CRITERIA: All lifeguards must hold current and valid National Pool Lifeguard Award.

HOW: Sight current and valid PLPC certificates for all lifeguards.

ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS:

• Evidence that all staff have undergone PLPC training and that an PLPC assessment has taken place and paperwork sent to Skills Active.
• NOP must clearly state that lifeguards who do not hold a current and valid PLPC will not be included in any supervision ratios.

NOTE: Assessors must be satisfied that the correct process has occurred and an honest attempt has been made to recover any missing certificates. Some lifeguards may still have the NPLA until the next revalidation to PLPC.

Total number of lifeguards on the facility roster = a) Skills Award            b) PLPC   7

CRITERIA: Every body of water is supervised by a qualified lifeguard (when open for use) at all times.

HOW: Review facility normal operating procedures (NOPs) relating to supervision.

ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS:

NOP must detail the way in which the pool should be supervised including reference to:

• The minimum number of lifeguards
• The area of water and physical obstacles each lifeguard supervises
• Supervision techniques and supervision of different activities
• How lifeguards communicate
• Leaving poolside

A facility schematic/s should be included detailing:

• Recommended Static Positions
• Patrolling routes 

The NOP should give poolside lifeguards as much information as they need to make informed minute-by-minute decisions on supervising the pool without being over prescriptive and too lengthy.  The following are some useful headings:

• Personal appearance and conduct of lifeguards (talking, grooming, uniform etc)
• Identification of risks
• Poolside first aid
• Customer behaviour

• 1. Acceptable behaviour
• 2. Unacceptable behaviour

• Supervision of different customer groups, (children, youth, special needs etc)
• Supervision of different activities, (lane swimming, diving boards etc)
• It is desirable that the normal operating procedures be cross referenced to any other similar procedures, for instance:

• 1. EAP
• 2. Health and Safety policies

NOTE: How the pool determines its supervision policies and sets out its plan are the domain of that particular pool.  The assessors' task is to verify that the essential components are present. Some pools do not publish detailed supervision policies.  If this is the case an oral description backed up with poolside observations and lifeguard questioning will suffice.

Facilities with Private Pools/Spas

• Private pools/spas must have signage clearly visible to say the area of water is not supervised
• NOP must clearly state procedures for dealing with the private pools/spa relative to the facility, for example (but not limited to)

•  
  • Time restriction in heated pools
  • Hydration advice
  • How pools are monitored (eg, alarms, regular checks)
  • Minimum age for bookings
  • Minimum number of people

The above list is a guide only - the detail is the domain of that particular pool.

CRITERIA: Confirmation that all pools are supervised according to NOP.

HOW: Visual check and questioning to verify that staff understand and apply pool supervision policy.

ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS:

• All water open for use is supervised by a lifeguard
• Any closed water is closed with a barrier or its access is supervised by a lifeguard
• Lifeguards must have an understanding of the rationale behind the individual pools policies and a grasp of the information contained in the policies; at a level whereby they are able to make sound decisions on how they supervise the pool on a minute by minute, second by second basis
• Lifeguards are not required to know or even recognise the technical terms or even names of policies
• Lifeguards should be asked to quote actual examples of the application of pool supervision policy (unless they just do not happen)
• Lifeguards should be given hypothetical situations and asked for their response. The response should mirror the rationale behind policy
• Lifeguard in charge must have an understanding of the rationale behind the policy and a grasp of the information contained in the policy
• Lifeguard in charge should be asked to quote pool supervision ratios
• Lifeguards should be given hypothetical situations and asked for their response. The response should mirror the rationale behind policy

Facilities with Private Pools/Spas

• Private pools/spas must have signage clearly visible to say the area of water is not supervised
• Lifeguards should be familiar with the guidelines of use as per the NOP