What swimming ability and fitness do I need?
Rule- Australia
- Royal Life Saving
- Pool Lifeguard
- SISSS00133
- Age 16+
- 2026/27
- Pool lifeguards
- Lifeguards
- WA: you need the fitness, strength and speed to swim 25 m, tow a person 25 m and remove a patient from the water unassisted.
- SA: a medium to high level of aquatic fitness. Practical tests include a 25 m swim with a deep-water object retrieval and a 25 m tow, a lift test, 10 m swim and tow sequences, and spinal injury management in shallow water.
Sources: https://shop.royallifesavingwa.com.au/products/aXcelerate1-PoolLifeguard2day-82527 and https://sa.training.royallifesaving.com.au/calendar/pool-lifeguard/
Updated 24 Oct 2026