Pool Attendant

Poolside Helper

The NARS Poolside helper course is an excellent course for swimming teachers, aqua teachers and those employees who are involved in the pool area but do not necessarily need a full lifeguard qualification. Below are the course details from the STA website - www.sta.co.uk

• Be 14 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination.
• Pay the requisite registration fee to the STA.
• Attend a course of instruction for a minimum of 13 hours; this includes the Aquatic Rescue Foundation Unit. (Where candidates have not undertaken prior reading and completed ARFU worksheets prior to the course then the minimum time will be 14 hour

Theory Section
Complete worksheets to demonstrate a clear understanding of the pool safety operating procedures and how they relate to swimming teaching covering the following topics:

• The legislative background
• The swimming pool
• Pool safety operating procedures
• First Aid
• Resuscitation

Rescue Section
With minimum additional clothing of a T-shirt and shorts or skirt, demonstrate the ability to carry out the following safely and effectively:

• Be able to swim 25 metres (candidates who can not swim 25 metres must be able to demonstrate the ability to wade, and effect a rescue, in a pool with a depth no greater than 1 metre).
• Either:
• Using a reaching aid, rescue a casualty in difficulty 2 metres from the poolside,
  OR
• Using a poolside rescue aid (rope, throw bag, torpedo buoy, lifebelt etc), rescue a casualty in difficulty 8 metres from the poolside,
  OR
• Using a rescue aid wade 5 metres to rescue a non-swimmer just out of their depth and assist them out of the pool.
• Either:
• Cover 5 metres in the deepest part of the pool to reach a weak swimmer in difficulty and perform a 5 metre contact tow to safety,
  OR
• Cover 5 metres in the deepest part of the pool to reach an injured swimmer and perform a 5 metre tow to safety.
• Cover 5 metres to recover a simulated body from the bottom of the deepest part of the pool (using a submersible dummy or manikin). On reaching the surface exchange the simulated body for a live simulated unresponsive casualty, tow to the side and, with assistance, land and place in the recovery position.
• Cover 5 metres in shallow water to reach a casualty with a suspected spinal injury. Take the casualty to safety and support with assistance; buoyant aids may be used.
• While teaching a group of at least 4 pupils initiate the appropriate procedures, rescue and provide aftercare of one of your pupils from a previously unknown simulated emergency situation. At the completion of the test give reasons for your actions.

Resuscitation Section

• Using a live simulated unconscious casualty demonstrate:
• Turning a casualty from prone to supine.
• Checking the airway, signs of breathing and signs of circulation.
• The action for vomiting.
• The recovery position and aftercare.
• Using a suitable manikin, demonstrate neutral alignment and the jaw thrust manoeuvre for a casualty with a suspected spinal injury.
• Demonstrate CPR for 2 minutes each on:
• An adult manikin.
• A child manikin.
• A baby manikin.

(Face shields or masks may be used)

Site-Specific Training

After completion of the NaRS[PH] course and examination candidates will be qualified to act as probationary pool safety cover. To become fully qualified candidates must:

• Undertake induction and on-the-job training, under supervision, in the site-specific procedures of the employer, in accordance with the regulations of the employer.
• Complete the site-specific worksheet to the satisfaction of the pool management in respect of every pool at which the swimming teacher/poolside helper operates.
• Undertake ongoing training.

NaRS Poolside Helper Assessment

The qualification is assessed as set out below; candidates must satisfy all of the following:

• Completion of the end of element multi-choice question paper, each question is worth 1 mark, with a 70% pass mark.
• Completion of the Portfolio to the satisfaction of the course tutor (Foundation and NaRS[PH]).
• Completion of the Worksheets to the satisfaction of the Tutor and Examiner.
• Continual assessment by the Tutor.
• Demonstrate the ability to carry out various defined rescue activities in a safe manner.
• Demonstrate CPR and the preparatory actions and aftercare.

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