Why are Pool Lifeguard courses so hard to find in Dublin?

In the "olden" days lifesaving clubs were common and all catered for the annual harvest of awards suitable for lifeguards. In recent years though clubs have been forced to specialise and many clubs can only facilitate one or two of the three big disciplines of lifesaving, pool lifeguard and beach lifeguard.
The increased costs of pools and the massive increase in training costs has effectively eliminated the smaller clubs and has ensured that the "local pool" now rarely offers public courses. Clubs who do offer lifeguard courses also tend to discourage people who will come for a course and leave immediately as it contributes little to the clubs long term stability and development.

The development in Ireland of brokers who charge a fee on awards has also impacted on the voluntary lifesaving clubs.

So are courses available?

Yes, in Ireland you should do one of the following

1. Join a lifesaving club that offers lifeguard courses. Many have a waiting list - get on it.  Before joining make sure they do actually offer LIFEGUARD qualifications as well as lifesaving ones and that they offer the discipline that you want such as pool or beach as very few offer both. 

2. Talk to you local pool manager. Many pools run courses for staff and may allow outher on the courses or will emply you with a lifesaving qualification such as the bronze medallion and will assist you in getting the lifeguard qualifiation.

The cost?

It varies widely with little or no consistency. Voluntary clubs can be incredibly cheap if you can get on the courses.

got a question info@poollifeguard.com

Irish Lifeguards