Emergency Response Pool Programme (4th Edition)

The Emergency Response Pool qualification is designed to assist operators to meet these requirements. The Emergency Response Programme is also designed to train staff to back up and support the lifeguard team (if available) and staff to respond to an emergency. To comply with the HSE publication ‘Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools’, pool operators are strongly recommended to refer to figure 3 on page 66, to determine if continuous or occasional poolside supervision is required.

“Constant poolside supervision by lifeguards provides the best assurance of pool user’s safety.”

‘MANAGING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SWIMMING POOLS’, HSG 179

The Emergency Response Pool programme (ER Pool)

The ER-Pool is a responder qualification designed to train staff to respond to a swimming pool emergency once the alarm has been raised.

ER Pool is designed for small pools no greater than 1.5m in depth such as health club or hotel pool.

This qualification is an ideal skill for those working within the leisure and hospitality industry including Fitness Instructors, Catering Staff, Receptionists and Engineers. 

By the end of the course candidates will understand their roles in responding and rescue.

They will know their responsibilities, the importance of maintaining standards, employer’s role and the uniform and equipment requirements.

Course Features

• High-quality training

• First Aid training including CPR and life-saving skills

• Level 1 equivalent qualification

• Emergency Response Pool certificate upon successful completion

• Physical training

• Theoretical classroom work

• Practical in-water & out-of-water assessment on pool rescue

The Emergency Response qualification & course is provided by RLSS UK, the content is split over 4 areas which include:

• Pool Safety Theory
• Life Support
• Emergency First Aid
• Water Rescue Skills

During this 2-day course we will cover:

• The emergency responder’s role, Pool Safety Operating Procedures, types of pools & swimmer safety information.
• Responding to an emergency and the Emergency Action Plan.
• Managing spinal injuries.
• CPR and First Aid (optional Automation External Defibrillator (AED) Element).
• Managing an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally.
• Managing an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally.
• Management of a casualty with external bleeding.
• Management of a casualty who is in shock.
• Management of a casualty with a minor injury.

Cost & Identification

For identification purposes we require that all candidates bring photo ID with them. The cost includes all course materials, examination and your certificate from the RLSS. Costing will depend on the venue and numbers £85 - £150.

Location & Times

Will depend on the Venue of the course.

Sessions are split between classroom and pool location in the venue of the course. The course is 2 days long and runs from 8:45am - 4:30pm. There will be regular 15 minute breaks at the instructor’s discretion plus 1 hour for lunch. we recommend candidates bring a packed lunch.

Course Notes

As part of the course you will be provided with your own copy of The Emergency Response Pool Programme (4th Edition) as reference material for the classroom sessions. It is essential however that you make notes to compliment this resource and as such you must bring a notepad and pen with you.

What to Wear

For classroom sessions there will be a practical element to the training so please wear clothes that you will be comfortable rolling around on the floor in as part of the first aid and CPR training. For work in the pool you will need to bring a swimming costume plus a t shirt and shorts that you are comfortable swimming in (you may also wear goggles).