RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING MULTIPLE
CHOICE 2026 EXAM STUDY GUIDE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED GRADED A+
⩥ provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary
responsibility. Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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?.
Answer: 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:. Answer: 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. Answer: D
⩥ what does EAP stand for?. Answer: Emergency Action Plan
⩥ why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to
understand and practice the EAP?. Answer: 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?. Answer: at least 4
hours of in-service training each month
⩥ what does FIND stand for?. Answer: 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?. Answer: - 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.. Answer: 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..
Answer: 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:. Answer: consistently
enforcing your facility's rules and regulations
⩥ list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility.. Answer: 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
CHOICE 2026 EXAM STUDY GUIDE
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS VERIFIED GRADED A+
⩥ provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary
responsibility. Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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. Answer: 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?.
Answer: 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:. Answer: 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. Answer: D
⩥ what does EAP stand for?. Answer: Emergency Action Plan
⩥ why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to
understand and practice the EAP?. Answer: 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?. Answer: at least 4
hours of in-service training each month
⩥ what does FIND stand for?. Answer: 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?. Answer: - 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.. Answer: 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..
Answer: 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:. Answer: consistently
enforcing your facility's rules and regulations
⩥ list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility.. Answer: 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
