Open Water Lifeguard FAQs The RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification is the UK and Ireland's most awarded open water lifeguard qualification. The course is for anyone wishing to work on open water sites such as outdoor swimming venues, aqua parks, and other outdoor activities based on water. The OWL qualification teaches the knowledge and skills needed to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised, and risk-assessed activities in still, non-tidal water. To help you become an open water lifeguard and feel confident booking an RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) course, you'll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the OWL course below. What is open water lifeguarding? What qualifications do I need to lifeguard at an open water venue? What is an Open Water Lifeguard course? Where can I complete an Open Water Lifeguard qualification? How can I become an open water lifeguard? If I hold a pool lifeguard qualification, can I lifeguard at an open water venue? Can I work at a beach with an open water lifeguard qualification? Do I need any qualifications to train become an open water lifeguard? How long is an OWL qualification valid for? What is open water lifeguarding? Open water lifeguarding involves supervising planned, organised, and risk-assessed activities in still, non-tidal water - not in a swimming pool environment or at the beach. This could be an open water swimming venue, outdoor activity centres that offer canoeing or kayaking on a lake, lakeside events, or aqua parks. Find out more about open water lifeguarding. What qualifications do I need to lifeguard at an open water venue? To lifeguard at an open water venue, you would need to complete an open water lifeguarding qualification. The most awarded open water lifeguard qualification is the Royal Life Saving Society UK's (RLSS UK's) Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification, which is 18 hours of training delivered by an RLSS UK Trainer Assessor at open water venues across the UK and Ireland. Find out more about the OWL qualification. What is an Open Water Lifeguard course? An open water lifeguard course provides the required training to lifeguard at non-tidal water venues such as lakes. RLSS UK offers an Open Water Lifeguard course, which is 18 hours of training, usually delivered over three days, and the course content covers: Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action Section 3 - CPR and First Aid Learn more about why becoming an open water lifeguard is a great career choice. Where can I complete an Open Water Lifeguard qualification? Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) training courses are available at open water venues across the UK and Ireland and are delivered by RLSS UK Trainer Assessors. Find an OWL course near you Learn more about the OWL qualification How can I become an open water lifeguard? To become an open water lifeguard in the UK, you must complete an Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification. This will give you the qualifications to apply for roles as an open water lifeguard. Read stories about why being an open water lifeguard can help your personal and career development. If I hold a pool lifeguard qualification, can I lifeguard at an open water venue? If you hold a pool lifeguard qualification you are required to complete further training to lifeguard at an open water venue. The qualification needed to lifeguard at an open water venue is an open water lifeguard (OWL) qualification. What environments can you lifeguard at with an open water lifeguard qualification? An open water lifeguard qualification allows you to lifeguard in still, non-tidal water environments such as lakes, open water swimming venues, outdoor activities centres (such as canoeing or kayaking lakes) or aqua parks. What qualification do I need to lifeguard at an aqua park? To lifeguard at an aqua park, you would require an open water lifeguard (OWL) qualification. This is gained by completing an RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard training course, which is 18 hours of training and is available at open water facilities across the UK and Ireland. Find an OWL course near you Learn more about the OWL qualification Can I work at a beach with an open water lifeguard qualification? A lifeguard with an open water lifeguard qualification would need to complete further training to be a lifeguard in a beach environment. Beach lifeguards need to hold an RLSS UK National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ). Learn more about the beach lifeguard course Do I need any qualifications to train to become an open water lifeguard? To complete an Open Water Lifeguard qualification, every candidate must be: 16-years-old or over at the time of assessment Competent and confident in open water Able to submerge under the water confidently Able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/open water, swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency before attending the course. Do I need any qualifications to become an open water lifeguard? Yes, qualifications are required to become an open water lifeguard. The RLSS UK's Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification is the industry standard for open water lifeguarding. Find out more about the OWL qualification. How long is an OWL qualification valid for? The RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification is valid for two years. Candidates are required to complete a two-hour renewal assessment to renew. This includes a full assessment of your knowledge and skills (by an independent assessor). Learn more about renewing an OWL qualification. Find an OWL course near you Learn more about the OWL qualification. Manage Cookie Preferences