National Water Safety Management Programme (NWSMP)
The National Water Safety Programme (NWSMP) aims to be a leading suite of awards designed to equip anyone working in, on or near water with essential knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about managing water safety. The awards are suitable for employers in a wide range of industries, including teaching (field trips), construction, environmental health, leisure and emergency services that require their workforce to operate safely in or near water.
The NWSMP has been developed to meet the learning outcomes of DEFRA module 1 (Water & Flood Awareness training module) and module 2 Water & Flood First Responder training module, along with the needs of educational and outdoor professionals.
The NWSMP is divided into distinct levels to ensure candidates get the most out of the programme.
Upon passing any part of the NWSMP suite of awards, the certificate is valid for two years from the date of successful completion.
The NWSMP awards are accredited with the Institute for Outdoor Learning
NWSMP Course Prerequisites
Each candidate attending an NWSMP course must:
- Be 16 years old or over at the time of being assessed
- Have a good level of fitness
- Be competent at swimming in open-water environments (for Coastal and Inland Waterways module)
- For the assessment, candidates must be able to swim 50m in an open water environment. (for Coastal and Inland Waterways module)
DEFRA courses
The NWSMP modules meet the DEFRA Module 1 and 2 learning outcomes.
- NWSMP Level 1Water Safety Awareness is equivalent to DEFRA Module 1 Water & Flood Awareness
- NWSMP Inland Waterways Module is the equivalent to DEFRA Module 2 – Water & Flood First Responder.
When booking a course, you must confirm that the course provider is an “NWSMP DEFRA Instructor”.
Course Content
The NWSMP is split into two levels to ensure candidates get the most out of the course.
Water Safety Awareness
This course is for those working near water as part of a structured activity. The course includes:
- Generic Open Water Hazards
- Risk Management
- Land-based Rescue Techniques
- PPE & Aquatic Clothing
- Basic Life Support Awareness
Inland Waterways Module
This module focuses on specific inland waterway hazards along with in-water skills.
- Inland-Specific Hazards
- In Water Rescue Skills
- Personal Safety
- Dynamic Risk Management
- River Crossing
Coastal Waterways Module
This module focuses on specific coastal waterway hazards along with in-water skills.
- Coastal-specific Hazards
- In Water Rescue Skills
- Personal Safety
- Dynamic Risk Management
- Returning to Shore Through Surf
- Coastal Wildlife
Assessment
The NWSMP assessment takes place at the end of each level/ module. It determines your competence, skills, and knowledge of working near/in water and assesses your ability to apply the skills and knowledge learnt in the specific environment.The assessment is split as follows:
Water Safety Awareness
- Oral Questioning
- Practical Throw Bag Rescue
- Complete a Risk Assessment
Inland Waterways Module
- Inland waterways workbook
- Practical assessment
Coastal Waterways Module
- Coastal waterways workbook
- Practical assessment
Renewal
NWSMP candidates may only renew their qualification within the validity of their existing NWSMP qualification. We recommend candidates engage in continuous training to ensure they keep their skills and knowledge up to date.
The next course will be over the weekend of the 17th-18th April 2027 at Water Park on Coniston water, price will be £220
Other dates on request for a minimum group of 6 people
Contact me for more information and an application form
National Pool lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)
The RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the United Kingdom and Ireland that complies with the industry guidance contained within the HSE publication 'Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools' Generally, the NPLQ is a recruitment requirement for a number of jobs from Pool Lifeguard to Centre Manager. On successful completion of the course you will be fully qualified to work as a Pool Lifeguard.
The RLSS UK NPLQ is not just a qualification it can be a stepping stone into a career within the leisure industry.
The NPLQ course duration is 36 hours with an optional bolt on element of Automated External Defibrilation which is 1.5 hours.
The course comprises of physical training and theoretical classroom work, followed by a practical in-water and out-of-water assessment on pool rescue, first aid, CPR and lifesaving skills.
The qualification is internationally recognised and is incorporated on the Qualifications Framework at Level 2. The NPLQ is valid for 2 years from the date of issue and a further 20 hours of ongoing training and competency assessment must be completed before a lifeguard can renew their qualification prior to the expiry of their existing award.
