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 Award for Pool Emergency Responders (PER) qualification is now Live!

In accordance with STA’s qualification review procedures, the new PER qualification has been reviewed and redeveloped considering all feedback received and in consultation with a working group consisting of employers, tutors and subject matter experts.

The updated PER qualification is regulated by Ofqual (England), Qualification Wales (Wales) and CCEA Regulation (Northern Ireland) at Level 3 and accredited by Qualifications Scotland Accreditation at SCQF Level 6 [Pending approval]. It is also endorsed by CIMSPA with 8 CIMSPA CPD points[Pending approval].

Building on the strong foundations of the previous qualification, this new qualification has been modernised to include flexible blended learning, an optional backboard unit and integrated requirements for Emergency First Aid at Work certification – streamlining delivery and reducing duplication for both learners and ATCs.

Dual Certification

Following member requests, we are extremely pleased to announce the launch of a free dual certification option where learners can automatically receive both STA Award for Pool Emergency Responders certificate and a separate STA Award in Adult and Paediatric Emergency First Aid certificate, which covers the full Emergency First Aid at Work and Emergency 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 Emergency Responder online programme. The new blended learning option allows learners to complete up to 5 hours of theory online, which could reduce face-to-face contact time to 11 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 16-hour duration – or 17 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 emergency responders 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 emergency responder 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 Emergency Responder Resource Manual (eManual / hard copy)
• STA Pool Emergency Responder Online Programme
• Assessment Strategy
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Tutor Assessed Skills Sheet
• MCQ Assessment Paper
• Suggested Timetable
• Qualification Specification.

STA has also produced new on-course activity resources to support learning. These include hazard identification resources and scenario cards.

To deliver the updated pool emergency responder qualification, tutors must complete the FREE online STA Pool Emergency Responder Tutor 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 emergency responder qualification.

Resource Manuals

The new STA Pool Emergency Responder Resource Manual v26.2 is now available in electronic format from the STA Swim-Shop. Hard-copy manuals are also available to pre-order, with delivery expected from Monday 12th October.

The following resources can continue to be used during the transition period:

• STA Pool Emergency Responder Resource Manual Version 1.0, together with the STA First Aid / Lifesaving Resource Manuals Addendum v26.2; and
• STA Pool Emergency Responder Manual v26.1.

These resources may be used for current STA Award for Pool Emergency Responder courses and they may also be used for the new STA Award for Pool Emergency Responders qualification during the transition period. However, tutors must ensure that all updated technical content is covered if using the v26.1 manual, this can be achieved using the new resources such as PowerPoint presentation. Tutors should also note that references to manual pages within the new course resources relate to the new resource manual.

From 1st January 2027, all courses, registered and delivered, must be the new STA Award for Pool Emergency Responders qualification.

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