New qualification for New Zealand’s pool lifeguards

In a week when the effectiveness of New Zealand’s pool lifeguards has been question, a brand lifeguard qualification has been launched with the aim of ensuring that pool lifeguards head into summer equipped with the latest knowledge and training.

Skills Active Aotearoa, the industry training organisation for aquatics, launched the new NZ Certificate in Aquatics (Pool Lifeguard) Level 3 at the annual New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA)'s Just Add Water conference in Christchurch this week.

Skills Active Chief Executive Dr Grant Davidson says the new Pool Lifeguard training and assessment materials have been developed with NZRA, and they draw on broad consultation with those working in the industry.

Dr Davidson explained “lifeguards wanted more detailed photos, clearer questions, and more stringent assessment settings, to ensure their skills were fully tested.

“The new training manual has a great deal more photos, including detailed underwater shots. There are more examples, explanations of new terms and topics, and information about recent changes to knowledge and practice - including updated guidance from the New Zealand Resuscitation Council.

“The qualification also includes a shorter written assessment, which is now closed book.”

NZRA Aquatics Project Manager Tracey Prince says the Association is happy to see the Pool Lifeguard programme completed and ready for the upcoming influx of new lifeguards who are training for the summer season.

Prince added “we appreciate the time and effort that many of our members have contributed to the review and redevelopment of this qualification, and would like to acknowledge the outstanding team at Skills Active for the work they have done on this key qualification for the aquatics industry.” 

Click here for more information on the Skills Active Aotearoa website.

11th August 2017 - SKILLS ACTIVE AOTEAROA: NEW ZEALAND’S POOL LIFEGUARDS HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND WELL-SUPPORTED

10th August 2017 - NZRA: ‘NEW ZEALAND’S AQUATICS INDUSTRY AND POOL LIFEGUARDS ARE NOT FAILING’ 

9th August 2017 - IFSTA’S DAVID SPEECHLEY SUGGESTS POOL LIFEGUARDS ARE FAILING IN AQUATIC SAFETY 

29th May 2017 - NZRA INVITES NOMINATIONS FOR ANNUAL AQUATIC INDUSTRY AWARDS

21st April 2017 - ROYAL LIFE SAVING LAUNCHES NATIONAL AQUATIC INDUSTRY SAFETY AWARDS 

27th March 2017 - SKILLS ACTIVE LAUNCHES WORKFORCE PLANNING TOOLKIT FOR SPORT AND RECREATION EMPLOYERS

14th December 2016 - SKILLS ACTIVE MAPS THE WAY FOR SPORT AND RECREATION CAREERS

24th October 2016 - BEST PRACTICE AQUATIC INDUSTRY GUIDELINES FROM THE NZRA

16th June 2016 - ROTORUA AQUATIC CENTRE PASSES POOLSAFE ACCREDITATION

31st January 2015 - DOWNWARD TREND IN NEW ZEALAND DROWNINGS

17th February 2014 - NEW ZEALAND’S BIG PICTURE OF ITS AQUATIC, RECREATION AND SPORT FACILITY NETWORK 

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