What is the work of Red Cross?

If I have an American Red Cross Lifeguarding qualification can I work in the UK or do I need an NPLQ?

• I worked at a Summer camp in America this summer and became a qualified American Red cross lifeguard and also taught swim classes. (I was suppose to do an NPLQ before I left but it ...show more

• Answer:

  I think it will largely depend on your prospective employer's policy. I found the following text in the IQL website FAQ: " Lifeguard Qualifications from abroad Can I use my Lifeguard qualification from abroad in the UK? The responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of both employees and members of the public in swimming pools in the UK is that of the employer, the pool operator. It is set out in the Health and Safety at Work, etc., Act 1974. This includes the decision on whom to employ as a pool lifeguard. Pool operators rely upon the guidance published by the Health and Safety Executive [HSE], in fulfilling this responsibility. That guidance is contained in a publication, "Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools" [2003], which has a specification for a pool lifeguarding qualification. It is the pool operator who decides if a particular qualification meets that specification. RLSS UK, through IQL (its specialist pool lifeguarding body), provides a pool lifeguarding qualification, the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification [NPLQ], which meets the specification in the above HSE publication. We recommend that qualification to pool operators. We are unable to evaluate other qualifications." So, the IQL recommends its own course. What a surprise. That said, so long as you have the required skills that an NPLQ lifeguard would have, then some employers might be willing to give you a go, although probably only on condition that you get your NPLQ within, say, 3-6 months of starting work. You would likely have to do a very thorough 'interview', including demonstrating all the necessary rescue and CPR skills. Others may simply require that you have the 'industry standard' qualification before you start. For example in the case of leisure management companies running municipal sports facilities (e.g. my previous employers), their contract with the local authority may specifically require the NPLQ (for liability reasons). However, for a big multi-sports centre you may well be able to find 'dryside' employment (e.g. as a cleaner, café staff, receptionist, etc.), even if you aren't allowed to work on poolside... yet. Bear in mind also that most lifeguarding/CPR certifications are only valid for a limited time (2 years, for the NPLQ), so even if you got a lifeguarding job, you would likely have to re-qualify as a lifeguard/ do the NPLQ course at some point within the next 18 months anyway. Good luck.