Unit 2 Application of Beach Safety Management
and Rescue Procedures.
Unit 2 is intended to take the skills and knowledge
acquired during Unit 1 and put them into an applied environment that
relates to the specific nature and equipment of the venue at which the training
is being delivered. The Practical Assessment should include elements of
the NOP as well as the implementation of the EAP in dealing with an emergency.
In other words, it is your opportunity to demonstrate a
sound knowledge of your role, demonstrating a wide range of skills and utilising
equipment provided at the site. It is where you get to shine !!
Yes. There is a minimum of 32 contact hours
for a new candidate. Assessment time is in addition to training time. Full
attendance is mandatory. You will need all of it !
However if you hold certain other qualifications you may be awarded up to
12 hours exemption. Please ask for further details.
Your NBLQ is valid 24 months from the date shown on
the Candidate's Certificate. Unit 1 and Unit 2 should be concluded within 28
days of the final section of Unit 1 being successfully completed. The date on
the Certificate will be the Date of Completion of Unit 2.
Lifeguards renewing an existing valid
qualification should have been involved in continuous ongoing in-service
training (INSET) over 24 months totalling a minimum of 20 hours. Training must
cover the complete range of skills within the syllabus and be recorded in the
Operator's Records and the Candidate's CPD Record.
Yes !! The NBLQ is awarded by
the Institute of Qualified Lifeguards and is nationally and internationally
recognised and accepted as an essential basic standard of competence. It acts as a
passport to employment with local authorities, outdoor centres, beach operators
and holiday companies both here in Ireland and throughout the world. However, it
is prudent to remember that almost all employers will require you to
successfully complete their entrance assessment or tests before taking up
employment on their beach. This possibly will have 'site specific' element to
it. In all cases, you should check with the agency or employer in advance.
If you need information then contact LIFEGUARDS
IRELAND.
If you wish to book your place on a course contact one of the Beach Lifeguard
Training Units on our 'Courses'
page or complete your details on our 'Enquiry
Form' page.
Yes, we are pleased to publish the training
programme of Matt Cullen, Beach Lifeguard, Swimming Teacher and Fitness
Instructor. This programme is aimed to get you through the fitness test in the
swimming pool before you enter the ocean.
Timed Swim Training
Programme
This
programme should be followed for 4 weeks working on swimming 2-3 times a
week. 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.
Goggles are permitted for the timed swim part of the test, so wear them!
Although in open water you would be swimming with your head up, for the
timed swim you should be swimming front crawl with your face down and
breathing to the side.
It is also important to warm up beforehand with around 3-5min very easy
swim. Don't forget to cool down at the end of the session with a different
stroke to that used in the working sets eg. backstroke.
NB - the
number of lengths indicated assumes a 25m pool
Session 1
16 x 25m
Swim one length, rest 10-20 seconds, repeat 15 more times.
Session 2
8 x 50m
Swim two lengths, rest 10-20 seconds, repeat 7 more times.
Practice touch turns and push and glides at the end of each length. The
quicker you can turn around and start again, the less time wasted.
If you find breast stroke easier use breast stroke to start with and then
move onto front crawl. Unless you are extremely fast at breast stroke it
is unlikely that you would be able to complete the swim in the time,
however, doing one length front crawl, one length breast stroke may be
feasible.
Rest periods should be tailored to fitness levels. If you are finding it
too hard, take more time to rest, but too long! If you find it is too easy
then decrease rest periods. Remember don't do it all on your first go. Aim
to build up sessions each week.
Additionally, you should be
able to surface dive down to a depth of 2m without damage to your hearing.
Compiled by Matt Cullen
- Swimming Teacher, Fitness Instructor and Beach Lifeguard.
Have another look at question 3 and then check out the minimum recommended competencies required by ILS
and the standards of
minimum fitness required by
RNLI. You
can view all this information on our Surf
Lifeguard
Page. This will give you a good idea of the pre-course training you should be
aiming to attain.
This is a new exciting development to the 3rd.
Edition (Version 1) National Beach Lifeguard Qualification. There are a number of Optional,
Certificated Units now available. These units may be added to existing holders
of the NBLQ. These specialist Units include ;
Rescue Paddle Craft - (Ski, Malibu, Canoe suitable for patrol
and rescue, Paddle Board, Rowing Boat)
Surf Rescue
Rescue Boat - (RLSS Crew and Helm)
Personal Water Craft - (PWC)
Extended Life Support - Oxygen/AED
VHF Radio
Spine Board
Advanced Lifeguard Fitness Test
So if you have a particular skill or want to
acquire one - the opportunity is now open and available to you! This exciting
development is very welcome and designed to further progress Lifeguards by
developing their abilities and career prospects, by achieving higher
specialist certificated Units.
Click on thumb to
enlarge
Please contact us at
LIFEGUARDS IRELAND for full
details and information and how best to obtain these specialist units.
(13) Can I read the 'Top Ten Tips' written by
Geoff Wage.....?
This information is reproduced
by the kind permission of Geoff Wade of North Sea Volunteer Lifeguards. Geoff is considered to be one of the finest
and leading lifeguard trainers, especially for the NBLQ. There are lots of
interesting articles on the NSVL website so please remember to
visit.
No, but you must be a
reasonably good swimmer. Realistically you should be able to swim 400m. in a
swimming pool in 8 minutes or under (without stopping!!) before joining a
course. Goggles may be worn. It is worth noting that many employers require a
standard of 71/2
minutes for their particular employment. So best read the training programme and
training tips above, kindly provided by Matt Cullen and Geoff Wade respectively.
We support the IRISH SURFING
ASSOCIATION and its work. Knowledge of the sea, its environs and dangers gained
from being a member of the ISA is of valuable importance to a potential
lifeguard. We recommend membership to the ISA. However, you do not need to be a
surfer to become a lifeguard but it can be a advantage. You will find a
link to the ISA website on our
Friends Links
page.
(16) I want to work in a Outdoor
Centre, what qualifications do I need........?
If you are working on or near
open water then we recommend that you
hold the National Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NBLQ). If for some reason you
are unable to take the NBLQ and depending on your involvement with open water,
there are other awards that might be address your particular situation. Please
contact us for further information.
So if you have a particular skill or want to
acquire one - the opportunity is now open and available to you! This exciting
development is very welcome and designed to further progress Lifeguards by
developing their abilities and career prospects, by achieving higher
specialist certificated Units.
Beach Lifeguarding - 
