NPLQ courses

Learn to save lives

National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) Courses

We are running an NPLQ course here at Felixstowe Leisure Centre. Learn valuable life saving skills and become qualified for a job in lifeguarding.

And why stop there? If you become a lifeguard at a Places Leisure Centre, you will have the opportunity to progress your career in leisure, with potential Placemaker, Placemaker Manager, and Duty Manager roles available in the centre.

View current vacancies

NPLQ stands for National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and is widely accepted by swimming pools in the UK and Ireland as a minimum qualification as a role of a lifeguard within the swimming pool. The course is split into 4 sections:

Section 1 – The Lifeguard and the Law, Swimming Pool Supervision

Element 1 – The Lifeguard and the Law
Element 2 – Swimming Pool, Hazards and Control Measures
Element 3 – Swimming Pool Supervision

Section 2 – Intervention and Rescue and Emergency Action Plans

Element 1 – Intervention and Rescue
Element 2 – Rescue of a Casualty with a Suspected Spinal Injury
Element 3 – Emergency Action Plan

Section 3 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, AED and First Aid

Element 1 – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Element 2 – First Aid
Element 3 – Automated External Defibrillation (AED)

The course includes swimming pool rescue skills, basic life support, basic First Aid, managing a casualty suffering from a spinal injury, managing a swimming pool environment, identifying hazards that could cause harm to users and much more.

Am I eligible to take part?

Every candidate attending a NPLQ course must be 16-years-old at the time of taking the NPLQ final assessment and be able to:

  • Jump/dive into deep water
  • Swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds
  • Swim 100 metres continuously on front and back in deep water
  • Tread water for 30 seconds
  • Surface dive to the floor of the pool
  • Climb out unaided without ladder/steps and where the pool design allows

What will I receive if I am successful?

Successful candidates will receive:

  • RLSS NPLQ certificate
  • RLSS AED certificate 

How much does it cost?

£250 per person

Upcoming 2025 courses

  • 17th - 22nd February 
  • 26th - 31st May 
  • 28th July - 2nd August 
  • 27th October - 1st November

How to book?

For more information, call us on 01394 694600 or enquire here.

Course testimonials

“Good course, learned lots of new skills. Engaging and interactive course. Matt was very helpful throughout the course."​

"Had a lovely time, enjoyed myself very much. The trainer made the course interesting and enjoyable, learned many applicable skills."​

"Very informative and understanding, ensured all content was delivered and understood. Thorough explanation of content and easy learning. Trainer was good and helped everyone, an overall good experience."​

"Matt is a very welcoming, humorous and detailed trainer. He knows what he is doing like the back of his hand. Everyone settled comfortably."