Pool Lifeguard Award
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IWS / ILAM - National Pool Lifeguard Award
The aim of the IWS/ILAM Ireland, National Pool Lifeguard Award is to enable a candidate to act as a designated lifeguard, trained in Pool Rescue and Basic Life Support techniques. He/She will also have an awareness of First Aid and Pool Water Analysis.
Preferred entry level is Rescue 2 Award of Irish Water Safety
Minimum Swimming standard entry level
Be able to swim 100 metres on front (prone) and 100 metres on back (supine).
Be able to surface dive and recover an object from the deepest part of the pool.
Be 16 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
Specification:
Unit 1 Basic Life Support 1,2 and 3
Unit 2 Lifeguard Skills
Unit 3 Pool Operations
Lifeguard certification is awarded at either of two levels.
Level 1 certificates are awarded to those who are judged to be competent to supervise swimming pools or sections of a swimming facility, where the water depth does not exceed 1.5m.
Level 2 certificates are awarded to those who are judged to be competent to supervise areas of water in a swimming facility where depths are greater than 1.5m.
Candidates can upgrade from a Level 1 to a Level 2 award during the validity period of the Level 1 award. Candidates undertaking such an upgrade do not have to complete the entire course.
Optional modules are available from IWS and ILAM Ireland e.g. AED, Disability Teaching and Pool Plant Operator Certificate. Holders of the IWS/ILAM Ireland National Pool Lifeguard award are strongly encouraged to undertake further training
Test Items
Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3
Unit 1 – BASIC LIFE SUPPORT
THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Complete the relevant worksheets to an acceptable standard
Outline the functions of the respiratory system
Identify and outline the role of muscles involved in inspiration and expiration
Describe the process of exchange of gases in the alveoli
Explain the role of the circulatory and nervous systems in the control of breathing
Explain the following terms: tidal volume, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, vital capacity and residual volume
Identify the four main components of the circulatory system
Describe the cardiac cycle
Describe the heart and it’s associated blood vessels
Outline the flow of blood through the main vessels of the body
Explain the following terms: pulse, cardiac output and blood pressure
Describe the composition of blood and the function of its particles
Recognise the symptoms of Respiratory Failure
Recognise Cardiac Arrest
Demonstrate Basic Life Support (BLS)
DEMONSTRATE:
Establishing an airway
Turning a subject
Mouth to mouth and mouth to nose resuscitation on adult, child or infant
Effective skills to administer CPR with 1 operator on adult, child or infant
Removal of visible obstructions
Action for vomiting
Aftercare to include recovery position
Techniques for the relief of airway obstruction for conscious/unconscious subjects
Techniques for the relief of airway obstruction while dealing with subjects, who are pregnant or obese
BLS in two-operator mode
Unit 2 –Lifeguard Skills, Level 2
THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Demonstrate land-based rescues
Demonstrate non-contact rescues
Demonstrate evasive and defensive technique
Demonstrate appropriate contact rescues.
Demonstrate appropriate releases from Drowning Grips (IWS Rescue 2)
Demonstrate methods of towing a subject to safety
Demonstrate deep water resuscitation
Explain the principles of landing a subject with assistance
Demonstrate techniques for spinal injury management including stabilising,
boarding and landing
Describe and demonstrate the use of rescue equipment in pool emergency
situations e.g. ring buoys, reaching poles, etc.
Describe how rescue equipment should be maintained and stored
Those undertaking a Level 1 qualification are also required to demonstrate the above skills, but the techniques may be demonstrated in shallow water. Shallow water resuscitation must also be demonstrated
Unit 3 – Pool Operations
THE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE ABLE TO:
Identify the procedures involved in a Normal Operational Plan (NOP) including:
The number, location and function of the lifeguards; pool zoning;
the patrol system and safety checks
Maintaining safe water conditions (including water tests)
An awareness of pool water treatment and testing
Identify the procedures involved in an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) including:
Evacuation
Principles of first aid
Reporting and documenting of incidents
Use appropriate communication techniques with colleagues and the general public
in normal and emergency situations – oral, written and aural
Use observation techniques to ensure the safety of all pool users
Identify an appropriate course of action to avert dangerous situations in the pool and
its surrounds
Outline the safety requirements for groups using specialist equipment e.g. sub-aqua,
canoe polo, aqua aerobics, water polo
Outline the safety requirements for groups with special needs e.g. disabled, elderly,
children
Successfully complete a simulated accident situation as outlined by the examiner. (This may also include lifeguarding skills as outlined above.)
- Level 1 candidates can be examined in this section in water depths of 1.5m or less. Level 2 candidates and those upgrading from Level 1 to Level 2 must perform the above in water depths of at least 2m.
