Professional RLSS-accredited Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA) training delivered in Cornwall by Coast Medic.
Coast Medic provides high-quality SPERA training designed for staff working in swimming pools and aquatic environments who are not lifeguards but are required to respond effectively to emergencies. This course meets employer duty-of-care obligations and supports safe pool operations through practical, scenario-led instruction.
What Is the Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA)?
The Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award (SPERA) is an industry-recognised qualification awarded by Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). It equips learners with the essential skills to respond to poolside emergencies, perform in-water rescues safely, and provide immediate first aid and CPR until emergency services arrive.
This qualification is ideal for organisations that operate swimming pools but do not require staff to hold a full lifeguard qualification.
Who Is This Course For?
SPERA training is suitable for:
- Swimming pool attendants and leisure centre staff
- Hotel, spa, and holiday park employees
- School and college pool staff
- Health club and gym teams
- Any organisation with a swimming pool where staff are expected to respond in an emergency
This course is not a lifeguard qualification but provides vital emergency response capability for non-lifeguard roles.
Course Content
Our SPERA training covers both theory and practical rescue skills, including:
- Legal responsibilities and emergency action planning
- Poolside safety and incident recognition
- In-water rescue techniques using reach and throw aids
- Casualty recovery and safe extrication from the pool
- Management of unconscious casualties
- CPR and use of an AED
- Dealing with drowning and secondary drowning incidents
- Teamwork and communication during emergencies
All training is delivered using realistic scenarios to build confidence and competence.
Why Train with Coast Medic?
Coast Medic delivers SPERA training to a clinical and operational standard above basic compliance, while remaining fully aligned with RLSS guidance.
- Delivered by experienced ambulance clinicians and paramedics
- Strong focus on practical skills and decision-making
- Small group sizes for effective hands-on learning
- Training aligned with NHS emergency response principles
- Courses delivered on-site or at suitable pool facilities across Cornwall
Our instructors bring real-world emergency experience into every session, ensuring learners understand not just what to do, but why it matters.
Course Duration & Certification
- Duration: Typically 1 day (subject to group size and site requirements)
- Certification: RLSS Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award
- Validity: 12 months (in line with RLSS recommendations)
Successful learners receive an RLSS-issued certificate, demonstrating compliance with recognised aquatic safety standards.
On-Site SPERA Training Across Cornwall
We specialise in on-site SPERA training, delivered at your own swimming pool to ensure:
- Familiarity with your specific layout and equipment
- Training aligned to your Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
- Minimal disruption to normal operations
We provide SPERA training throughout Cornwall and the South West, supporting leisure providers, education settings, and hospitality venues.
Compliance, Safety & Governance
Our SPERA training supports:
- Employer health and safety responsibilities
- Risk assessment and emergency preparedness
- Integration with wider first aid and emergency response plans
Training is delivered within Coast Medic’s robust governance framework, reflecting best practice across regulated ambulance services and community emergency care.
Book SPERA Training in Cornwall
If you require RLSS Swimming Pool Emergency Rescue Award training in Cornwall, Coast Medic offers professional, reliable delivery tailored to your organisation.
Contact us today to:
- Arrange on-site training
- Discuss group pricing
- Combine SPERA with First Aid or AED training
