NPLQ and Aquatic Qualifications

 The Royal Life Saving Society UK's (RLSS UK) NPLQ is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the UK and Ireland and is also internationally recognised. Over 40,000 lifeguards qualify with the RLSS UK pool lifeguard course every year, and there are currently more than 75,000 lifeguards qualified in the NPLQ. 

NRASTC is a supervision and rescue award for swimming teachers, coaches and (or) instructors working during programmed activities, such as swimming lessons. It is suitable for teachers working in a wide range of swimming pools where the water depth is higher than the teachers’ standing depth and meets the individual facility’s Risk Assessment. It is a non-regulated award. 

If the facility has qualified lifeguards or first aiders available to respond quickly to a swimming teacher or coach in an emergency, you could consider a NRASTC LIGHT qualification.

NRASTC LIGHT is a supervision and rescue award for swimming teachers, coaches and/or instructors working during programmed activities, such as swimming lessons, when a Lifeguard or First Aid backup can respond quickly in an emergency.

It is suitable for teachers working in a wide range of swimming pools, including pools where the water is deeper than the teacher’s standing depth. This award is only suitable when the facility has staff qualified as lifeguards or first aiders who can respond quickly to a swimming teacher or coach in an emergency. It is a non-regulated award. 

If a lifeguard or first aid backup is unavailable, the standard NRASTC should be used. Click here to find out more about the NRASTC course.

The ATPRA is a pool supervision and rescue award for aquatic therapists and support workers working during programmed activities. It is suitable for those working in a variety of pools, including where the water is deeper than your standing depth.

This qualification is endorsed by the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) and is a non-regulated award. 

If the facility has qualified lifeguards or first-aiders available to respond quickly to a therapist or support worker in an emergency, you could consider an ATPRA LIGHT qualification – Click here for more information.

The ATPRA LIGHT is a supervision and rescue award for aquatic therapists and support workers working during programmed activities when lifeguard or first aid backup is available to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.

It is suitable for those working in a variety of pools, including where the water is deeper than your standing depth.

This award is only suitable when the facility has staff qualified as lifeguards or first aiders that are available to respond quickly to you in the event of an emergency.

This qualification is endorsed by the Aquatic Therapy Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (ATACP) and is a non-regulated award.  

If a lifeguard or first aid-qualified backup is not available the standard ATPRA should be used. Find out more about the ATPRA course here.