Emergency Response Pool (ER-Pool)

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How Will the Qualification Benefit Your Business?

Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools states: 

“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 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.” Paragraph 113 of the HSE publication

The ER-Pool Programme is a rescue award; it is designed for individuals who have a responsibility to respond to a swimming pool in the event of an emergency, either to perform a rescue or assist a lifeguard team.

The ER-Pool Programme is not intended to replace a lifeguard qualification, such as the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). The NPLQ includes more detailed training and content to prepare someone to supervise a swimming pool directly.

For swimming pools that require direct supervision, it is recommended the RLSS UK NPLQ is used. More details can be found here.

Who Can Complete ER-Pool Training?

Any staff employed at the venue, e.g.,

• Receptionists
• Spa hosts
• Chefs
• Waiting staff
• Housekeeping
• Maintenance staff
• Duty Managers
• Gym staff

What Does ER-Pool Involve?

A two-day course which will give your employees knowledge and practical training to:

• Rescue a casualty in the event of being alerted to an emergency
• Recover a casualty to poolside
• Perform vital First Aid, including CPR and AED

The trainer can also award a regulated Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work qualification and a regulated Level 2 Automated External Defibrillator qualification (AED).


The ER-Pool qualification is valid for two years following successful completion.

What are the prerequisites?

• Be able to swim a minimum of 25m on your front and back
• Be able to surface dive to the deepest part of the pool and climb out without help and without using steps or ladders (where venue design permits)
• Be aged 16 or older at the beginning of the course

How much does it cost?

Prices vary according to the modules taken – to find out if you qualify for our special offer, please contact [email protected] or call us on 0300 3230 096.


How to Become an ER-Pool Trainer Assessor?

If you are already a fully qualified RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Trainer Assessor, simply complete the online opportunity in your RLSS UK Account (powered by tahdah). If not, please contact us by completing the below online enquiry form.

Book a Course 

For individual or bookings of one to three places, visit RLSS UK Course Finder.

For bookings for four or more people, complete and submit an Emergency Response Pool Enquiry Form, and a member of the RLSS UK team will be in touch.