Belvedere Times

How To Save A Life

Peter O'Brien-Hogan (PA), Lifeguard

In January of this year, ten members of Poetry and Rhetoric began training for the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification.  This qualification is a professional one and entitles the holder to work full time as a lifeguard.  All of us are full-time members of the Lifesaving Society and some of us work as teachers, passing on the skills and knowledge to the younger members. 

The NPLQ is examined in two separate modules: the “Theory of Pool Supervision and Accident Prevention,” and the more practical "Application of Rescue and First Aid.”  This includes dealing with people with spinal injuries. We worked on the theory side of it for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school and worked on the rescue elements after lifesaving on Mondays and Wednesdays. 
On 9^th February we were examined in skills and theory.  We all passed with flying colours. Participants were Andy McGonigle (RF), Rory Nevin (RK), Cathal Groome (RK), Joel Loll-McKeever (RK), Shane O’Callaghan (PK), Peter O’Brien Hogan (PA), Elliot McGuirk (PA), Alex Conway (PX), Domhnall Kelly (PS) and Ronan Spain (PL).