Further information is available from the RLSS website
The RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the United Kingdom and Ireland that complies with the industry guidance contained within the HSE publication 'Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools' Generally, the NPLQ is a recruitment requirement for a number of jobs from Pool Lifeguard to Centre Manager. On successful completion of the course you will be fully qualified to work as a Pool Lifeguard.
The RLSS UK NPLQ is not just a qualification it can be a stepping stone into a career within the leisure industry.
The NPLQ course duration is 36 hours with an optional bolt on element of Automated External Defibrilation which is 1.5 hours.
The course comprises of physical training and theoretical classroom work, followed by a practical in-water and out-of-water assessment on pool rescue, first aid, CPR and lifesaving skills.
The qualification is internationally recognised and is incorporated on the Qualifications Framework at Level 2. The NPLQ is valid for 2 years from the date of issue and a further 20 hours of ongoing training and competency assessment must be completed before a lifeguard can renew their qualification prior to the expiry of their existing award.
Further information is available from the RLSS website
RLSS Swimming Pool Emergency Response Award
The RLSS Swimming Pool Emergencey award is a Certificate of Water Rescue Competence for staff working in a facility where there is a swimming pool but where there is no direct poolside supervision. In addition, the qualification will apply where pool operators wish to provide a suitable programme of training and independent assessment for ancillary staff who may act in support of the lifeguard team. This is not a Lifeguard qualification.
There are no prerequisites for this qualification. This is not a Lifeguard qualification.
Further information is available from the RLSS website
Bespoke courses available on request.
National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coachers (NRASTC)
This qualification trains the practical Lifesaving skills that may be needed by anyone teaching or coaching swimming or another programmed activity in the pool.
The qualification is endorsed by the Amateur Swimming Association, the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management and the Institute of Swimming Teachers and Coaches. It is also recognised in 'Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools' as being appropriate for those supervising programmed activities.
There are no prerequisites for this qualification. This is not a Lifeguard qualification.
Further information is available from the RLSS website
Bespoke courses available on request.
RLSS National Lifesaving Academy
RLSS National Lifesaving Academy is the lifesaving awards programme for teens and adults (12years+). The awards are challenging but fun to complete and they are arranged into Bronze Lifesaving Certificate, Bronze Star and Bronze Medallion to ensure that you continue to develop your lifesaving skills as you progress through the awards.
The awards teach lifesaving rescue, self-rescue, survival, and lifesaving sport skills, and also develop swimming ability and fitness.
There are four award strands in Pool, Open water and Beach.
Further information is available from the RLSS website
This programme can be delivered through your school, youth group or bespoke courses for a minimum group of six.
Contact me for further details
Open water lifeguard (OWL)
The Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) enables candidates with no previous lifeguard experience to become qualified. Because open water is dynamic, and the requirements for lifeguards so variable, the OWL module alone cannot ensure the holder has all the knowledge, skills and fitness they need to manage every situation. Lifeguards should expect to have an induction for the environment they will be working in to understand the specific requirements for that site/event. Through induction the site operator should identify whether the candidate is suitable as well as provide any additional and on-going training or PPE they need to keep them fit for duty and ready to respond.
The training and assessment for the module is split into three sections:
- Section 1 - Open Water Hazards
- Section 2 - Lifeguarding an Open Water site
- Section 3 - Practical in-water training
Candidates must pass all of the sections to successfully complete the RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard module. The assessment identifies a candidate’s:
- Knowledge and understanding of open water hazards
- Ability to apply the principles of working as a Lifeguard at an open water site
- Confidence and competence in applying Lifeguard skills in an open water setting
Candidates must meet the following pre-requisites to attend the OWL module:
- To deliver the course in days and an evening session, you must hold a current first aid qualification
- They should be able to meet the following basic fitness standards. - Before beginning the course, candidates should be able to complete a continuous swim of at least 400 metres in a pool. - Candidates should be able to dive to a depth of up to two metres without danger to their hearing
Further information is available from the RLSS website
The next course will be in 2027 on the weekend of the 1st and 2nd May at Water Park on Coniston Water with a pool session on Friday 30th April in the evening, please email for details.
Contact me for further details
This is suitable to anyone who will use the OWL qualification in a volunteer capacity at the Great Swims, local tri club or local lakes.
