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Home - Training - Lifeguard - Beach - Skills and Knowledge

Beach Lifeguard Assessment Syllabus

Issue 3.1 (summer 2004)

This is the assessment you will have to complete at the end of the course. All aspects will be covered and practised regularly during training. For reasons of time the assessment cannot cover everything that will be taught, but it is designed to test your knowledge and skills on the whole syllabus.

The qualification is in two units:

UNIT 1 - Principles of beach supervision and rescue

Element A - THEORY

For the assessment you will need to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following by answering to the satisfaction of the Assessor one question on each of the following topics and an additional two questions selected at random:

Questions and responses will be in accordance with the principles and practices set out in the current RLSS UK publication Beach Lifeguarding.

Element B - LIFE SUPPORT

You will be expected to perform life support skills to an excellent standard.

B1 - Demonstration of simulated rescue breathing

"This is a demonstration on a live simulated casualty of the correct diagnosis and initial stages of treatment for a person who seems to be unconscious and not breathing, following a rescue from water. It will include simulated rescue breathing, action for vomiting and the recovery position. You have just come across this person show me what you would do."

B2 - Demonstration of Adult Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

"This is a demonstration on an approved adult manikin of the assessment of a casualty who seems to be unconscious and not breathing, followed by a 3 minute sequence of CPR using the techniques appropriate for a single rescuer. You have just come across this casualty show me what you would do."

B3 - Demonstration of 2-person CPR, using barrier rescue breathing

"This is a demonstration of 2 person CPR using an approved pocket mask for a period of 3 minutes."

B4 - Demonstration of CPR on a child manikin

"This is a demonstration on a child manikin of the assessment of a child casualty who seems to be unconscious and not breathing, followed by a 3 minute sequence of CPR."

B5 - Demonstration of CPR on a baby manikin

"This is a demonstration on a baby manikin of the assessment of a baby casualty who seems to be unconscious and not breathing, followed by a 3 minute sequence of CPR."

B6 - Incident Management

Show competence in the application of life support skills in a staged incident that requires the demonstration, the diagnosis and treatment of two casualties.

B7 - Knowledge and Understanding of Basic Life Support

Answer 1 question on each of the following topics:

Element C - FIRST AID

C1 - Knowledge and Understanding

Demonstrate underpinning knowledge and understanding of the following by answering one question from each of the following topics:

C2 - First Aid Incident Management

This test forms part of Unit 2, the application of lifeguard skills and knowledge.

Element D - Practical Assessment - POOL

D1 - Timed Swim

Swim 400 metres in 8 minutes or less (in swimwear). The time for the first 200m will also be recorded. Goggles may be worn.

D2 - Unconscious casualty rescue

Using a torpedo buoy, swim 100m to a floating casualty who can be considered to be unconscious and not breathing. Demonstrate deep water supported Rescue Breathing and return over 100m to a point of entry. Continue Rescue Breathing on the return. Land with trained assistance and place in the recovery position.

D3 – Personal Safety

Demonstrate two escapes, and two defences.

Rescue of two locked swimmers - taking a torpedo buoy, enter the water and swim up to 10m to two casualties in deep water who are locked together. Effect a rescue and bring both casualties to safety.

Element E – Practical Assessment - BEACH

You must have successfully completed Element D before being assessed for Element E.

E1 - Unconscious Casualty

E2 - Conscious Casualty

Equipment - swim fins are permitted but all equipment must be carried from the start of the test.

E3 - Rescue of two locked swimmers

UNIT 2 - Application of Beach Safety Management and Rescue Procedures

This unit is intended to take the skills and knowledge acquired during the Unit 1 training and put them into an applied environment that relates to the specific nature and equipment of the venue at which the training is being delivered.

Employment at the training facility is NOT a pre-requisite for completion of the elements of either unit. All participants on a course can complete both of the units at the training venue.

Where a lifeguard goes on to be employed elsewhere, it is a management responsibility to ensure that the relevant site specific training is incorporated into an induction course.

NB - Unit 2 training for NSVL courses will be for Whitley Bay beach, with the option to do site specific training for the very different beaches of Cullercoats, Tynemouth Longsands and King Edward's Bay.

Practical Assessment

Work within the Beach Safety Operating Procedures at the training and assessment venue to effectively manage an emergency incident.

The test should include appropriate elements of the Normal Operating Procedures as well as the implementation of the Emergency Action Plan in dealing with an emergency. This may not be a mjor emergency but should give the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate a sound knowledge of their role, demonstrate a wide range of skills and utilise equipment available at the site.

The incident may have up to three casualties with lifeguards working in a team situation and should incorporate the following:

Following the completion of the practical tests the candidate will complete the appropriate post-incident paperwork and answer questions to justify their actions to demonstrate their underpinning knowledge of their skills.

SPECIALIST UNITS

Training for some specialist units will be incorporated in the course, while others require additional training. The following units are available:

These units are in addition to the basic qualification and it is the responsibility of beach operators to set down whether any of these units are required for their sites.

END OF ALL TESTS

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