Swimming teacher pool rescue training — NRASTC qualification
RLSS UK · Rescue Award for Swim Teachers · Ages 16+

National Rescue Award
for Swimming Teachers
& Coaches (NRASTC).

The NRASTC is an RLSS UK supervision and rescue award for swimming teachers, coaches and instructors working during programmed activities such as swimming lessons. It provides the practical rescue and emergency response skills needed for teaching in pools where the water is above standing depth. It sits within the Yorkshire Lifeguard Academy pathway and is delivered through Bluewatch Training, the professional training arm of Yorkshire Lifeguards.

Enquire about NRASTC View the full Academy
RLSS UK Award
12 Hours · 2 Days
Theory & Practical Assessment
Ages 16+
What is the NRASTC?

Rescue and supervision skills for swimming teachers in the water.

The NRASTC is an RLSS UK supervision and rescue award for swimming teachers, coaches and instructors working during programmed activities — such as swimming lessons — in pools where the water depth is higher than the teacher's standing depth.

It provides the practical intervention rescue and emergency response skills that swimming teachers need when working poolside or in the water with learners. Successful candidates receive an RLSS UK NRASTC certificate valid for the period shown on their certificate.

If the facility has qualified lifeguards or first aiders available to respond quickly in an emergency, a lighter alternative — the NRASTC LIGHT — may be appropriate. Contact us to discuss which is right for your setting.

NRASTC is a 12-hour course, deliverable across two days, with a theory and practical assessment at the end of the course.

NRASTC at a glance

Award

RLSS UK National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (non-regulated)

Duration

12 hours, deliverable in two days

Minimum age

16 years old at the date of assessment

Swimming prerequisites

  • Swim a minimum of 50 metres on front and back
  • Surface dive to the deepest part of the pool
  • Climb out unaided without steps or ladders (where venue design permits)

Assessment

Theory and practical assessment at the end of the course

Suitable for

Teachers working in pools where water depth exceeds the teacher's standing depth and meets the individual facility's risk assessment

Who NRASTC is for

Swimming teachers, coaches and instructors teaching in the pool.

NRASTC is for anyone teaching, coaching or instructing swimming during programmed activities where the water depth exceeds their standing depth and where they may need to respond independently to a swimmer in difficulty.

Swim Schools & Academies

Swimming teachers at swim schools, leisure centre programmes and independent academies where lessons take place in variable-depth pools.

School Swimming Teachers

Teachers delivering school swimming lessons who work in the water or poolside in settings where water is above their standing depth.

Independent Coaches

Independent swimming coaches and instructors hiring pool time for sessions who need to demonstrate appropriate rescue capability for their setting.

Leisure Centre Instructors

Aquatic fitness and swimming instructors delivering sessions in leisure centre pools where a rescue response may be required.

NRASTC LIGHT: If the facility has qualified lifeguards or first aiders on site who can respond quickly in an emergency, an alternative lighter qualification — the NRASTC LIGHT — may be appropriate for your setting. Contact us to discuss which option is right for your venue and risk assessment.

Course content

What the NRASTC covers

Four topic areas covering the full range of skills a swimming teacher needs to respond to a poolside or in-water emergency during a lesson.

Class Management

The teacher's role, swimming pool operating procedures and class management during programmed activities. Understanding the safe system of work for lessons in variable-depth pools.

Intervention Rescue

Practical pool rescue techniques for swimming teachers — recognising a swimmer in difficulty, making an entry, performing an intervention rescue and getting the casualty to safety.

Emergency Action

Activating the emergency action plan, alerting emergency services, managing the class and coordinating the response during a pool emergency.

CPR and First Aid

Emergency first aid, adult and child CPR, basic life support and casualty management — to maintain the casualty until emergency services arrive.

Delivered through Bluewatch Training

NRASTC sits within the Yorkshire Lifeguard Academy pathway. Formal RLSS course delivery, administration and quality assurance are provided through Bluewatch Training, the professional training arm of Yorkshire Lifeguards.

To enquire about NRASTC — as an individual teacher, swim school or leisure centre — contact us and we will discuss your requirements, swimming prerequisites and course options.

Also available through the Academy

Progress to a full lifeguard qualification.

After completing NRASTC, the natural next step is a full RLSS UK lifeguard qualification. All three routes sit within the Yorkshire Lifeguard Academy pathway, with delivery through Bluewatch Training.

You are here

NRASTC

Rescue and supervision award for swimming teachers and coaches working during programmed lessons.

Next step

NPLQ Pool Lifeguard

The recognised standard for pool lifeguard roles. Full pool supervision training and qualification.

 Related

NVBLQ Beach Lifeguard

National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification — the standard for beach lifeguard roles.

 Related

OWL Open Water Lifeguard

Open water lifeguarding for lakes, reservoirs, open-water events and inland water venues.

Enquire about NRASTC.

Swimming teachers, coaches, swim schools and leisure centres can enquire about NRASTC. We will discuss your prerequisites, your setting and the right next step — whether that is NRASTC, NRASTC LIGHT or a full lifeguard qualification.

Enquire about NRASTC View the full Academy