The LICQual Level 3 Award in National Surf Coach Lifesaving (NSCL) is a globally recognised qualification designed for individuals seeking to develop the essential lifesaving, rescue, and safety management skills required in a surf coaching environment. This internationally benchmarked course equips learners with the knowledge, confidence, and practical abilities to respond effectively to emergencies in open water and surf conditions.
Focused on professional surf coaching safety standards, the NSCL Award combines theoretical instruction with hands-on rescue training, ensuring participants can competently manage water-based incidents while safeguarding themselves and others. Key learning areas include open water rescue techniques, the use of lifesaving equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), risk assessment, incident management, and post-rescue care.
This qualification is ideal for surf coaches, water sports instructors, beach lifeguards, and recreational surf leaders who must meet regulatory or employment requirements in surf-related environments. It also supports the development of teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills under pressure, enabling graduates to operate effectively in both individual and team rescue scenarios.
Successful completion of the LICQual Level 3 NSCL Award demonstrates professional competence, meeting the needs of surf schools, water sports facilities, coastal safety organisations, and international training bodies. Whether you aim to advance your career in surf coaching or enhance your ability to protect and save lives in challenging marine conditions, this qualification provides the knowledge, skills, and global credibility to excel in the field.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Award in National Surf Coach Lifesaving (NSCL)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
6
GLH
12
Qualification #
LICQ2200632
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Award in National Surf Coach Lifesaving (NSCL), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200632-1 |
Fundamentals of Surf Lifesaving and Rescue Principles |
1 |
6 |
|
LICQ2200632-2 |
Ocean and Surf Environment Awareness |
1 |
6 |
|
LICQ2200632-3 |
Water Rescue Techniques and Equipment Handling |
1 |
6 |
|
LICQ2200632-4 |
Surf-Specific First Aid and CPR |
1 |
6 |
|
LICQ2200632-5 |
Communication, Coordination, and Incident Management |
1 |
6 |
|
LICQ2200632-6 |
Practical Surf Rescue Drills and Assessment |
1 |
6 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
1. Fundamentals of Surf Lifesaving and Rescue Principles
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the role, responsibilities, and ethics of a surf coach lifesaver.
- Identify different types of surf-related emergencies.
- Demonstrate knowledge of ocean dynamics, wave types, and rip current patterns.
2. Ocean and Surf Environment Awareness
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Analyse environmental factors such as tides, weather, and swell that affect surf safety.
- Identify potential hazards in various surf environments.
- Apply risk assessment and hazard mitigation strategies to ensure safe operations.
3. Water Rescue Techniques and Equipment Handling
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe and effective use of surf rescue boards, tubes, and other equipment.
- Apply appropriate approaches for rescuing conscious and unconscious casualties.
- Perform self-rescue techniques in challenging surf conditions.
4. Surf-Specific First Aid and CPR
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Provide effective first aid for surf-related injuries including cuts, fractures, and marine stings.
- Perform CPR for adults, children, and infants according to international resuscitation guidelines.
- Manage cases of drowning, hypothermia, and suspected spinal injuries in surf environments.
5. Communication, Coordination, and Incident Management
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Communicate effectively with rescue teams, surf schools, and emergency services.
- Demonstrate leadership skills in managing rescue operations.
- Coordinate multiple rescuers in high-pressure surf rescue scenarios.
6. Practical Surf Rescue Drills and Assessment
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Execute live surf rescue drills that meet performance and safety standards.
- Plan and carry out rescue operations in varying surf conditions.
- Evaluate rescue performance and identify areas for improvement.
The LICQual Level 3 Award in National Surf Coach Lifesaving (NSCL) is designed for individuals who aspire to combine professional surf coaching with certified lifesaving skills. This course is ideal for:
- Surf Coaches and Instructors seeking to meet national and international safety requirements for surf instruction.
- Lifeguards who wish to specialise in surf and open-water rescue operations.
- Surf School Owners and Managers who want to ensure their staff are fully trained in surf-specific lifesaving techniques.
- Water Sports Professionals including paddleboard, kite-surf, and bodyboard instructors aiming to enhance safety competencies.
- Experienced Surfers looking to transition into a professional role with rescue and first aid responsibilities.
- Outdoor Adventure Leaders working in coastal or open-water environments.
This qualification is particularly suited to individuals who work or plan to work in surf schools, coastal resorts, water sports centres, and community beach safety programmes, ensuring they can safeguard participants and respond effectively to emergencies in dynamic surf conditions.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
