Lifeguards or pool attendants look after the safety of people using a swimming pool, or are in open water, and rescue anyone who gets into difficulty.
The Work
You could be:
walking around the edge of the pool or up and down the beach and sitting in a high seat, watching people in the pool or sea
watching people carefully, making sure that no-one is in danger and that swimmers use flumes, chutes and diving boards safely
jumping into the pool or sea to help anyone in difficulty, swimming to the person and helping them out the water
carrying out first aid, including artificial respiration
stopping rowdy or dangerous behaviour
dealing with any accidents out of the water – for example people slipping on wet surfaces
cleaning the pool area and facilities such as whirlpool baths, spas, saunas and showers
monitoring and maintaining the water quality in the pool, and checking equipment such as heating or ventilation units, filters and pumps
supervising changing rooms, keeping them clean and tidy, checking lockers and reporting missing keys.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Recent job adverts for pool attendants and lifeguards in Scotland have been ranging between £10.00 and £17.00 an hour. Lifeguards working with local authority swimming pools can earn around £27,500 a year.
Conditions
You will work shifts including evenings, weekends and public holidays – you may be able to work overtime.
Part time work is common.
You may get casual work at weekends or during the summer.
Near the pool, it will be damp, noisy and probably smell of chlorine.
You will wear a uniform (usually shorts and a T-shirt) when you are working.
You must be a strong, confident swimmer – swimming ability is more important than educational qualifications.
You need a current lifeguard qualification. In Scotland this would be the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) offered by the Royal Life Saving Society UK. See their website for details.
You must be at least 16 years of age, and be able to swim 50 metres in less than a minute and be able to swim 100 metres in deep water on your front and back without stopping. You should be able to tread in deep water for 30 seconds, surface dive to the bottom of the pool to pick up an object and climb out of the pool unaided (no use of ladders or steps).
You should be physically fit.
You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
Jobs are in local authority swimming pools, health and fitness centres, hotels, activity holiday centres, leisure centres and with the RNLI.
careful and accurate in checking the water quality and filters and using chemicals
able to remain calm, react quickly and take charge in an emergency
willing to take responsibility
pleasant and friendly
assertive – to deal firmly with rowdy or difficult people.
Training
Introductory training is on the job and should include health and safety.
If you do not have a first aid qualification, you would usually need to obtain one within the first three months.
There is an option to obtain additional qualifications when completing the NPLQ such as First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work, Automated External Defibrillation Certificate and Management of Anaphylaxis.
If you are responsible for maintaining the water quality, you can complete the RLSS National Pool Management Qualification. This 4-day course is a technical qualification for staff operating a pool plant each day.
To become a beach lifeguard, you would need a National Beach Lifeguard qualification such as the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ). This lasts a minimum of 40 hours and is followed by a practical assessment. The certificate is valid for 2 years.
To become an open water lifeguard, you would complete the Open Water Lifeguard (OWL) Qualification. This is allows you to provide rescue during controlled activities such as triathlons. It is available as a top up module for those with a lifeguard qualification, or a course for those with no experience.
Candidates that hold a current RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) can now attend a one-day Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) OWL qualification course and will be externally assessed to gain a 2-year OWL qualification.
Getting On
After gaining experience you might progress to a supervisory post and take the RLSS National Pool Supervisor Qualification (NPSQ) course.
You may progress to pool manager or centre manager.
Your lifeguard qualifications are only valid for two years. You must then have your lifesaving and first aid skills assessed before you can renew your qualification.
You must complete 20 hours Continued Professional Development within these two years covering content from the NPLQ syllabus.
More Information
For more information please see organisations listed below:
2026
