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Course Set - Inland Open Water Lifeguard (Pre-requisite: HLTAID011 Provide First Aid) - HLTAID009, SISCAQU019, SISCAQU021, SISCAQU022 & SISCAQU029


This course is designed for lifeguards, outdoor recreation leaders, and others responsible for supervising participant safety in open water environments. It focuses on conducting complex rescues in challenging conditions, taking into account prevailing weather and environmental hazards, and includes both swim-based and non-motorised craft rescues (such as rescue boards, surfboards, and paddleboards). The program also covers snorkel supervision/watch and the oversight of competitive open water swimming events, including triathlon swim legs. To enrol, students must already hold a current HLTAID011 Provide First Aid qualification.

 Open water includes natural flatwater areas such as lakes, lagoons, dams, slow-moving rivers, and non-surf beaches, as well as built facilities such as surf parks, wave pools, and inland lagoons. Participants will learn how to assess environmental conditions, plan and carry out rescues, and use a range of equipment such as rescue tubes, rescue boards, and other non-motorised craft to safely assist people in difficulty. Training also develops the ability to communicate clearly with team members, emergency services, and casualties, while managing hazards such as currents, debris, sudden changes in water movement, or crowded venues.

Please note, this course covers both indoor and outdoor swimming environments, whether they are built or natural flatwater swimming and recreation areas such as lakes, lagoons, dams, flatwater or slow-moving rivers as well as built recreation facilities such as wave parks and inland beach/lagoons which replicate a natural environment.

The course applies to individuals who may be required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies.

As this unit applies particularly to open water lifeguards and individuals such as outdoor recreation leaders, who complete complex water rescues,  it is highly recommended that students will have a basic understanding of performing water rescues, prior to undertaking this unit.  In addition, it is recommended students can swim 400 metres in less than 8 minutes.

Units Delivered

The following units will be included in your certificate:

Course Delivery

This course can be delivered/assessed in the workplace or at facility organised by the training provider.

Course Durations

Course durations can vary for multiple reasons, so the durations below are the minimum possible amount.

Face-to-Face Face to Face contact time of at least 22 Hours
Online with face-to-face assessment Face to Face contact time of at least 16 Hours

This course set has a pre-requisite unit of:

  • HLTAID011 Provide First Aid

An individual undertaking this course with Allens Training Pty Ltd will need to demonstrate the following to be eligible for entry:

  • An official form of photo identification (e.g., driver’s licence, passport, or student ID).
  • Physical capability to be able to meet the demands of the practical demonstration skills including:
    • CPR*
    • Swim 25 metres and perform a 25 metre non-contact tow of a casualty. Working as a team, extract a casualty from deep water using extraction equipment and demonstrate advanced resuscitation techniques
    • Swim 10 metres and then complete a minimum 10 metre contact tow of a conscious casualty and remove the casualty from the water without assistance.
    • Perform a rescue of a casualty with suspected spinal injury using spinal immobilisation extraction techniques and equipment
    • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at the deepest part of the pool at the aquatic facility (but no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty. 
    • Perform an open water rescue using non-motorised watercraft such as a rescue board, surfboard, SUP or canoe
    • Visual acuity to see the common visual signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water which includes “lack of movement” and ”arm waving”
    • Hear the common visual signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water which includes “calling for help”

Please note: As this unit applies particularly to open water lifeguards and individuals such as outdoor recreation leaders, who complete complex water rescues,  it is highly recommended that students will have a basic understanding of performing water rescues, prior to undertaking this unit.  In addition, it is recommended students can swim 400 metres in less than 8 minutes.


Please note, if you plan to work as a lifeguard, the Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations note there are minimum age, health and fitness requirements of persons employed to be performing the role of a Lifeguard. The Guidelines for Safe Pool Operation (GSPO) SV11 Pool Lifeguard Health Assessments outlines the criteria regarding vision, hearing, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma, pregnancy and immunizations. SV12 Pool Lifeguard Fitness Assessments outlines the criteria to ensure lifeguards are physically fit enough to perform the required tasks and to provide a measure of safety should an emergency occur that requires physical ability.

There may be an additional on-the-job licensing requirement for pool lifeguards working in NSW. Please check with your employer if you are required to apply for a Pool Lifeguard Licence.

*Important note: In order to issue an accredited certificate, CPR must be performed on the floor and rescue breathing techniques demonstrated on manikins, with no exemptions.


The online learning program can be found in the student portal. Students must have access to a computer, smart phone, tablet or other electronic device with access to the internet to complete the online studies and associated assessment tasks.

Delivery mode: Online with face-to-face - The online pre-course learning and theory assessment is expected to take approximately 6 hours to complete. These timeframes are estimates. Individuals with prior experience in similar training may complete the online component in less time, while those new to the subject may need more time to complete all the learning content and theory questions.

Individuals undertaking this course will be expected to complete both written and practical assessment tasks.

The units have the following recommended renewal periods:
Unit Period
HLTAID009 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation 12 months
SISCAQU022 - Provide oxygen resuscitation and therapy in an aquatic environment 12 months
SISCAQU019 - Supervise patron safety in aquatic locations Not applicable
SISCAQU021 - Perform complex water rescues Not applicable
SISCAQU029 - Perform open water rescues 0 months

Please note that enrolment to this course is made with Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909. Please refer to the student handbook located on the RTO website allenstraining.com.au (https://allenstraining.com.au/students/student-handbook) for all details relating to rights and responsibilities including complaints and appeals.

Performance Task

  • Infant CPR
  • Maintain Resuscitation Equipment and Child CPR and BVM
  • Recognise and respond to three (3) scenarios:
    • Unsafe patron behaviour resulting in breaches of safety rules
    • At-risk persons with additional needs
    • An emergency situation resulting in pool closure
  • Participate in a discussion with an aquatic industry leader to clarify safety rules for the activity
  • Identify the common signs and signals of a person experiencing difficulties in the water and possible contributing factors
  • Demonstrate fitness, strength, efficiency and speed, to perform the following aquatic rescues:
    • Swim 25 metres and perform a 25 metre non-contact tow of a casualty.  Provide oxygen therapy for shock.
    • Swim 10 metres and then complete a minimum 10 metre contact tow of a conscious casualty and remove the casualty from the water without assistance.
    • Perform a rescue of a casualty with suspected spinal injury using spinal immobilisation techniques and extraction equipment
    • Swim 25 metres and then retrieve an object replicating a person at the deepest part of the pool at the aquatic facility (but no greater than two (2) metres) and perform a 25-metre contact tow of an unconscious casualty and demonstrate advanced resuscitation techniques.
    • Perform an open water rescue using non-motorised watercraft such as a rescue board, surfboard, SUP or canoe

Documentation – complete an Incident Report and an Equipment Fault Log 

Theory assessment – A written exam consisting of multiple-choice and short answer questions must be completed at the end of the training session. Students must answer all questions

Students are required to complete a self evaluation against the following core skills as part of the enrolment process. This will allow your trainer to understand any additional support that may be required during the course delivery and assessment.
Learning I can stay focused, follow steps, and respond calmly to unexpected situations in busy or shared spaces in aquatic environments.
Reading I can read and understand detailed signs, safety rules, and instructions in places where water safety is important.
Writing I can write down important details after an incident, like what happened and who was involved.
Oral Communication I can communicate clearly and listen carefully when receiving or giving instructions, especially in team-based, noisy, or time-sensitive situations
Numeracy I can use numbers to track time, check water depth, and judge distances to help make safe decisions
This course is delivered and assessed on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909