What Is ATPRA? Hydrotherapy Pool Rescue Training Explained
What Is ATPRA? Hydrotherapy Pool Rescue Training Explained
Hydrotherapy and aquatic therapy pools provide valuable environments for rehabilitation, therapy, education and supported aquatic activities.
But they also present a particular challenge when it comes to water safety.
People using these pools may have limited mobility, additional support needs or medical conditions, meaning staff need to understand how they would respond if something went wrong in the water.
One qualification designed specifically for this environment is the RLSS UK Aquatic Therapy Pool Rescue Award (ATPRA).
But what is ATPRA, who is it designed for, and how does it differ from traditional lifeguard training?
This guide from the ELS Water Safety Hub explains.
What Does ATPRA Stand For?
ATPRA stands for:
Aquatic Therapy Pool Rescue Award
It is an RLSS UK award designed for aquatic therapists and support workers involved in programmed aquatic activities.
Unlike a traditional pool lifeguard qualification, ATPRA focuses specifically on the skills required within aquatic therapy and hydrotherapy pool environments.
Who Is ATPRA Training For?
ATPRA can be relevant to organisations and professionals involved in programmed aquatic therapy activities.
This can include environments such as:
- Hydrotherapy pools
- Rehabilitation facilities
- SEN and education settings
- Healthcare and therapy environments
- Aquatic therapy facilities
The important point is that hydrotherapy pool safety isn't simply about how deep the water is.
The needs and abilities of the people using the pool, the activities taking place, the pool environment and the emergency arrangements all need to be considered.
Why Is Hydrotherapy Pool Rescue Training Important?
A hydrotherapy pool may appear to be a controlled environment, but emergencies can still happen.
Someone participating in aquatic therapy may become unwell, lose consciousness or require assistance leaving the water.
Staff therefore need to understand their role within the facility's emergency procedures and have the practical skills required to respond appropriately.
Having emergency equipment or written procedures is only part of being prepared.
People need to know what to do when those procedures have to be put into action.
What Does ATPRA Training Cover?
The RLSS UK ATPRA programme is structured around three main areas:
The Therapist, Risk Assessment & Pool Safety
Understanding responsibilities, the aquatic environment, risk assessment and maintaining safety during programmed activities.
Intervention, Rescue & Emergency Action
Developing practical skills for responding to incidents, performing rescues and following emergency procedures.
CPR & First Aid
Developing the emergency first aid and resuscitation skills that may be required following an incident.
ATPRA combines knowledge with practical rescue and emergency response training, followed by assessment.
How Long Is ATPRA Training?
The full ATPRA programme consists of 12 hours of training plus assessment and can be delivered over two days.
Candidates need to complete the required guided learning and successfully complete the assessment to achieve the award.
Because the programme contains practical aquatic rescue skills, access to a suitable pool environment is required.
What Is ATPRA LIGHT?
RLSS UK also provides ATPRA LIGHT.
ATPRA LIGHT may be considered in facilities where qualified lifeguards or first aiders are available and able to respond quickly to an emergency.
ATPRA and ATPRA LIGHT should not simply be treated as interchangeable courses.
The appropriate training and emergency arrangements should reflect the particular facility, activities and risks involved.
Is ATPRA the Same as NPLQ?
No.
The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) is designed for professional pool lifeguards responsible for supervising swimming pool environments.
ATPRA has a different purpose.
It is specifically designed around aquatic therapy activities and the people supporting those activities.
This is why understanding the environment and choosing appropriate training is important rather than assuming every aquatic facility requires exactly the same qualification.
Does Having ATPRA Make a Hydrotherapy Pool Compliant?
No single training course automatically makes a facility “compliant”.
Pool operators and organisations still need to consider their wider responsibilities, including risk assessment, supervision, operating procedures, emergency arrangements, equipment and staff competence.
Training should form part of those wider safety arrangements.
Can ATPRA Training Be Delivered at a Hydrotherapy Pool?
Training within the organisation's own suitable hydrotherapy or aquatic therapy pool can provide an opportunity for participants to practise skills within an environment relevant to their work.
This can help staff relate their training to their pool layout, team and emergency arrangements.
Elite Lifesaving Skills provides aquatic and hydrotherapy pool training across London, Essex, Redbridge and surrounding areas, with wider locations available by arrangement.
Preparing for a Hydrotherapy Pool Emergency
Emergency preparation shouldn't begin when an incident occurs.
Staff working around aquatic therapy activities should understand their responsibilities, know the facility's emergency procedures and have opportunities to practise the skills they may be expected to use.
Practical training helps turn an emergency procedure from something written in a document into something a team has actually discussed, understood and practised.
Explore ATPRA Hydrotherapy Pool Training
Elite Lifesaving Skills provides practical RLSS UK Aquatic Therapy Pool Rescue Award (ATPRA) training for organisations operating hydrotherapy and aquatic therapy environments.
Learn more about the course, candidate requirements and training options on our dedicated ATPRA page.
Continue Exploring the ELS Water Safety Hub
Learn more about water safety, lifesaving, drowning prevention and emergency response through the ELS Water Safety Hub.
EXPLORE THE WATER SAFETY HUB →
Need Help With Hydrotherapy Pool Safety Training?
If you're responsible for a hydrotherapy pool, aquatic therapy facility, SEN setting or rehabilitation environment and you're unsure what training may be appropriate for your team, speak to Elite Lifesaving Skills.
We can discuss your pool environment, staff roles and training requirements and help you understand the available options.