RLSS Water safety Management program

• Relevant to a wide range of sectors, including,scouting, teaching (field trips), construction, environmental health, leisure and the emergency services
• Fulfils the water safety training needs of a wide range of users (reflecting the range of activities that take place in and around the waters edge)
• Endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive for its sensible, proportionate, reasonable and balanced advice to both those responsible for groups around the water margin or workers operating in, on or near water and in particular managing the risk from operating around the water margin.

The NWSMP programme embraces contemporary approaches to risk management by balancing the need for simple pro-active safety management practices, with a strong focus on preventative measures along with effective emergency response skills.

• NWSMP Level 1 Water Safety Awareness is equivalent to DEFRA Module 1 - Water & Flood Awareness 
• NWSMP Inland Waterways Module is the equivalent to DEFRA Module 2 – Water & Flood First Responder. 

Further information can be found from RLSS website. 

The RLSS UK's National Water Safety Management Programme (NWSMP) 

Course Content 

The NWSMP is split into two levels to ensure candidates get the most out of the course. 

Water Safety Awareness 

This course is for those working near water as part of a structured activity. The course includes: 

• Generic Open Water Hazards 
• Risk Management 
• Land-based Rescue Techniques  
• PPE & Aquatic Clothing 
• Basic Life Support Awareness 

Inland Waterways Module 

This module focuses on specific inland waterway hazards along with in-water skills. 

• Inland-Specific Hazards 
• In Water Rescue Skills 
• Personal Safety 
• Dynamic Risk Management
• Moving in Shallow Water 

Coastal Waterways Module 

This module focuses on specific coastal waterway hazards along with in-water skills. 

• Coastal-specific Hazards 
• In Water Rescue Skills 
• Personal Safety 
• Dynamic Risk Management 
• Returning to Shore Through Surf 
• Coastal Wildlife 

Assessment 

The NWSMP assessment takes place at the end of each level/ module. It determines your competence, skills, and knowledge of working near/in water and assesses your ability to apply the skills and knowledge learnt in the specific environment.The assessment is split as follows: 

Water Safety Awareness 

• Oral Questioning
• Practical Throw Bag Rescue 
• Complete a Risk Assessment 

NWSMP Course Prerequisites 

Each candidate attending an NWSMP course must: 

• Be 16 years old or over at the time of being assessed 
• Have a good level of fitness 
• Be competent at swimming in open-water environments (for Coastal and Inland Waterways module) 
• For the assessment, candidates must be able to swim 50m in an open water environment. (for Coastal and Inland Waterways module) 

1/3 funding should be available from scouts scotland to support the course costs.  Other funding could be avaialble from your group/district or region to support the course but these will depend on local funding rules and availabiity.