Rookie Lifeguard FAQs

RLSS UK's Rookie Lifeguard programme is an exciting and educational way for children to expand their water activities and learn valuable lifesaving skills. Rookie Lifeguards learn basic rescue and lifesaving skills, equipping them with the essential knowledge to recognise hazards, respond effectively in emergency situations, and stay safe in, on and around water.

The Rookie Lifeguard programme also helps children build confidence, develop teamwork skills, and foster leadership. If you're looking for a fun, engaging, and active programme for your child or to add to your activity schedule, you've found it!

We've compiled the most frequently asked questions about the Rookie Lifeguard programme here to help you decide if it's the right fit for your child, or the right programme to add to your leisure centre or lifesaving club pool schedule.

Find out more about Rookie Lifeguard.

Find a Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme near you

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Rookie Lifeguard General FAQs

What is Rookie Lifeguard?

The RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard programme teaches children basic rescue and lifesaving skills. It covers all the essential knowledge and practical skills to recognise hazards, respond effectively in emergency situations, and stay safe in, on and around water.

The Rookie Lifeguard programmes include:

What are Rookie Lifeguards?

Rookie Lifeguards are children participating in the RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard Pool and/or RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard Beach programmes.

What do Rookie Lifeguards do?

Rookie Lifeguards participate in the RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard programme, which teaches participants basic rescue and lifesaving skills. A Rookie Lifeguard learns how to recognise hazards, respond effectively in emergencies, and stay safe in, on, and around water.

Each programme involves course content stages (e.g. Bronze, Silver and Gold) that run over some time (e.g. 8-10 weeks) and children are awarded a certificate on completion of each stage. Programmes also include speciality awards that can be achieved at any stage to add variety and fun (e.g. Paddleboard, Diving, Life Support (first aid), etc.).

Find out more about the Rookie Lifeguard programme

What age can my child start Rookie Lifeguards?

Children must be at least eight years old to start the Rookie Lifeguard pool and beach programmes. Rookie Rescue Skills is for children with disabilities who are six years old or over.

Learn more about the Rookie Lifeguard programmes

How old are Rookie Lifeguards?

The Rookie Lifeguard pool and beach programmes are for children aged 8 to 12, and Rookie Rescue Skills is for children with disabilities who are 6 years or older.

What are the Rookie Lifeguard criteria a child needs to meet?

The criteria for each Rookie Lifeguard programme are different. Generally, children need to be a specific age or over and have achieved a certain swimming level.

Please consult the specific programme for the prerequisites required:

When does a Rookie Lifeguard programme start?

Rookie Lifeguard programmes run all year round, and leisure operators and lifesaving clubs deliver sessions across the UK and Ireland. You can find details for where to find your nearest Rookie Lifeguard programme on the RLSS UK Course Finder, or you can contact your local leisure operator or club for more information.

Find a Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme near you

Is Rookie Lifeguard a qualification?

The Rookie Lifeguard programme is an award scheme, not a qualification. Rookie Lifeguards work towards and complete course content stages (e.g., Bronze, Silver, and Gold) that run over a period of time (e.g., 8-10 weeks). On successful completion, children can be awarded a certificate.

How do I find a Rookie Lifeguard programme near me?

Rookie Lifeguard programmes run all year round across the UK and Ireland and are delivered by leisure operators and lifesaving clubs. You can find your nearest Rookie Lifeguard programmes on the RLSS UK Course Finder or contact your local leisure operator or club for more details.

Find a Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme near you

Where can I buy Rookie Lifeguard clothing?

Official RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard clothing is available from the RLSS UK Shop. The range includes T-shirts, hoodies, towel robes, and more.

Shop Rookie Lifeguard clothing

What comes after Rookie Lifeguard?

The National Lifesaving Academy (NLA) is available for children who have completed the Rookie Lifeguard programme or are older than the programme's requirements. The RLSS UK NLA awards are a progressive suite of awards that teach personal survival, first aid, CPR, rescue, and fitness skills to anyone aged 12 and over.

Find out more about the National Lifesaving Academy (NLA)

What are the differences between the Rookie Lifeguard programmes?

There are three Rookie Lifeguard programmes, and the differences are:

Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme - learn basic rescue and lifesaving skills in a swimming pool environment.
Rookie Lifeguard Beach programme - learn basic rescue and lifesaving skills in a beach environment.
Rookie Rescue Skills programme - basic self-rescue skills for children with disabilities.

Rookie Lifeguard Pool Programme FAQs

What is the Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme?

The RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme teaches children aged 8-12 years basic rescue and lifesaving skills in a swimming pool environment. It equips them with the essential knowledge to recognise hazards, respond effectively in emergency situations, and stay safe in, on and around water.

Learn more about the Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme

What age can my child start the Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme?

Children can start the RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme at 8.

What are the Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme levels/stages/awards?

The Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme involves three core course content stages—Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each stage is divided into three levels and runs roughly for eight to ten weeks. The programme also includes speciality awards that can be achieved at any stage to add variety and fun.

Full details about each stage of the Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme

Is the Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme hard?

The Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme is designed to be fun yet develop a child's rescue and lifesaving skills. The core course content is split into progressive stages and levels. After successful completion, a child can progress to the next stage. If a child doesn't complete a stage or doesn't feel confident to progress to the next stage, they can repeat a stage if the Rookie Lifeguard Instructor agrees.

How long does a Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme last?

Each stage of the Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme runs for roughly eight to ten weeks, with three core content stages total. The programme also includes speciality awards that can be achieved at any stage to add variety and fun.

When does a Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme start?

Rookie Lifeguard Pool programmes are run all year round and across the UK and Ireland by leisure operators and lifesaving clubs. You can find details of programmes on the RLSS UK Course Finder, or you can contact your local leisure operator or club for more information.

Find a Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme near you.

Rookie Lifeguard Beach Programme FAQs

What is the Rookie Lifeguard Beach programme?

The RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard Beach programme teaches children aged 8 to 12 years basic rescue and lifesaving skills in a beach environment. It equips them with the essential knowledge to recognise hazards, respond effectively in emergency situations, and stay safe in, on and around water.

Learn more about the Rookie Lifeguard Beach programme.

Rookie Rescue Skills Programme FAQs

What is the Rookie Rescue Skills programme?

Rookie Rescue Skills is a self-rescue programme for children with disabilities aged six or over. Classes are kept small so there's plenty of time for one-to-one teaching and support. They are designed as a progression from the one-to-one swimming lessons often required by children with disabilities when they begin their swimming journey.

Learn more about the Rookie Rescue Skills programme.

Rookie Lifeguard Instructor FAQs

How do I offer the Rookie Lifeguard programme at my leisure centre or club?

The Rookie Lifeguard programme could considerably increase your swimming and pool-based income by retaining swimmers and attracting new customers to your centre or pool. Getting any of your staff qualified via an online Opportunity within their RLSS UK Account or a one-day face-to-face Rookie Lifeguard Instructor course (depending on prerequisites) is quick and easy.

Find out more about offering Rookie Lifeguard at your facilities

Who can teach Rookie Lifeguard?

RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard Instructors teach Rookie Lifeguard programmes.

How to Become a Rookie Lifeguard Instructor

How to become a Rookie Lifeguard Instructor?

The prerequisites required to become a Rookie Lifeguard Instructor differ depending on the programme you want to deliver. It is quick and easy to qualify your staff to deliver the Rookie Lifeguard programme, and most of your team will not be required to complete any further face-to-face training.

For more information, please visit our How to become a Rookie Lifeguard Instructor page.

How to upskill to a Rookie Rescue Instructor from a Rookie Lifeguard Instructor?

Rookie Lifeguard Instructors can upskill to deliver the Rookie Rescue Skills programme in their RLSS UK Account. The Opportunity is currently FREE to all Rookie Lifeguard Instructors.

How to teach Rookie Lifeguard?

Each Rookie Lifeguard award has a set of 72 pre-written lesson plans, enabling teachers to deliver the syllabus in 10 sessions lasting 30 minutes each.

Rookie Lifeguard Instructors can access the teaching resources within their RLSS UK Account.

Please contact us at [email protected] or 0300 323 0096 if you have any questions or would like support in delivering Rookie Lifeguard programmes.

How do I advertise my Rookie Lifeguard programme?

Courses can be advertised on the RLSS UK Course Finder. FREE downloadable posters are available in your RLSS UK Account (Resources & Documents tab, Rookie Lifeguard folder, then Marketing folder).

For many other ways to advertise your Rookie Lifeguard courses, check out our 'How to Recruit New Rookie Lifeguards and Fill Your Sessions' guide.

How do I add my Rookie Lifeguard programme to the RLSS UK Course Finder?

You can add your Rookie Lifeguard programme to the RLSS UK Course Finder within your RLSS UK Account. Follow these step-by-step instructions on how to register for an ongoing course.

I can't advertise my Rookie Lifeguard programme on the RLSS UK Course Finder.

If you cannot find or select the 'Advertise on Course Finder' option within your RLSS UK Account, please contact our Customer Services team at [email protected] or 0300 323 0096.

Where can I buy Rookie Lifeguard certificates?

Official RLSS UK Rookie Lifeguard certificates are available from the RLSS UK Shop. Certificate packs contain five colourful A4 certificates, five woven badges (70mm), and five stickers (40mm). Each award is the perfect way to recognise the accomplishments of your Rookie Lifeguards and provide them with a tangible symbol of their achievement.

Learn more about the Rookie Lifeguard certificates

Where can I buy the Rookie Lifeguard progress book?

The official Rookie Lifeguard Progress Book is available from the RLSS UK Shop. The Rookie Lifeguard Progress Book is a fantastic resource that Rookie Lifeguards can use to track and celebrate their progress through the Rookie Lifeguard programme. All nine Rookie Lifeguard Pool programme awards are in one book, and it includes a skills chart for each stage that Rookie Lifeguards can use to tick off key skills once they've been accomplished. A sticker chart is at the back of the progress book, where Rookie Lifeguards can proudly display stickers marking the awards they have achieved.

Learn more about the Rookie Lifeguard Progress Book

Check out the Rookie Lifeguard Progress Book Bundle