Diploma in Sports Rescue and Emergencies
Why this certificate program?
The Diploma in Sports Lifesaving and Emergencies
This program provides you with the essential tools to become a skilled professional in prevention, rescue, and assistance in aquatic environments. You will learn the most advanced lifesaving techniques, specific first aid, and comprehensive emergency management, preparing you to act effectively and safely in any critical situation. This program combines solid theoretical knowledge with intensive practical training in real-world scenarios, guaranteeing comprehensive, high-level training.
Differential Advantages
- Professional Certification: Recognized accreditation to work as a lifeguard in various facilities.
- Realistic Drills: Practice in pools, beaches, and other aquatic environments to hone your skills.
- Specialized Equipment: Handling of state-of-the-art rescue, communication, and life support equipment.
- Comprehensive Approach: Psychological, legal, and ethical aspects of rescue and victim care.
- Networking: Connection with industry professionals and job opportunities.
- Modality: Online
- Level: Diplomado
- Hours: 800 H
- Start date: 01-10-2026
Availability: 1 in stock
Who is it aimed at?
- Sports professionals, coaches, and instructors seeking to expand their skills in prevention, rescue, and first aid in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
- Aquatic and terrestrial lifeguards wishing to update their knowledge and obtain advanced certification in rescue techniques and emergency management.
- Students in sports and health-related fields aspiring to specialized training in sports rescue to excel in the job market.
- Members of rescue and civil protection teams interested in refining their intervention and coordination strategies for risk situations in the sports field.
- Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, paramedics) seeking additional training to provide care Specific emergencies at sporting events and activities.
Study Flexibility
Adapted to your schedule: live and recorded online classes, downloadable learning materials, and personalized tutoring for effective learning at your own pace.
Objectives and competencies

Manage and effectively coordinate aquatic rescue operations:
“Assess risks, prioritize resources, and communicate effectively with rescue teams and those affected, optimizing response times and minimizing damage.”

Assess and prevent risks in aquatic sports and recreational environments:
“Identify specific hazards (currents, variable depth, submerged obstacles) and adapt safety protocols.”

Apply life support and first aid techniques in aquatic emergency situations:
“Perform CPR, control bleeding, immobilize and safely transport victims in the water, prioritizing your own safety and that of the person being helped.”

Develop advanced swimming and rescue skills in adverse conditions:
“Execute water entry and victim approach techniques with minimal equipment, prioritizing your own safety and that of the rescued person in turbulent waters or with low visibility.”

Leading rescue and emergency response teams in aquatic situations:
“To assess risks, establish priorities, and deploy resources efficiently in aquatic crisis scenarios, ensuring the safety of the team and the victims.”

