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This Skill Set provides the skills to supervise the safety of participants in aquatic recreation facilities and manage water-based rescues and emergencies. The primary objective of a Pool Lifeguard at an aquatic location is to supervise patrons within the aquatic environment and to assist in preventing drowning.

The course applies to individuals who may be required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.

Units Delivered

The following units will be included in your certificate:

SISSS00129 - Pool Lifeguard
SISCAQU006 - Supervise clients in aquatic locations
SISCAQU007 - Perform advanced water rescues
SISCAQU002 - Perform basic water rescues
PUAEME001 - Provide emergency care
PUAEME003 - Administer oxygen in an emergency
HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid

Course Delivery

This course can be delivered/assessed in the workplace or at facility organised by the training provider.

Course Durations

Course durations can vary for multiple reasons, so the durations below are the minimum possible amount.

Face-to-Face Face to Face contact time of at least 27 Hours

An individual undertaking this course with Allens Training Pty Ltd will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:

  • Physical capability to be able to meet the demands of the practical demonstration skills including:
  •  CPR*
  • Swim 200m in less than 6 minutes without using equipment
  • Retrieve an object from the deepest water within the aquatic environment no greater than 3 metres in depth. (If depth is greater than 3 metres, assistance may be used e.g. fins)
  • Complete a 25-metre swim and a 25 metre non-contact tow of a conscious casualty with assisted landing in less than 1 minute and 45 seconds
  • Work as a team to perform spinal immobilisation, stabilisation and removal of a suspected spinal injury casualty in both shallow and deep water
  • Assist two other team members with the removal of an unconscious person from the water

Please note, if you plan to work as a Pool Lifeguard, the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations note there are minimum age, health and fitness requirements of persons employed to be performing the role of a Pool Lifeguard. The Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO) SV11 Pool Lifeguard Health Assessments outlines the criteria regarding vision, hearing, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, pregnancy and immunizations. SV12 Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessments outlines the criteria to ensure lifeguards are physically fit enough to perform the required tasks and to provide a measure of safety should an emergency occur that requires physical ability.

*Important note: In order to issue an accredited certificate, CPR must be performed on the floor with no exemptions.

Individuals undertaking this course will be expected to complete both written and practical assessment tasks.

This certificate does not require renewal

Please note that enrolment to this course is made with Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909. Please refer to the student handbook located on the RTO website allenstraining.com.au (https://allenstraining.com.au/students/student-handbook) for all details relating to rights and responsibilities including complaints and appeals.

  • Simulated First Aid Scenario – Adult CPR (Selection of a scenario where the student has no prior knowledge of the casualty’s condition prior to starting treatment)
  • Complete a first aid incident report form based on the simulated first aid scenario
  • Performance Task – Infant CPR
  • Performance Tasks – Medical, Trauma & Environmental (Tasks 1 – 8)
    • Anaphylaxis
    • Asthma
    • Choking
    • Non-life-threatening-bleeding, minor wound cleaning & shock
    • Nosebleed
    • Fractures & dislocations
    • Sprains and strains
    • Envenomation (snake/ funnel-web spider bite)
  • Identify the casualty’s illness or injury through history, signs and symptoms. 
    • use personal protective equipment (PPE) as required. 
    • provide appropriate first aid treatment. 
    • convey incident details to emergency services or advise casualty on any required post incident action. 
    • provide an accurate verbal and written report of the incident. 
    • review the incident. 
  • Respond to unsafe situations 
  • Complete a fitness test: 
    • Swim 200m in less than 6 minutes 
    • Retrieve an object at the deepest part of the pool at the aquatic facility 
  • Perform the following aquatic rescues: 
    • Non-swim assists - talk, reach, rope throw, and flotation aid throw rescues 
    • Swim rescues – accompanied and a non-contact tow (25m swim, 25m non-contact tow with assisted landing in less than 1.45 minutes)
    • Contact tow of a conscious casualty using a spinal board 
    • Contact tow with the use of an aid of a non-breathing casualty with spinal board extraction 
    • Team rescue of a submerged swimmer 
  • Complete the tasks in line with State/Territory regulations, first aid codes of practice, first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies and workplace or site procedures. 
This course is delivered and assessed on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909