Pool Emergency Responder

Pool emergency responders perform an essential role in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for pool users.

In accordance with HSE: Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179), where a site-specific risk assessment has shown that constant poolside supervision is not reasonably practicable, robust, alternative measures must be implemented to ensure the safety of pool users. When the pool is in use, there must be a safe system of work to identify a person in difficulty and ensure that a rescue can be performed. For example, in the absence of constant poolside supervision by pool lifeguards, there should be designated ‘on-call’ competent staff, to respond immediately to deal with any emergency. They should be suitably trained and capable of reaching the poolside in time to perform a rescue and provide emergency first aid if the alarm is raised.

Pool emergency responders fulfil this requirement and may assist operators of small, shallow pools, such as those typically found in hotels, in meeting their legal responsibilities.

Note: Shallow pools generally refers to pools where the water depth is 1.5m (5 ft) or less.

STA Award for Pool Emergency Responders aims to provide learners with the knowledge and practical competences required to be able to respond to an incident that may arise in small, shallow water swimming pools. They are able to perform basic life support, emergency first aid, shallow water rescues and support a casualty to prevent the situation from worsening until further assistance arrives.

Note: Pool emergency responders are not qualified pool lifeguards; therefore, they cannot offer constant poolside supervision for structured and unstructured sessions / activities for all pools.

STA Award for Pool Emergency Responders is suitable for learners who do not provide constant poolside supervision but are required to respond to an incident that may arise in small, shallow water swimming pools at work or in voluntary and community activities, or for personal interest and development.

How Will the Qualification Benefit You?

• Created by STA’s lifesaving experts, providing you with quality training
• 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]
• Endorsed by CIMSPA with 8 CIMSPA CPD points [Pending approval]
• Complies with the requirements of HSE: Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179), BS EN 15288 Part 2: Swimming Pools for Public Use – Safety Requirements for Operation, Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 and The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1982, First aid at work: The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981: Guidance on Regulations (L74), First Aid Awarding Organisation Forum Delivery Standards and Assessment Principles
• Training is in line with current Resuscitation Council (UK) Guidelines and accepted first aid practice
• Meets the Department for Education: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Frameworks for Childminders and for Group and School-based Providers, Health and Social Care Board (NI), Childminding and Day Care for children Under Age 12 Minimum Standards, Welsh Government: National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years criteria
• Provides in-depth knowledge and the confidence to potentially save someone’s life
• It will allow you to gain active employment as a pool emergency responder
• Looks great on a CV and can help give you a head start when applying for jobs
• Includes the STA Award in Adult and Paediatric Emergency First Aid syllabus (combined Emergency First Aid at Work and Emergency Paediatric First Aid), so you will receive an Adult and Paediatric Emergency First Aid certificate on successful completion of the course, meaning that you can also act as an emergency first aider using your Pool Emergency Responder qualification without having to attend a separate emergency first aid course.

When You Get Your Qualification

• It lasts for 2 years.
• Your course resource manual will act as a guide throughout the duration of your qualification, so it’s always there to refer back to should you ever need it
• We recommend that you attend ongoing training and competency assessment (OTCA) to keep your skills and knowledge up to date.

How to Take Your Qualification Further

STA Award for Pool Emergency Responders holders may wish to develop knowledge and skills further by completing other STA lifesaving qualifications or additional CPDs.

Learners may wish to complete additional STA qualifications such as pool lifeguard, swimming teaching, pool plant, manual handling and fire marshal to support a career in the leisure industry.

Experienced pool emergency responders may wish to become an STA Junior Lifeguard Instructor or an STA Lifesaving Tutor / Assessor to pass on the knowledge and skills they have acquired through training to others.

Lifesaving tutors from other Awarding Organisations can also apply for STA Lifesaving tutor status to deliver the STA Award for Pool Lifeguards by completing this application form.

Completed forms should be sent along with required supporting evidence to info@safetytrainingawards.co.uk.