Water Safety Advice For Your Business

Welcome to our online area dedicated to supporting businesses with water safety advice and support services, including bespoke training, consultancy, qualifications, equipment, and collaborative opportunities. As a charity, our primary interest lies in water safety. Our services offer impartial, honest, cost-effective solutions that best suit your water safety needs and help create a safer environment. PLUS, 100% of all profits from our business support services go into helping us educate more people on how to enjoy water safely.

Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) is proud to be the UK and Ireland's industry leader in water-related safety qualifications and training for aquatic, open water, and beach operators and be recognised worldwide as an expert in lifeguarding and water safety.

We work with an impressive list of national leisure operators and partners - from hotels, spas, and competition pools to leisure centres, aqua parks and open water venues. We have also supported many businesses and landowners in meeting their responsibilities to water safety. 

Our trusted brand gives peace of mind to businesses and the millions of people who access the facilities and sites we support.

Qualifications and Awards

Water safety training is essential for any business with employees working on, in, or near water. Every year, we certify more than 60,000 regulated qualifications and non-regulated vocational training awards, including First Aid Essentials and more lifeguards qualify with RLSS UK than any other awarding body! 

Bespoke Training 

We support many large organisations and businesses with more bespoke training needs - including the cruise and holiday industries. We can adapt 'off the shelf' RLSS UK qualifications and awards to provide a solution or create new, bespoke training products or packages tailored to your business.

Consultancy

We are experts at delivering clear and practical consultancy support to any business, organisation or individual with liabilities to visitors and staff around water. Our consultancy work is varied, and we cover a wide range of locations across the UK. For example, in 2023, we completed projects including water safety risk assessments for indoor pools and open water venues, local authorities and private landowners who own/manage bodies of water, as well as water safety audits on the coast. 

RLSS UK Shop

We are also at the forefront of supporting companies in manufacturing and distributing innovative and compliant lifesaving equipment, and the RLSS UK Shop offers official uniforms and training, first aid, and safety equipment for the leisure industry and beyond.

To find out how we can help your business, contact us at [email protected].


Trusted by 1,000s of customers such as...

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Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned, formerly known as the National Water Safety Management Programme (DEFRA), is industry-leading water safety training designed for organisations whose business activities take place in, on, or near water.  

Developed by RLSS UK in partnership with Bristol Maritime, a leading UK training provider, it is designed for anyone whose role involves operating around water, as well as for employers seeking training aligned with DEFRA standards.

Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned teaches candidates essential knowledge and water safety skills to make informed decisions about managing water safety. 
 

The RLSS UK Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned courses is a water safety training programme designed for organisations whose employees are working in, on or near water. Aligned to the DEFRA Flood Rescue Concept of Operations (FRCO), various training modules have been developed that enable employees to recognise their limitations and adequately prepare staff to be safe whilst operating near or in moving water. Throughout each module, candidates will have an appreciation and awareness of hazards associated with water and flooded environments, as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for such work tasks and the environment.  

Candidates complete the module(s) that suit their needs; it is the responsibility of the organisation to determine their own training requirements.

Find a Water Safety Training- DEFRA Aligned course near you



What is DEFRA?
 

DEFRA refers to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, which is the government department responsible for environmental protection, food products and standards, agriculture, fisheries, and rural communities in the United Kingdom and works closely with the devolved administrations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.  



What is the Flood Rescue Concept of Operations (FRCO)
 

The DEFRA Flood Rescue Concept of Operations (FRCO) is DEFRA’s national framework that defines how flood rescue is organised, including training standards, team types and operating procedures. RLSS UK’s Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned courses have been specifically developed to meet the learning outcomes of DEFRA Module 1, Annex G, Module 2 and Module 3.  



Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned Prerequisites
 

Each candidate attending any RLSS UK Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned module must: 

  • Be 16 years old (18 years old for Module 3) or over at the time of assessment.
  • Have a good level of fitness.
  • Be competent at swimming in open-water environments.   



RLSS UK Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned Modules

RLSS UK offer a range of Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned modules. Candidates complete the module(s) that suit their training requirements. 

 

DEFRA Module 1:

DEFRA Module 1: Water & Flood Awareness

Module 1 is for responders who may, as part of their role, work near water, making them aware of the hazards associated with water and flooded environments.
 
Guided learning hours: 3
Renewal required: after 1 year

Learn more 

DEFRA Module 1 with Annex G: Water and Flood Non-rescue Support Operations

This module is for workers and volunteers in a non-rescue role who have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). It is designed to prepare workers and volunteers for accidental immersion.
 
Guided learning hours: 6
Renewal required: after 3 years

Learn more 



DEFRA Module 2:

A photograph of a Water Safety Training - DEFRA aligned course with a candidate throwing a life buoy into the river
DEFRA Module 2: Water & Flood First Responder

Module 2 is aimed at those who are working in water as a large part of their role. It is designed to train responders to identify their limitations as well as safe and effective use of appropriate water rescue equipment.

Guided learning hours: 14
Renewal required: after 3 years

Learn more


DEFRA Module 3:

A photograph of a Water Safety Training - DEFRA aligned course with candidates of a inflatable boat paddling up a river
DEFRA Module 3: Water & Flood Rescue Technician

Module 3 trains responders to recognise their operational limits and use of appropriate water rescue equipment when working on or in moving water.  It is also designed for specialist search and rescue personnel who require advanced water rescue skills. 

Guided learning hours: 26
Renewal required: after 3 years

Learn more 



Coastal Waterways Module 1: Coastal Water Awareness

For responders who, as part of their job role, work in or near coastal waterways, RLSS UK and Bristol Maritime have also developed a Coastal Waterways Module 1: Coastal Water Awareness. This award outlines the risks of operating close to coastal water and introduces essential safety measures. Candidates should complete either DEFRA Module 1 with Annex G or DEFRA Module 2 before completing this module. The course training provider must ensure candidates have suitable practical competencies before attending the Coastal Waterways Module. 


Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned Assessment Criteria
 

To pass RLSS UK’s Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned modules, candidates must pass an ongoing assessment throughout the course, comprising verbal questioning, practical demonstrations, or a combination of these to confirm their competence.
 



Recertification Process for Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned Modules
 

DEFRA Module 2: Water & Flood First Responder and DEFRA Module 3: Water & Flood Rescue Technician have recertification courses that require candidates to complete a set number of CPD hours before completing the course. All other modules, or if a candidate doesn't have the required CPD hours, the candidate must complete the course again to recertify their qualification.

For more information about the recertification process for each module, please visit the specific module webpage.



Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)
 

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) is not available for the Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned modules. All candidates must complete the full set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria.  



How to Book a Course 
 

To find your nearest RLSS UK Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned course, please visit the RLSS UK Course Finder or email us for more details at [email protected].  




Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs about Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned



Interested in Becoming an RLSS UK Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned Trainer Assessor? 
 

If you are interested in becoming an RLSS UK Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned Trainer Assessor, please visit our Become an RLSS UK Water Safety Training - DEFRA Aligned Trainer Assessor page to learn more about the prerequisites and how to apply.



RLSS UK Water Safety TrainingDEFRA Aligned Modules



Learn more about RLSS UK's Other Water Safety Training for Businesses: