News & Updates

As part of Safety Training Awards’ (STA) ongoing commitment to creating high quality professional qualifications which meet the needs of the industry, employers, and learners, STA is extremely proud to announce the new STA Level 3 Award for Pool Lifeguards qualification is now Live!

Building on the strong foundations of the Level 2 qualification, this new Level 3 offers enhanced curriculum content and an updated delivery model. The content has been expanded to further reflect that being a pool lifeguard is an important, professional role within the leisure industry, including enhanced ‘on-the-job’ knowledge and skills to support pool lifeguards being work-ready on certification.

In the same way for the Level 2, this new qualification aligns with HSG179: Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools, fully maps to the CIMSPA Professional Standard: Lifeguard, and follows a three-year revalidation cycle, aligned with First Aid at Work standards.

Alongside this, the structure has been modernised to include flexible blended learning, an optional backboard unit and integrated requirements for First Aid at Work certification – streamlining delivery and reducing duplication for both learners and ATCs.

Dual Certification

Following member requests, we are also extremely pleased to announce the launch of a free dual certification option where learners can automatically receive both STA Level 3 Award for Pool Lifeguards certificate and a separate STA Level 3 Award in Adult and Paediatric First Aid certificate, which covers the full First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid qualification content – with no need for duplicate assessments, administration or registrations.

Blended Learning

As part of this relaunch, there is now an option for blended learning and online refresher training with a new STA Pool Lifeguard online programme. The new blended learning option allows learners to complete up to 9 hours of theory online, which could reduce face-to-face contact time to 26 hours. This provides greater flexibility for ATCs and helps learners balance training with other commitments. A fully face-to-face option is still available, with a 35-hour duration – or 36 hours if the new optional backboard unit is included.

Optional Backboard Unit

The number of in-water emergencies where a spinal cord injury is suspected is very small, however where a risk assessment identifies that there is a risk of a spinal injury, pool lifeguards should be trained in the use of a suitable aquatic pool extraction board. Therefore, STA has provided an optional backboard unit that can be completed as part of the pool lifeguard qualification where learners require this additional training.

Note: For more information on dual certification, blended learning and the optional backboard unit, please see the qualification specification and tutor upskill.

Resources

To reflect the changes, the qualification resources have been updated, including:

• STA Pool Lifeguard Resource Manual (eManual / hard copy)
• STA Pool Lifeguard Online Programme
• Assessment Strategy
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Tutor Assessed Skills Sheet
• MCQ Assessment Paper
• Suggested Timetable
• Qualification Specification.

The new ‘interactive’ resource manuals contain updated imagery including QR codes which once scanned with a camera phone, direct to relevant video demonstrations. The resource manuals are available now within the STA Swim Shop

To deliver the updated pool lifeguard qualification, tutors must complete the FREE online STA Pool Lifeguard Upskill programme. The upskill holds a CPD value of ½ point and includes information on the course content, resources, and assessment requirements. It is recommended IQAs who wish to IQA the qualification complete the upskill. It would also benefit ATC co-ordinators.

The new resources and assessment materials must be used when delivering the updated STA pool lifeguard qualification.

Note: From 30th September 2025, the current pool lifeguard qualification will no longer be available for registration and all learners must be certificated on the current qualification by 31st December 2025.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.