Use specialized rescue and communications equipment:
“Operate self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and immersion suits safely and effectively, following maintenance and inspection protocols.”
Curriculum - Modules
- Comprehensive Maritime Incident Management: protocols, roles, and chain of command for coordinated response
- Operational Planning and Execution: briefing, routes, weather windows, and go/no-go criteria
- Rapid Risk Assessment: criticality matrix, scene control, and decision-making under pressure
- Operational Communication: VHF/GMDSS, standardized reports, and inter-agency liaison
- Tactical Mobility and Safe Boarding: RHIB maneuvers, approach, mooring, and recovery
- Equipment and Technologies: PPE, signaling, satellite tracking, and field data logging
- Immediate Care of the Affected: primary assessment, hypothermia, trauma, and stabilization for evacuation
- Adverse Environmental Conditions: swell, Visibility, flows, and operational mitigation
Simulation and training: critical scenarios, use of VR/AR, and exercises with performance metrics
Documentation and continuous improvement: lessons learned, indicators (MTTA/MTTR), and SOP updates
- Introduction to Aquatic Rescue: Personal and Equipment Safety
- Rescue Equipment: Wetsuits, Life Jackets, Ropes, Rescue Boards
- Entry into the Water: Safe Techniques, Risk Assessment
- Approach Techniques: Swimming with Fins, Towing, Use of Buoys
- Rescue Techniques: Grabs, Releases, Victim Extraction
- Conscious and Unconscious Victims: Assessment, Management, and Transport
- First Aid: CPR, Hemorrhage Control, Hypothermia Treatment
- Basic Life Support (BLS): ABC Protocol, Defibrillation (AED)
- Communication and Coordination: Hand signals, use of radios
- Rescue drills and scenarios: practice and continuous improvement
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- Introduction to aquatic rescue: history, evolution, and legal framework
- Pathophysiology of drowning: mechanisms, phases, and complications
- Aquatic rescue equipment: types, maintenance, and proper use
- Water entry techniques: personal and rescuer safety
- Approach and contact techniques: control of the rescuer, communication
- Towing and extraction techniques: individual and team techniques
- Rescue in different environments: swimming pools, open sea, rivers, and lakes
- Advanced first aid in aquatic environments: CPR, BLS, life support
- Management of specific emergencies: hypothermia, spinal cord injuries, immersion syndrome
- Patient assessment and transfer: coordination with emergency services emergency
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- Introduction to aquatic techniques and safety: Regulations and best practices.
- Physiology of drowning: Mechanisms, phases, and risk factors.
- Basic equipment for aquatic intervention: Selection, maintenance, and proper use.
- Water entry and exit techniques in different conditions.
- Rescue swimming and approach to the victim: Efficient and safe techniques.
- Techniques for towing and transporting the victim in the water.
- Basic first aid in the aquatic environment: CPR, life support, and management of common injuries.
- Rescue with and without equipment: Floats, ropes, and other rescue devices.
- Extraction of the victim from the water: Techniques for different scenarios and Types of victims.
- Psychological considerations in rescue situations: Communication and stress management.
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- Introduction to Aquatic Techniques: History and Evolution
- Physics of Water: Buoyancy, Resistance, Pressure, and Temperature
- Basic Equipment: Wetsuit, Fins, Mask, Snorkel, Life Jackets
- Open Water Swimming Techniques: Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, and Sidestroke
- Entry into the Water: Types of Entry According to the Situation and Environment
- Approach Techniques to the Victim: Rescue Swim, Towing
- Basic First Aid: Initial Assessment, CPR, Airway Obstruction
- Rescue with and without Equipment: Use of Buoys, Rescue Boards, Ropes
- Victim Extraction: Water exit techniques in different scenarios
Risk prevention: Beach signage, hazard identification
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- System Architecture and Components: Structural design, materials, and subsystems (mechanical, electrical, electronic, and fluid) with selection and assembly criteria for marine environments
- Fundamentals and Principles of Operation: Physical and engineering foundations (thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, electricity, control, and materials) that explain performance and operating limits
- Safety and Environmental (SHE): Risk analysis, PPE, LOTO, hazardous atmospheres, spill and waste management, and emergency response plans
- Applicable Regulations and Standards: IMO/ISO/IEC requirements and local regulations;
- Conformance criteria, certification, and best practices for operation and maintenance
- Inspection, testing, and diagnostics: Visual/dimensional inspection, functional testing, data analysis, and predictive techniques (vibration, thermography, fluid analysis) to identify root causes
- Preventive and predictive maintenance: Hourly/cycle/seasonal plans, lubrication, adjustments, calibrations, consumable replacement, post-service verification, and operational reliability
- Instrumentation, tools, and metrology: Measuring and testing equipment, diagnostic software, calibration and traceability; selection criteria, safe use, and storage
- Onboard integration and interfaces: Mechanical, electrical, fluid, and data compatibility; Sealing and watertightness, EMC/EMI, corrosion protection, and interoperability testing.
Quality, acceptance testing, and commissioning: process and materials control, FAT/SAT, bench and sea trials, go/no-go criteria, and evidence documentation.
Technical documentation and integrated practice: logs, checklists, reports, and a complete case study (safety → diagnosis → intervention → verification → report) applicable to any system.
- Introduction to Advanced First Aid: Scope and Limitations
- Legal and Ethical Considerations: Consent, Confidentiality, Duty to Act
- Advanced First Aid Equipment: Aquatic-Specific First Aid Kit, Oxygen, Airway Devices
- Advanced Patient Assessment: ABCDE and Secondary Assessment in the Aquatic Environment
- Advanced Airway Management: Orotracheal Intubation (Simulation), Supraglottic Airway Devices
- Ventilatory Support: Bag-Mask Ventilation, Basic Mechanical Ventilation
- Circulation and Hemorrhage Control: Venous Access (Simulation), Fluid Therapy, Tourniquets
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Advanced management: defibrillation, emergency medication (adrenaline, amiodarone).
Hypothermia and hyperthermia: advanced management in the aquatic environment.
Specific aquatic injuries: spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, immersion syndrome.
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Career opportunities
- Lifeguard at beaches, pools, and aquatic facilities: prevention, surveillance, and rescue in aquatic environments.
- Emergency Medical Technician: first response in emergency situations, basic life support, and patient transport.
- Aquatic Activities Monitor/Instructor: teaching and training in swimming, lifesaving, and other aquatic disciplines.
- Aquatic Safety Manager: planning and coordination of safety measures in aquatic facilities.
- Rescue and Salvage Team Member: participation in search and rescue operations in various environments.
- Occupational Risk Prevention Technician in the Aquatic Sector: risk assessment and control in aquatic facilities and related activities.
- Lifesaving and First Aid Trainer: delivery of courses and workshops Training in rescue techniques and first aid.
- Security personnel at aquatic events: monitoring and preventing incidents at competitions, festivals, and other water-based activities.
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Admission requirements

Academic/professional profile:
Degree/Bachelor's degree in Nautical Science/Maritime Transport, Naval/Marine Engineering, or a related field; or proven professional experience in bridge/operations.

