In the UAE, all lifeguards are required by law to hold a valid and accredited lifeguard certification. Starting the journey to become a lifeguard can feel like a daunting task, especially if you are not sure what to expect from your training. Here at Blue Guard, we offer multiple courses to meet your lifeguarding needs.
To keep you informed about what to expect, we want to share more about each course so that you come to our training feeling prepared for success.
Pool Lifeguard Qualification
Ideal for those looking to work as a lifeguard in an indoor or outdoor pool, the pool lifeguard qualification courses are held in a traditional face-to-face classroom setting or in a blended e-learning module. This certification is essential for swim coaches and swimming instructors in educational institutions and swimming academies, whether private or public, in order to prevent injuries and to save lives. During the course of their training, class participants will learn how to prevent an incident from happening, as well as how to perform effective rescues when an emergency takes place.
Class participants will learn the following during their pool lifeguard qualification course:
- Local laws, regulations, and requirements for lifeguarding
- Basic duties, roles, and responsibilities of a lifeguard
- How to identify pool hazards, as well as to report dangers and risks
- How to observe and scan a pool
- How to identify high-risk pool users and weak swimmers
- How to identify and rescue a weak, injured, or unconscious swimmer
- How to perform CPR for adults, children, and infants
- How to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Treatment for minor cuts and burns
- And much more
Although the pool lifeguard training course requires no prior lifeguarding experience, class participants must be at least 16 years of age and are required to complete the following tasks:
- Swim 100 metres
- Perform a surface dive to the bottom of the pool and recover a 4kg weight from a depth of 1.5 metres
- To tread water for at least 5 minutes
- To read and speak basic English
At the end of their training, class participants will be assessed on both practical and theoretical elements of lifeguarding. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants will receive a pool lifeguard certificate approved by the Dubai & Abu Dhabi Regulators for Lifeguarding (valid for 2 years). They will also receive a first aid certificate approved by the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) (valid for 3 years).
Beach Lifeguard Qualification
The Beach lifeguard qualification is designed specifically as it sounds, for the beach and any open water operators! Ideal for lifeguards working at beach clubs, private beaches, hotel beaches, and public beaches, this course is tailored to teach participants how to identify the risks unique to open water (i.e. how rip currents are formed, different types of waves, etc.).
Class participants will learn the following during their beach lifeguard qualification course in preparation for their certification assessment:
- Local laws, regulations, and requirements for lifeguarding
- Basic duties, roles, and responsibilities of a lifeguard
- How to identify beach hazards (rip currents and waves)
- How to report dangers and risks
- How to identify and use flags and hand signals
- How to observe and scan a beach and open waters
- How to identify high-risk pool users and weak swimmers
- How to identify and rescue a weak, injured, or unconscious swimmer
- How to perform CPR for adults, children, and infants
- How to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Treatment for minor cuts and burns
- And much more
The Beach lifeguard certification is valid for two years and takes up to 40 hours of training to complete. If you’re looking to train as a beach lifeguard, it is expected that you have a high level of focus and fitness at least 1 to 2 years working as a certified pool lifeguard and meet the following prerequisites:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Swim 200 metres non-stop in a comfortable manner in open water
- Recover a 4kg weight in open water in a depth of 5 metres
- Be able to tread water for at least 10 minutes
- Be able to read and speak basic English
At the end of their training, class participants will be assessed on both practical and theoretical elements of lifeguarding. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants will receive a beach lifeguard certificate approved by the Dubai & Abu Dhabi Regulators for Lifeguarding (valid for 2 years). They will also receive a first aid certificate approved by the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) (valid for 3 years).
Shallow Water Pool Lifeguard Qualification
The Shallow Water Pool Lifeguard Qualification course is great for those without prior experience and was designed for the lifeguard who will be working at a swimming pool sized less than 1.5 metres (i.e. water parks, kiddie pools, splash pads, etc.). When a lifeguard has a shallow water qualification, they can also work in any pool that is deeper than 1.5 meters.
Similar to the pool lifeguard certification qualification course, class participants will learn the following with a specific focus on shallow water pools:
- Local laws, regulations, and requirements for lifeguarding
- Basic duties, roles, and responsibilities of a lifeguard
- How to identify pool hazards, as well as to report dangers and risks
- How to observe and scan a pool
- How to identify high-risk pool users and weak swimmers
- How to identify and rescue a weak, injured, or unconscious swimmer
- How to perform CPR for adults, children, and infants
- How to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
- Treatment for minor cuts and burns
- And much more
Although the shallow water pool lifeguard qualification course requires no prior lifeguarding experience, class participants must be at least 16 years of age and are required to complete the following tasks:
- Swim 50 metres non-stop in a comfortable manner in shallow water
- Perform a surface dive to the bottom of the pool and recover a 4kg weight from a depth of less than 1.5 metres
- To tread water for at least 5 minutes
- To read and speak basic English
- 40 hours of time committed to learning
At the end of their training, class participants will be assessed on both practical and theoretical elements of lifeguarding. Upon successful completion of the course and exam participants will receive a shallow water pool lifeguard certificate approved by the Dubai & Abu Dhabi Regulators for Lifeguarding (valid for 2 years). They will also receive a first aid certificate approved by the Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services (DCAS) (valid for 3 years).
Are You Ready to Find Your Lifeguard Course?
At Blue Guard ME, our lifeguard training classes are designed not only to meet all of the necessary prerequisites and requirements of local facilities and municipalities, but also to produce a well-rounded lifeguard who is ready for employment at the local pool, resort, or beach. Strategically curated with the student in mind, our innovative courses are reputable, professional, and informative.
If you’re interested in signing up for a course, contact a member of our team today! You can find us on all social media channels: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Luke Cunningham
Co-Founder & Managing Director
