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This Skill Set provides the skills to supervise the safety of participants in aquatic recreation facilities and manage water-based rescues and emergencies. The primary objective of a Pool Lifeguard at an aquatic location is to supervise patrons within the aquatic environment and to assist in preventing drowning.

The course applies to individuals who may be required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.


Units Delivered

The following units will be included in your certificate:

SISSS00133 - Pool Lifeguard
SISCAQU021 - Perform complex water rescues
SISCAQU022 - Provide oxygen resuscitation and therapy in an aquatic environment
HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
SISCAQU020 - Perform water rescues
SISCAQU019 - Supervise patron safety in aquatic locations
HLTAID011 - Provide First Aid

Course Delivery

This course can be delivered/assessed in the workplace or at facility organised by the training provider.

Course Durations

Course durations can vary for multiple reasons, so the durations below are the minimum possible amount.

Face-to-Face Face to Face contact time of at least 27 Hours
Online with face-to-face assessment Face to Face contact time of at least 18 Hours

An individual undertaking this course with Allens Training Pty Ltd will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:

  • An official form of photo identification (e.g., driver’s licence, passport, or student ID).
  • Physical capability to be able to meet the demands of the practical demonstration skills including:
    • CPR*
    • Swim 25 metres and perform a 25 metre non-contact tow of a casualty. Working as a team, extract a casualty from deep water using extraction equipment and demonstrate advanced resuscitation techniques
    • Swim 10 metres and then complete a minimum 10 metre contact tow of a conscious casualty and remove the casualty from the water without assistance.
    • Perform a rescue of a casualty with suspected spinal injury using spinal immobilisation extraction techniques and equipment
    • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at the deepest part of the pool at the aquatic facility (but no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty. 
    • Visual acuity to see the common visual signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water which includes “lack of movement” and ”arm waving”
    • Hear the common visual signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water which includes “calling for help”

Please note, if you plan to work as a Pool Lifeguard, the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations note there are minimum age, health and fitness requirements of persons employed to be performing the role of a Pool Lifeguard. The Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO) SV11 Pool Lifeguard Health Assessments outlines the criteria regarding vision, hearing, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, pregnancy and immunizations. SV12 Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessments outlines the criteria to ensure lifeguards are physically fit enough to perform the required tasks and to provide a measure of safety should an emergency occur that requires physical ability.

There may be an additional on-the-job licensing requirement for pool lifeguards working in NSW. Please check with your employer if you are required to apply for a Pool Lifeguard Licence.


*Important note: In order to issue an accredited certificate, CPR must be performed on the floor and rescue breathing techniques demonstrated on manikins, with no exemptions.


The online learning program can be found in the student portal. Students must have access to a computer, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device with access to the internet to complete the online studies and practical assessment.

Delivery mode: Online with face-to-face - The online pre-course learning and theory assessment is expected to take approximately 8 hours to complete. These timeframes are estimates. Individuals with prior experience in similar training may complete the online component in less time, while those new to the subject may need more time to complete all the learning content and theory questions.



Individuals undertaking this course will be expected to complete both written and practical assessment tasks.

This certificate has an industry recommended renewal period of 12 months

Please note that enrolment to this course is made with Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909. Please refer to the student handbook located on the RTO website allenstraining.com.au (https://allenstraining.com.au/students/student-handbook) for all details relating to rights and responsibilities including complaints and appeals.

Performance Tasks

  • Performance Task – Infant and Child CPR
  • Performance Tasks – Medical, Trauma & Environmental (Tasks 1 – 8)
    • Anaphylaxis
    • Asthma
    • Choking
    • Non-life-threatening-bleeding, minor wound cleaning & shock
    • Nosebleed
    • Fractures & dislocations
    • Sprains and strains
    • Envenomation (snake/ funnel-web spider bite)
  • Identify the casualty’s illness or injury through history, signs and symptoms. 
  • Recognise and respond to three (3) supervision scenarios
  • Participate in a discussion with an aquatic industry leader to clarify safety rules for the activity
  • Identify the common signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water and possible contributing factors
  • Demonstrate fitness, strength, efficiency and speed, to perform the following aquatic rescues:
    • Two (2) non-swim rescues – reach and throw
    • Swim 25 metres and perform a 25 metre non-contact tow of a casualty.  Provide oxygen therapy for shock.
    • Swim 10 metres and then complete a minimum 10 metre contact tow of a conscious casualty and remove the casualty from the water without assistance.
    • Perform a rescue of a casualty with suspected spinal injury using spinal immobilisation techniques and extraction equipment
    • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at the deepest part of the pool at the aquatic facility (but no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty and demonstrate advanced resuscitation techniques.

Documentation – complete two (2) Incident Report forms and an Equipment Fault Log 

Theory assessment – A written exam consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions must be completed at the end of the training session. Students must answer all questions

Students are required to complete a self evaluation against the following core skills as part of the enrolment process. This will allow your trainer to understand any additional support that may be required during the course delivery and assessment.
Learning I can stay focused, follow steps, and respond calmly to unexpected situations in busy or shared spaces like pools or other aquatic environments.
Reading I can read and understand detailed signs, safety rules, and instructions in places where water safety is important.
Writing I can write clear notes or reports about an incident, including what happened and what actions were taken.
Oral Communication I can speak clearly and confidently with others in both everyday situations and during emergencies.
Numeracy I can use numbers to track time, check pool depths, and judge distances to help make safe decisions.
This course is delivered and assessed on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909