Language proficiency:
Recommended functional maritime English (SMCP) for simulations and technical materials.

Documentation:
Updated resume, copy of degree or seaman's book, ID card/passport, letter of motivation.

Technical requirements (for online):
Equipment with camera/microphone, stable connection, ≥ 24” monitor recommended for ECDIS/Radar-ARPA.
Admission process and dates

1. Online
application
(form + documents).

2. Academic review and interview
(profile/objectives/schedule compatibility).

3. Admission decision
(+ scholarship proposal if applicable).

4. Reservation of place
(deposit) and registration.

5. Induction
(access to campus, calendars, simulator guides).
Scholarships and grants
- Aquatic Rescue Techniques: Master the essential skills for rescue in different aquatic environments.
- Advanced First Aid: Learn to provide immediate and effective care in emergency situations.
- Emergency Management: Develop strategies for planning and responding to sports incidents.
- Legislation and Regulations: Understand the legal framework and regulations applicable to sports rescue.
- Specialized Equipment: Become familiar with the use and maintenance of rescue equipment.
Testimonials
The Diploma in Sports Lifesaving and Emergencies exceeded my expectations. The combination of theory and practice gave me the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively to emergency situations in aquatic environments. I learned rescue techniques, specialized first aid, and the importance of teamwork—knowledge I successfully applied during a regional competition where I assisted a swimmer with a severe cramp, stabilizing him and preventing a potentially dangerous situation. I feel much more prepared and confident to face any challenge in my work as a lifeguard.
The Diploma in Aquatic Sports & Marine Activities exceeded my expectations. I acquired solid theoretical and practical knowledge in various disciplines, from sailing to diving, and I feel prepared to work professionally in the sector. The quality of the teaching staff and the practical experience in real-world settings were key to my learning.
This diploma program exceeded my expectations. The combination of theory and practice gave me the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively to emergency situations in the sports field. The realistic simulations and expert instruction prepared me to apply water rescue and first aid techniques accurately and quickly. I now feel capable of acting safely and professionally in any risk scenario.
This diploma program exceeded my expectations. The combination of theory and practice gave me the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively to emergency situations in sports settings. I would like to highlight the quality of the instructors and the realism of the simulations, which prepared me to successfully face the challenges of this field. I now feel fully qualified to provide professional assistance and rescue services.
Frequently asked questions
Emergency situations and aquatic rescue in the sports context.
Yes. The itinerary includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with harbor, ocean, fog, storm, and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/practical placements through agreements.
It covers both basic first aid and water rescue techniques.
Recommended functional SMCP. We offer support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a relevant degree or experience in maritime/port operations. The admissions interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Collaborations and the Alumni Network.
Simulator practice (rubrics), defeat plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and applied TFM.
A degree from Navalis Magna University + operational portfolio (tracks, SOPs, reports and KPIs) useful for audits and employment.
- Introduction to aquatic rescue: history, evolution, and regulations.
- Physiology of drowning: mechanisms, phases, and influencing factors.
- Aquatic rescue equipment: wetsuits, life jackets, fins, masks, and communication systems.
- Water entry techniques: environmental and personal considerations.
- Approach techniques to the victim: rescue swimming, towing, and securing.
- Extraction of the victim from the water: individual and team techniques, considerations for different types of victims.
- Basic life support (BLS) in the aquatic environment: CPR and defibrillation in water and on land.
- Advanced life support (ALS): airway management, ventilation, and circulation in the patient drowning.
- Medical-legal and ethical considerations in aquatic rescue.
- Rescue drills and practice in different scenarios.
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Request information
Complete the Application Form.
Attach your CV/degree certificate (if you have it to hand).
Indicate your preferred cohort (January/May/September) and whether you would like the hybrid option with simulator sessions.
An academic advisor will contact you within 24–48 hours to guide you through the admission process, scholarships, and compatibility with your professional schedule.
Faculty
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Tomás Riera
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Full Professor