Course Content

The OWL enables candidates with no previous lifeguard experience to become qualified. By attaining this qualification candidates will have been assessed as competent to provide supervision and rescue cover for planned, organised and risk-assessed activities in open water still, non-tidal.

The Open Water Lifeguard Qualification, delivered over three days, is valid for two years and is independently assessed. The candidate manual and trainer resources help the Open Water Lifeguard Trainer Assessor deliver through the three sections:

1. Section 1 - The Open Water Lifeguard, environment, hazards and supervision
2. Section 2 - Responding to an emergency and taking action
3. Section 3 - CPR and First Aid

New candidates: 18hrs + Assessment

Renewal candidates: 10hrs + Assessment 

For more information about this course, please contact watersportscentre@scll.co.uk

Every candidate attending a OWL course must: 

1. Be 16-years-old or over at the time of assessment
2. Be competent and confident in open water
3. Be able to submerge under the water confidently
4. Before the course, candidates must be able to swim at least 400 metres in a pool/ open water swimming continuously on their front and showing urgency
5. Able to submerge under the water confidently

For this course, we recommend bringing:

1. Swimming clothing - we can provide wetsuits if needed. (Bring extra if you don't want to put wet gear on)
2. Shorts/Tshirt to go over swimming clothing
3. Towel
4. Bag to hold wet gear
5. Pen
6. Snacks/Drinks
7. Packed Lunch (there are multiple refreshment places within a few minutes of the centre such as Tesco, Lowry outlet)

1. This course will be a mixture of classroom and practical learning with an assessment on the final day
2. The water can be cold so please ensure you bring layers