Red Cross Lifeguard Test: Certification Exam
Practice Questions & Answers Guide
what is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard
to prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility
1. monitoring activities in and out of the water
2. eliminating hazardous situations/behaviors
3. recognizing and responding to all emergencies
list five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with
patron surveillance
1. completing records and reports
2. pool maintenance
3. giving swim tests
4. giving swim lessons
5. testing pool water/chlorine levels
list five characteristics of a professional lifeguard
1. reliable
2. mature
3. courteous
4. positive
5. knowledgeable
lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty
C
a lifeguard is texting while on duty and fails to recognize a swimmer in distress.
What legal principle could be a problem for this lifeguard?
,negligence
list the five steps that a lifeguard should take when obtaining consent from an
injured or ill person before providing first aid or emergency care:
1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can help
4. explain that you'd like to help them
5. explain what you plan to do
why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to
perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety and rescue
equipment and EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the facility
d. all of the above
D
what does EAP stand for?
Emergency Action Plan
why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and
practice the EAP?
because everyone needs to know their responsibility and how to perform it effectively
what is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at
well-managed aquatic facilities?
at least 4 hours of in-service training each month
what does FIND stand for?
F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
what items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard?
- gloves
- gowns
, - protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
what equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all times while on
duty? List 2 and include reasons why.
1) rescue tube - can keep multiple victims afloat
2) hip-pack with gloves and resuscitation mask - needs to be instantly available incase
of an emergency
what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard? list at
least 2 and describe how/when each item is used.
1) backboard - removes victim from water when they can't do it themselves
2) AED - helps heart reestablish an affective rhythm
As a lifeguard you are responsible for:
consistently enforcing your facility's rules and regulations
list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility.
1. swim only when lifeguard is on duty
2. no swimming with open or infected wounds
3. no running, pushing, or rough play
4. obey lifeguard instruction
5. dive only in designated areas
explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue-ready"
equipped and rescue-ready means that you are wearing or carrying the appropriate
rescue equipment and ready to enter water for rescue
active victim front rescue
1. approach the victim from the front
2. grab rescue tube from under your arms and push the tube in front of you
3. thrust rescue tube slightly under water and into the victim's chest
4. keep kicking with your arms fully extended
in general there are three types of swimmer in distress or drowning victims. list
each type with three observable characteristics for each.
Distress swimmer:
- head above water
- floating or treading water
- trying to support self by holding or clinging to a lane line or safety line
Practice Questions & Answers Guide
what is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard
to prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility
1. monitoring activities in and out of the water
2. eliminating hazardous situations/behaviors
3. recognizing and responding to all emergencies
list five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with
patron surveillance
1. completing records and reports
2. pool maintenance
3. giving swim tests
4. giving swim lessons
5. testing pool water/chlorine levels
list five characteristics of a professional lifeguard
1. reliable
2. mature
3. courteous
4. positive
5. knowledgeable
lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty
C
a lifeguard is texting while on duty and fails to recognize a swimmer in distress.
What legal principle could be a problem for this lifeguard?
,negligence
list the five steps that a lifeguard should take when obtaining consent from an
injured or ill person before providing first aid or emergency care:
1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can help
4. explain that you'd like to help them
5. explain what you plan to do
why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to
perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety and rescue
equipment and EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the facility
d. all of the above
D
what does EAP stand for?
Emergency Action Plan
why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and
practice the EAP?
because everyone needs to know their responsibility and how to perform it effectively
what is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at
well-managed aquatic facilities?
at least 4 hours of in-service training each month
what does FIND stand for?
F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
what items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard?
- gloves
- gowns
, - protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
what equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all times while on
duty? List 2 and include reasons why.
1) rescue tube - can keep multiple victims afloat
2) hip-pack with gloves and resuscitation mask - needs to be instantly available incase
of an emergency
what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard? list at
least 2 and describe how/when each item is used.
1) backboard - removes victim from water when they can't do it themselves
2) AED - helps heart reestablish an affective rhythm
As a lifeguard you are responsible for:
consistently enforcing your facility's rules and regulations
list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility.
1. swim only when lifeguard is on duty
2. no swimming with open or infected wounds
3. no running, pushing, or rough play
4. obey lifeguard instruction
5. dive only in designated areas
explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue-ready"
equipped and rescue-ready means that you are wearing or carrying the appropriate
rescue equipment and ready to enter water for rescue
active victim front rescue
1. approach the victim from the front
2. grab rescue tube from under your arms and push the tube in front of you
3. thrust rescue tube slightly under water and into the victim's chest
4. keep kicking with your arms fully extended
in general there are three types of swimmer in distress or drowning victims. list
each type with three observable characteristics for each.
Distress swimmer:
- head above water
- floating or treading water
- trying to support self by holding or clinging to a lane line or safety line
