The Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award is an RLSS UK award for pool venue staff who may be required to respond to a swimming pool emergency — performing a rescue or supporting a lifeguard team. It sits within the Yorkshire Lifeguard Academy pathway and is delivered through Bluewatch Training, the professional training arm of Yorkshire Lifeguards.
The HSE publication Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools states that when a pool is in use there must be a safe system of work to identify a person in difficulty and ensure a rescue can be performed. In the absence of a dedicated lifeguard, designated on-call competent staff must be able to respond immediately, reach the poolside and perform a rescue.
SPERA is the RLSS UK award designed for exactly that role. It is for people employed at a pool venue who may be required, under the venue's own risk assessment and operating procedures, to respond to a pool emergency or support a lifeguard team. It is not a lifeguard qualification and does not replace the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). NPLQ provides the fuller training and preparation required for pool supervision roles.
SPERA is a 12-hour RLSS UK award, deliverable across two days, with a practical assessment on completion.
Award
RLSS UK Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (non-regulated)
Duration
12 hours, deliverable in two days
Minimum age
16 years old at the beginning of the course
Swimming prerequisites
Assessment
Formal practical assessment on completion of the course
Scope
SPERA does not replace NPLQ and is not a pool supervision qualification. It supports emergency response capability for non-lifeguard venue staff.
SPERA is for any staff employed at a swimming pool venue who may be required, under the venue's own risk assessment and operating procedures, to respond to a pool emergency or support a lifeguard team. It is suitable for a wide range of roles.
Receptionists, spa hosts, housekeeping and waiting staff at venues with pool access
Gym staff, duty managers and maintenance staff working in settings with pool facilities
Staff at schools, sports clubs or holiday parks with pool facilities requiring designated emergency responders
Anyone at the venue whose role may include being the designated on-call person for pool emergency response
SPERA is not a pool supervision qualification and does not replace the NPLQ. It supports emergency response for non-lifeguard staff under the venue's own risk assessment and operating procedures.
A 12-hour practical programme covering the three core areas of pool emergency response.
The Emergency Rescuer's Role
Pool Safety Operating Procedures and safety information. The responsibilities of designated emergency response staff and how to operate within the venue's safe system of work.
Responding to an Emergency
The Emergency Action Plan. Practical pool rescue skills — identifying a casualty in difficulty, entering the water, performing a rescue and supporting a lifeguard team on arrival.
CPR, First Aid and AED
Emergency first aid skills including adult CPR, AED awareness and basic casualty management — to stabilise a casualty until emergency services arrive.
Delivered through Bluewatch Training
SPERA 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 SPERA — as a candidate, pool venue or employer — contact us and we will discuss your requirements and next steps.
After completing SPERA, the natural next step is a full RLSS UK lifeguard qualification. All three routes are available through Yorkshire Lifeguard Academy, with delivery through Bluewatch Training.
Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award — emergency response support for pool venue staff.
The recognised standard for pool lifeguard roles. Full pool supervision training and qualification.
RelatedThe standard for employed beach lifeguard roles. Beach surveillance, rescue and emergency response.
RelatedOpen water lifeguarding for lakes, reservoirs, open-water events and inland water venues.
Pool venues, leisure centres, hotels, schools and clubs can enquire about SPERA for venue staff. Candidates wanting to move on to a full NPLQ, NVBLQ or OWL qualification can also enquire through the same route.