LIFEGUARD QUALIFICATIONS
RLSS BEACH LIFEGUARD QUALIFICATION
The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ) is the recognised industry standard for anyone seeking employment as a beach lifeguard in Ireland. Delivered under the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), this course equips candidates with the knowledge, fitness, and confidence to work safely across a wide range of coastal environments.At Wild Water Adventures in Fenit, County Kerry, we deliver RLSS-accredited NVBLQ training designed to prepare you for both local lifeguard employment and international opportunities. Whether you are a student looking for summer work, an outdoor professional, or someone passionate about water safety, this course provides the essential training and certification you need.
COURSE DETAILS
Benefits
- Internationally recognised qualification that creates opportunities to work abroad
- Seasonal employment for students, with excellent earning potential
- Builds teamwork, leadership, and decision-making skills
- Teaches essential life-saving skills such as CPR, First Aid, and open water rescue
- Improves fitness, confidence, and awareness of water safety
NVBLQ Course Pre-Requisites
To enrol in the NVBLQ, all candidates must meet the following entry requirements:
- Minimum age: 16 years at the time of assessment
- Strong swimmer with a good level of fitness
- Able to swim 200m continuously in under 5 minutes before the course begins
- At assessment, able to swim 400m front stroke in under 8 minutes
- Able to surface dive to 1.5m depth
- Able to tread water for 2 minutes
- Able to exit deep water unaided
Course Content
The NVBLQ covers all elements of beach lifeguard theory, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, pool skills and open water skills. The course is physically demanding and will include swimming to set times and lifting. The NVBLQ is comprised of four modules and all must be successfully passed to attain the qualification.
Modules include:
- Module 1 – Beach lifeguard theory, hazard recognition, and risk assessment
- Module 2 – Life support skills including CPR and advanced First Aid
- Module 3 -3 Pool-based training for controlled rescue scenarios
- Module 4 – Open water training in real coastal environments
This mix of practical and theoretical learning ensures every candidate graduates with the ability to respond effectively to emergencies.
Assessment
The NVBLQ assessment takes place at the end of the course. It determines your competence, skills and knowledge of working as a beach lifeguard and assesses your ability to apply the skills and knowledge in a beach environment.
The assessment is split into five elements:
- Beach Lifeguard and First Aid Theory
- Life Support and First Aid
- First Aid Practical
- Ocean Skills
- Pool Skills
The NVBLQ lifeguard qualification is delivered over six days and independently assessed.
Candidates who are not successful have the option to retake any section which they fail within 28 days.
Costs of the assessor and facility maybe incurred.
Renewal
Beach Lifeguards may renew their qualification only within the validity of their existing qualification. Lifeguards are recommended to engage in continuous training to ensure they are ready for duty.
Approved Prior Learning (APL)
In some circumstances, candidates may be able to show evidence of prior achievement to exempt themselves from section of the course. Exceptions may apply to holders of the following awards and qualifications (guided time credits are shown in brackets):
- Current RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) [12 hours]
- Current RLSS UK Life Support 3 [3 hours]
- Current First Aid at Work Certificate or Occupational First Aid Certificate [9 hours]
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 12 hours accreditation for prior learning may be claimed
