Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate
To work as a pool lifeguard in New Zealand, you need to hold a nationally-recognised qualification. The Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate (PLPC) is the minimum qualification you can have.
PLPC will give you everything you need to get started, and it's a great first step towards becoming a highly-skilled lifeguard.
To train as a pool lifeguard in New Zealand, you must be at least 16 years old on the day you begin training.
Talk to your employer about requirements for checks under the Children's Act 2014 relevant to your role.
And to enrol in this programme, you need to be working in a paid job at a pool or an aquatic facility, or as a volunteer with regular and consistent shifts.
If you don't have a role lined up, contact us to talk about how we can help.
Before you start PLPC, you will be asked to complete a swim test, and you need to hold a current First Aid certificate.
You'll be trained, observed and assessed in the workplace. There are two stages to completing the programme.
Stage 1: Training and assessment
- Understanding the roles and responsibilities of pool lifeguards
- Understanding aquatic supervision techniques
- Demonstrating aquatic rescue techniques for casualties in a range of scenarios.
After completing Stage 1, you will have earned your Pool Lifeguard Skills Award.
Stage 2: On job-validation
- Completing a facility induction
- Completing a written health and safety assessment
- Completing the Pool Lifeguard Logbook (which includes 20 hours of poolside supervision, facility inspections, dealing with hazards, supervising pool areas and aquatic activities).
After completing Stage 2, you will have completed your Pool Lifeguard Practising Certificate!
PLPC is part of the New Zealand Certificate in Aquatics – Pool Lifeguard (Level 3). After completing the certificate, contact us if you're interested in taking your career up a level and enrolling in the Level 3 certificate.