RLSS OPEN WATER Lifeguard TRAINING (OWL)

The Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification equips lifeguards with the skills to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised, and risk-assured activities in still, non-tidal water.

The OWL course is delivered over a minimum of 3 days and covers a range of CPR, first aid, and open water skills.

The OWL course includes both a practical and theory assessment. 

Upon qualifying with the Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification, the certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of successful completion.

Candidates must be over 16 years old and:

• Be competent and confident in jumping and diving into deep open water.
• Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/open water, swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency.
• Be able to submerge under the water confidently.
• No prior first aid knowledge is required.

New candidates: 18 hours + assessment
Renewal candidates: 10 hours + assessment 

1 Day Course OWL Course

A 1-day Open OWL course—or "bolt-on" qualification—is a 7-hour program designed for individuals who already hold a valid RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). The intensive day covers open water hazards, emergency response, and CPR. 

Next Courses:

1 day course - 11th September 2026

Otley Sailing Club, Bridge End Quarry, Otley, LS21 2SU

3 day Course - details coming soon

The Open Water Emergency Rescue Award is designed to assist you in responding to an emergency within an open water environment. Any staff member can use it to rescue and provide first aid. It is suitable for any staff who would support the lifeguard team. 

This award is an excellent foundation for becoming a lifeguard and completing the RLSS UK Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) qualification. 

Candidates must be over 16 years old and:

• Be able to swim 100m continuously on their front
• Jump/dive into deep water
• Submerge under the water confidently

The course is 12 hours in duration and is deliverable in two days. 

Topics covered during the course include:

Module 1 – The Emergency Rescuer’s Role, Environment and Hazards
Module 2 – Responding to an Emergency and Taking Action
Module 3 – CPR and First Aid

Approved Prior Learning (APL) can be taken into consideration in certain circumstances. Please contact us to discuss in more detail.

To achieve the Open Water Emergency Rescue Award, candidates must pass an ongoing assessment throughout the course in the form of theory and practical assessment. Candidate renewals must complete the course and assessment as a new candidate.

Next Courses:

Course details coming soon

The Pool to Pond award, has been designed to help pool swimmers prepare for their journey into open water. As more and more people seek the opportunity to try open water swimming there is a growing need for a guided pathway, ensuring swimmers acquire basic information, and develop skills and fitness required to keep them safe.

The award is designed to support individuals making the transition from pool swimmer to an open water swimmer. Participants will be taken through a guided introduction to Open Water, outlining essential information, sharing top tips and teaching some core skills.

Throughout the course participants will be invited to share experiences so they learn together with fellow swimmers.

The resources are split into the following sections:

1. Common Fears and Phobias
2. Health and Welfare
3. Open Water Equipment
4. Planning Your Swim

 The award has been designed to be delivered flexibly to meet the needs of participants with a typical course delivered over 5 sessions. Sessions 1-4 based within a classroom and swimming pool environment and then the 5th session delivered at an open water venue allowing participants to swim in open water. 

The course is 12 hours in duration and is deliverable in two days. 

Topics covered during the course include:

Module 1 – The Emergency Rescuer’s Role, Environment and Hazards
Module 2 – Responding to an Emergency and Taking Action
Module 3 – CPR and First Aid

Prior learning achievement can be taken into consideration in certain circumstances. Please contact us to discuss in more detail.

Next Courses:

Course details coming soon