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Rookie Lifeguard Programme
at World of Swimming

At World of Swimming, we’re passionate about teaching vital life skills that go beyond traditional swimming lessons. That’s why we’re proud to offer the Rookie Lifeguard Programme, developed by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK).

The Rookie Lifeguard Programme is a fun, safe, and engaging way for children to learn water safety, rescue skills, and survival techniques, while continuing to build their swimming ability and confidence in the water. It’s the perfect next step for children who have mastered the basics of swimming and are ready to take on a new challenge.

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Who can join the Rookie Lifeguard Programme?

  • Suitable for children aged 8+
  • Able to meet the swimming skills at the Stage 7 Swim England Learn to Swim programme or an equivalent level (e.g. swim 25 metres front and back stroke)
  • A great option for children who want to improve water safety knowledge, or who may one day consider becoming a lifeguard
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Stage 1 – Bronze Awards

  • Enter shallow water safely and confidently and wade
  • Tread water and signal for help
  • Swim continuously in clothing for 50m
  • Swim Lifesaving Backstroke
  • Scull head and feet- first
  • Hold the ‘HELP’ position
  • Demonstrate a non-swimmer, weak swimmer, and an unconscious casualty
  • Demonstrate a ‘Shout and Signal’ rescue
  • Throw an aid
  • Demonstrate a reach rescue
  • Enter deep water safely and confidently
  • Perform a feet-first surface dive and swim underwater
  • Climb out in deep water without using the steps
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Stage 2 – Silver Awards

  • Swim continuously in clothing for 200m on your front and back
  • Demonstrate a reaching rescue
  • Throw a buoyant aid to a casualty 8m away
  • Enter shallow water and wade to a casualty
  • Using a throwing aid, instruct the casualty on what to do
  • Using a rigid aid, instruct the casualty on what to do
  • The support position
  • Tread water for 3 minutes
  • Swimming, surface dives and object recovery
  • Shallow turn and rescue an ‘unconscious casualty’
  • Coil and throw a rope to a casualty 10m away and pull it to the side in less than 45 seconds
  • Enter deep water using a straddle jump
  • Demonstrate a fall-in entry into clear, deep water
  • Swim 20m continuously with your head out of the water on your front
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Stage 3 – Gold Awards

  • Coil and throw a rope to a casualty and pull to the side
  • Swim 400m continuously in clothing
  • Demonstrate Lifesaving Backstroke, Sidestroke, Breaststroke or Front Crawl
  • Tread water, remove clothing, then swim 50m
  • Climb out of deep water unaided
  • Demonstrate fall-in, compact jump or shallow dive
  • Demonstrate a Reverse
  • Demonstrate a Standoff
  • Rescue an unconscious casualty at depth in less than 2 minutes 30 seconds
  • Demonstrate supported rescue breathing whilst waiting for help
  • Demonstrate the support position
  • Demonstrate non-contact rescues
  • Treat for shock
  • Hand signals
  • Using any recognised competitive stroke, swim 400m continuously, in less than 12 minutes
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