YMCA LIFEGUARDING TEST
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS
What does the acronym PACA mean, and stand for? - CORRECT ANSWER It
represents the 4 steps in the decision-making process. The problem of the situation, the
alternatives, the consequences of the alternatives, and the final action or decision
What is the Q-1-2 system? - CORRECT ANSWER First asking a question, then a
warning, then taking a break. (ask to leave the pool)
What does the Q-1-2 system do for a lifeguard? - CORRECT ANSWER Helps become
consistent and fair, reduces stress and emotion of enforcing the rules, allows to be
focused on your designated area.
When enforcing the rules, what should you keep in mind? - CORRECT ANSWER Be
firm, fair, and tactful
What are the safety check systems? - CORRECT ANSWER Roll call, buddy system,
safety swim/band test, swim breaks, tag board, and multilevel safety approach
How many drownings a year are there? - CORRECT ANSWER Roughly 3,600
What is the ratio for drowning children 14 and younger? - CORRECT ANSWER 1:4
How long does it take for a person to slip under the surface? - CORRECT ANSWER It
takes 20-60 seconds
How long does it take an adult to struggle to stay above water? - CORRECT ANSWER
60 seconds
When can a child perhaps fall below the surface of the water? - CORRECT ANSWER
20 seconds
What is drowning? - CORRECT ANSWER It is the process of experiencing respiratory
impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid
What is a distressed swimmer? - CORRECT ANSWER Someone who is struggling to
stay above the water
, Early warning signs of drowning - CORRECT ANSWER A weak stroke, hair in the
eyes, glassy eyes, two heads together, hand waving, moving toward a pier, erratic
behavior, clinging to objects, neutral to negative buoyancy, inability to respond verbally
Characteristics of drowning victims - CORRECT ANSWER An inability to call for help &
a panicked facial expression, head back and body low into the water, arms extended
out from the sides and moving up and down ineffectively in an attempt to keep the face
above the water, little to no support from the kick, an upright (verticle) position facing the
nearest source of assistance
Stages of drowning - CORRECT ANSWER Initial Apnea, Dyspnea, Terminal Apnea,
Cardiac Arrest
Initial Apnea - CORRECT ANSWER The temporary loss of breathing, or holding of the
breath. Glottis is closed by reflex. Water in mouth and throat cuts off the air to the lungs:
Oxygen to the brain decreases.
How long is Initial Apnea? - CORRECT ANSWER 0-3 minutes, excellent chance for
normal survival
Dsypnea - CORRECT ANSWER Difficult breathing, glottis being to partially relax. Body
and head lower into the water; more water is swallowed. Water starts to fill the lungs,
coughing and vomiting might occur. Victims become weaker from struggling and sinks
lower into the water
How long is Dsypnea? - CORRECT ANSWER 60-90 seconds
Terminal Apnea - CORRECT ANSWER Victim is unconscious and stops breathing.
Water is persistent in the lungs, lack of oxygen to the brain may cause convulsions.
Possible evacuation of the bladder and/or bowels.
How long is Terminal Apnea? - CORRECT ANSWER 90 seconds- 3 minutes. Survival
is likely but the longer the time period, the more probable it is that permanent
neurological damage occurs.
Cardiac Arrest - CORRECT ANSWER Heart ceases to function and pump blood. Eyes
dilate and skin turns blue. Without CPR, lack of oxygen will cause irreversible brain
damage
How long is cardiac arrest? - CORRECT ANSWER after 5 minutes, normal recovery is
unlikely unless water temperature is below 70 degrees
Different Types of Emergencies - CORRECT ANSWER Medical, water, missing
persons, environmental (weather), chemical, mechanical, facility, extreme violence
QUESTIONS & VERIFIED CORRECT
ANSWERS
What does the acronym PACA mean, and stand for? - CORRECT ANSWER It
represents the 4 steps in the decision-making process. The problem of the situation, the
alternatives, the consequences of the alternatives, and the final action or decision
What is the Q-1-2 system? - CORRECT ANSWER First asking a question, then a
warning, then taking a break. (ask to leave the pool)
What does the Q-1-2 system do for a lifeguard? - CORRECT ANSWER Helps become
consistent and fair, reduces stress and emotion of enforcing the rules, allows to be
focused on your designated area.
When enforcing the rules, what should you keep in mind? - CORRECT ANSWER Be
firm, fair, and tactful
What are the safety check systems? - CORRECT ANSWER Roll call, buddy system,
safety swim/band test, swim breaks, tag board, and multilevel safety approach
How many drownings a year are there? - CORRECT ANSWER Roughly 3,600
What is the ratio for drowning children 14 and younger? - CORRECT ANSWER 1:4
How long does it take for a person to slip under the surface? - CORRECT ANSWER It
takes 20-60 seconds
How long does it take an adult to struggle to stay above water? - CORRECT ANSWER
60 seconds
When can a child perhaps fall below the surface of the water? - CORRECT ANSWER
20 seconds
What is drowning? - CORRECT ANSWER It is the process of experiencing respiratory
impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid
What is a distressed swimmer? - CORRECT ANSWER Someone who is struggling to
stay above the water
, Early warning signs of drowning - CORRECT ANSWER A weak stroke, hair in the
eyes, glassy eyes, two heads together, hand waving, moving toward a pier, erratic
behavior, clinging to objects, neutral to negative buoyancy, inability to respond verbally
Characteristics of drowning victims - CORRECT ANSWER An inability to call for help &
a panicked facial expression, head back and body low into the water, arms extended
out from the sides and moving up and down ineffectively in an attempt to keep the face
above the water, little to no support from the kick, an upright (verticle) position facing the
nearest source of assistance
Stages of drowning - CORRECT ANSWER Initial Apnea, Dyspnea, Terminal Apnea,
Cardiac Arrest
Initial Apnea - CORRECT ANSWER The temporary loss of breathing, or holding of the
breath. Glottis is closed by reflex. Water in mouth and throat cuts off the air to the lungs:
Oxygen to the brain decreases.
How long is Initial Apnea? - CORRECT ANSWER 0-3 minutes, excellent chance for
normal survival
Dsypnea - CORRECT ANSWER Difficult breathing, glottis being to partially relax. Body
and head lower into the water; more water is swallowed. Water starts to fill the lungs,
coughing and vomiting might occur. Victims become weaker from struggling and sinks
lower into the water
How long is Dsypnea? - CORRECT ANSWER 60-90 seconds
Terminal Apnea - CORRECT ANSWER Victim is unconscious and stops breathing.
Water is persistent in the lungs, lack of oxygen to the brain may cause convulsions.
Possible evacuation of the bladder and/or bowels.
How long is Terminal Apnea? - CORRECT ANSWER 90 seconds- 3 minutes. Survival
is likely but the longer the time period, the more probable it is that permanent
neurological damage occurs.
Cardiac Arrest - CORRECT ANSWER Heart ceases to function and pump blood. Eyes
dilate and skin turns blue. Without CPR, lack of oxygen will cause irreversible brain
damage
How long is cardiac arrest? - CORRECT ANSWER after 5 minutes, normal recovery is
unlikely unless water temperature is below 70 degrees
Different Types of Emergencies - CORRECT ANSWER Medical, water, missing
persons, environmental (weather), chemical, mechanical, facility, extreme violence
