Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA)

Equipping swimming teachers, coaches, and poolside staff to safely perform water rescues and provide basic life support in swimming pool emergencies

What you can expect from the Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA)

The Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA) is designed for poolside staff and staff working in hotels, spas, gyms, and leisure facilities who may be required to respond to poolside emergencies - even if even if they are not qualified lifeguards. This qualification equips candidates with the essential skills to perform a rescue and provide basic life support until help arrives.

To enrol all candidates must be at least 16 years old at the time of the final assessment and must also be able to:

Swim 20 metres continuously on the front and back

Surface dive to the floor of the pool

Water confidence and ability to tread water

Upcoming courses

Pool Emergency Rescue

Flexible

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Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA)

For poolside staff and staff working in hotels, spas, gyms, and leisure facilities who may be required to respond to poolside emergencies.

Location: Flexible

SPERA

Gain the Confidence & Skills to Deal with Emergencies

The SPERA course provides the knowledge and confidence to deal with a range of poolside emergencies. It is ideal for teachers, instructors, or anyone who may have to undertake a rescue or assist a swimmer in difficulty during their normal duties. It meets the requirements of the RLSS National Rescue Award for Swimming Teachers and Coaches (NRASTC) and is widely recognised by leisure centres, swim schools, and local authorities.

Course Purpose

The purpose of the Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA) is to give swimming teachers, coaches, and poolside staff the essential skills and confidence to respond effectively to emergencies in a swimming pool environment. It prepares participants to recognise hazards, carry out safe water rescues, and deliver basic life support until professional help arrives, ensuring a safer environment for all pool users.

During the course you will gain the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to:

Who is the course for?

The Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA) is ideal for individuals working in or around swimming pool environments who may be required to respond to emergencies - even if they are not qualified lifeguards.

This course is particularly suited to:

• Hotel & Spa Staff - Responsible for guest safety near pools or hydrotherapy areas

• Hotel, gym, leisure centre receptionists - Who may be first on scene in an emergency

• Duty managers & poolside attendants - Supporting unsupervised or low-supervision pools

• Educational staff - Working in schools or colleges with swimming facilities

Anyone seeking to improve their confidence and capability in aquatic emergency response

Whether you're part of a swim school, leisure centre, or hospitality team, SPERA provides practical, nationally recognised training that supports safer pool operations and strengthens your professional profile.

What you'll cover

Recognise potential hazards

Prevent accidents

Respond to a swimmer in difficulty

Perform safe water rescues

Provide basic life support (BLS)

Administer first aid

Assessment

The Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA) is assessed through both practical and theoretical evaluations to ensure candidates can confidently apply their skills in real-life situations. The assessment takes place at the end of the course and is conducted by an RLSS UK approved assessor.

Assessment includes:

Practical pool-based rescue test
Basic Life Support (BLS) including CPRs
First aid responses to common swimming pool incidents
A short theory paper on pool safety, hazards, & emergency procedures

Progression & Next Steps

The Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA) is an excellent qualification for poolside staff, staff in hotels, spas and gyms. It provides a solid foundation in rescue and first aid, making it ideal for those looking to strengthen their role within swim schools, leisure centres, or educational settings. It enhances a team’s ability to respond to emergencies, supports safer pool operations, and demonstrates a proactive approach to guest safety. It’s especially relevant for venues where lifeguards may not always be present, or where staff are expected to assist in emergencies.

While not a lifeguard qualification, SPERA can complement a venue’s Normal Operating Procedures (NOP) and Emergency Action Plan (EAP), helping staff act confidently and responsibly in critical moments. It also enhances professional credibility and contributes to a safer, more responsive environment for guests and members.

For those wishing to develop their skills further, the SPERA can also act as a stepping stone towards higher-level qualification such as the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), opening up opportunities to work as a qualified lifeguard or take on broader responsibilities in the leisure and aquatic industry.