ELLIS AND ASSOCIATES LIFEGUARD TEST
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE RESPONSES GRADED
A+
◉ Shelter During Thunderstorms. Answer: • If outside, take shelter
in a building, completely enclosed structure, or hardtop vehicle
• Protect yourself from lightning - avoid shelter areas that are not
fully enclosed
• Once guests are secure indoors, advise them to stay clear of metal
objects, plumbing and even land lines. All three can conduct
electricity from a direct lightning strike
• Check with the National Weather Service or National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for additional information
about lightning safety
◉ N.O.A.A. Answer: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
◉ Wind. Answer: Can agitate the water's surface enough to affect
your ability to see the pool bottom. Wind gusts can be dangerous,
resulting in flying objects like furniture, umbrellas, towels, water
bottles, and other items that are not secured.
- Emergency Action Plan (EAP) provides procedures in case wind
conditions become dangerous.
,◉ Tornados. Answer: Watch - A tornado watch means that tornadoes
are possible. Tornado watches are issued long before a storm
potentially reaches the area where the tornado may touch down.
Warning - A tornado warning means that a tornado has touched
down.
◉ Other Unique Weather Conditions. Answer: As with other
environmental conditions, follow your Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
to provide for the safety of your guests and yourself.
◉ Hydration. Answer: Staying hydrated keeps lifeguards alert and
vigilant.
◉ Dehydration. Answer: Inadequate hydration can lead to
dehydration, a loss of body fluid that leads to fatigue.
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout your shift to avoid the effects of
dehydration.
◉ Chemical Safety. Answer: Employers implement a Hazard
Communication Standard to reduce and prevent injury and illness
resulting from exposure to chemicals. (required by OSHA)
- This standard is met by requiring facilities to provide and make
available Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical.
,◉ O.S.H.A. Answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
◉ S.D.S. Answer: Safety Data Sheet
◉ Lifeguards have a Right to Know About Chemicals. Answer: •
What hazardous chemicals are in their facility • Where the chemicals
are stored in the facility
• How to properly store the chemicals
• The risks and dangers of each chemical
• How to protect themselves from the chemical
• What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is needed when using
the chemicals
• How to handle the chemicals
• How to handle exposure and what treatment is needed
• Where the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are located
◉ Water Chemistry. Answer: It impacts the water clarity for you to
safely see your zone, but it can also affect whether or not
contaminants like bacteria from recreational water borne illnesses
are able to live and grow in the water.
- A Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or an Aquatic Facility Operator
(AFO) will handle the responsibility of managing the facility's water
chemistry, adjusting chemicals, and maintaining the filtration
system.
, ◉ A.F.O. Answer: Aquatic Facility Operator
◉ C.P.O. Answer: Certified Pool Operator
◉ Water Quality in Pools and Hot Tubs. Answer: Chlorine (in some
form) is one of the most common chemicals used to disinfect water.
When dissolved in water, chlorine disinfects and sanitizes the water
by killing germs and oxidizing contaminants.
◉ pH. Answer: potential Hydrogen:
- measured on a scale that runs from 0 to 14.
- 7 is neutral, meaning there is a balance between acidity and
alkalinity.
- pH is above 7, the water is more basic (alkaline)
- Below 7 the water is more acidic.
- The optimum pH for pool water is typically at or near 7.4.
◉ Water Quality in Natural Body of Water Facilities. Answer: Natural
body water facilities can be affected by algae blooms and pollutants
such as runoff from heavy storms, industrial waste, oil spills, wildlife
waste, fertilizer, pesticides, boating waste, and littering.
◉ R.W.I. Answer: Recreational waterborne illnesses:
PAPER 2026 COMPLETE RESPONSES GRADED
A+
◉ Shelter During Thunderstorms. Answer: • If outside, take shelter
in a building, completely enclosed structure, or hardtop vehicle
• Protect yourself from lightning - avoid shelter areas that are not
fully enclosed
• Once guests are secure indoors, advise them to stay clear of metal
objects, plumbing and even land lines. All three can conduct
electricity from a direct lightning strike
• Check with the National Weather Service or National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for additional information
about lightning safety
◉ N.O.A.A. Answer: National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
◉ Wind. Answer: Can agitate the water's surface enough to affect
your ability to see the pool bottom. Wind gusts can be dangerous,
resulting in flying objects like furniture, umbrellas, towels, water
bottles, and other items that are not secured.
- Emergency Action Plan (EAP) provides procedures in case wind
conditions become dangerous.
,◉ Tornados. Answer: Watch - A tornado watch means that tornadoes
are possible. Tornado watches are issued long before a storm
potentially reaches the area where the tornado may touch down.
Warning - A tornado warning means that a tornado has touched
down.
◉ Other Unique Weather Conditions. Answer: As with other
environmental conditions, follow your Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
to provide for the safety of your guests and yourself.
◉ Hydration. Answer: Staying hydrated keeps lifeguards alert and
vigilant.
◉ Dehydration. Answer: Inadequate hydration can lead to
dehydration, a loss of body fluid that leads to fatigue.
- Drink plenty of fluids throughout your shift to avoid the effects of
dehydration.
◉ Chemical Safety. Answer: Employers implement a Hazard
Communication Standard to reduce and prevent injury and illness
resulting from exposure to chemicals. (required by OSHA)
- This standard is met by requiring facilities to provide and make
available Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each chemical.
,◉ O.S.H.A. Answer: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
◉ S.D.S. Answer: Safety Data Sheet
◉ Lifeguards have a Right to Know About Chemicals. Answer: •
What hazardous chemicals are in their facility • Where the chemicals
are stored in the facility
• How to properly store the chemicals
• The risks and dangers of each chemical
• How to protect themselves from the chemical
• What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is needed when using
the chemicals
• How to handle the chemicals
• How to handle exposure and what treatment is needed
• Where the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are located
◉ Water Chemistry. Answer: It impacts the water clarity for you to
safely see your zone, but it can also affect whether or not
contaminants like bacteria from recreational water borne illnesses
are able to live and grow in the water.
- A Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or an Aquatic Facility Operator
(AFO) will handle the responsibility of managing the facility's water
chemistry, adjusting chemicals, and maintaining the filtration
system.
, ◉ A.F.O. Answer: Aquatic Facility Operator
◉ C.P.O. Answer: Certified Pool Operator
◉ Water Quality in Pools and Hot Tubs. Answer: Chlorine (in some
form) is one of the most common chemicals used to disinfect water.
When dissolved in water, chlorine disinfects and sanitizes the water
by killing germs and oxidizing contaminants.
◉ pH. Answer: potential Hydrogen:
- measured on a scale that runs from 0 to 14.
- 7 is neutral, meaning there is a balance between acidity and
alkalinity.
- pH is above 7, the water is more basic (alkaline)
- Below 7 the water is more acidic.
- The optimum pH for pool water is typically at or near 7.4.
◉ Water Quality in Natural Body of Water Facilities. Answer: Natural
body water facilities can be affected by algae blooms and pollutants
such as runoff from heavy storms, industrial waste, oil spills, wildlife
waste, fertilizer, pesticides, boating waste, and littering.
◉ R.W.I. Answer: Recreational waterborne illnesses:
