AIM

To develop acceptable standards of knowledge, judgement, skills and physical abilities for the supervision of people in swimming pools

 

Minimum Age
16 years or the year in which the candidate turns 16 years

 

Pre-requisites
The candidate must possess a Bronze Medallion award. (except for those re-taking the Pool
Lifeguard Award)

 

EXAMINATION

Theory Test
1. Answer 6 questions showing clear knowledge and understanding of the following
    1.1 emergency equipment at the pool
    1.2 poolside communication procedures
    1.3 pool hazards and accident prevention principles
    1.4 emergency action plan

Resuscitation and Emergency Care
2. Answer 4 questions on the use of oxygen resuscitators available at the pool. This will include
a demonstration where appropriate:
    2.1 functions and features of oxygen resuscitators
    2.2 maintenance and operation
    2.3 advantages and disadvantages
    2.4 likely problems in use of the equipment

3. Submit evidence of certification obtained within the past two years in cardiopulmonary
resuscitation techniques. This could be either the SLSS's Resuscitation (CPR) or Senior
Resuscitation or other award which has been accepted by the Society.

Practical Test
4. Contact Tow
This rescue is designed to simulate urgency and is primarily designed to test the rescue fitness of
the Lifeguard.
    4.1 enter the water and swim 25 metres to the conscious casualty
    4.2 tow the casualty 25 metres to a point of support and place in support position
    4.3 assist the casualty to land from deep water with assistance of a trained bystander
    4.4 treat for shock
A time of 1 minute 20 seconds is allowed from the start of the test to the end of the tow when the
casualty is placed in support position. No rescue aid is available.

5. Resuscitation Rescue
An unconscious non-breathing casualty is lying on the pool floor, at the deepest part of the pool
(minimum 1.8 metres).
    5.1 enter the water from the poolside and recover the casualty
    5.2 demonstrate deep water resuscitation whilst towing the casualty to the nearest point of
           support which is 10 metres away
    5.3 simulate supported EAR with 12 further inflations
    5.4 land the casualty with the assistance from a bystander, exchange for a manikin and
          demonstrate CPR technique on the manikin for 5 cycles
    5.5 place the casualty in the Recovery Position

(Note:an object of 2 to 4 kilos, or a submersible manikin, will used on the pool floor to represent
the casualty).

6. Double Rescue
Enter the water and swim 10 metres to two casualties locked together. Demonstrate initiative in
rescue of the two casualties to the nearest point of support.

7. Releases
In deep water, demonstrate as directed by the Examiner, releases from three types of clutch:
    7.1 from the rear
    7.2 from the front, around the body and arms
    7.3 from the front, around the head and shoulders

8. Spinal Injury
    8.1 in shallow water, immobilise a breathing casualty with a suspected spinal/neck injury
    8.2 recruit and direct two untrained bystanders to assist in stabilising the casualty by supporting
           the casualty at the hips and ankles, until arrival of the appropriate emergency services

9. Initiative
The candidate will detect the need for, and the rescue of two casualties whose conditions are
previously unknown, in circumstances typical of prevailing pool situations.
Established emergency procedures for the pool will be used. On completion of the test, reasons
for the actions taken and the relevance of the emergency procedures will be explained by the
candidate.

10. Swim Fitness
In swimwear, swim 400 metres continuously, comprising of 100 metres each of breaststroke,
survival back-stroke, side-stroke and front crawl. Correct and efficient stroke techniques must be
used and the time limit of the swim is 11 minutes.
(Note: This test item is designed to develop fitness and stroke efficiency for use in lifesaving
emergencies.)