Red Cross Lifeguarding Multiple Choice
Exam Questions and Answers | Complete
Review with Detailed Rationales | Grade
A+
In which scenario is a lifeguard demonstrating characteristics of professional
appearance while conducting surveillance
a. using a mobile phone
b. socializing with patrons
c. assuming a relaxed posture
d. wearing a lifeguard uniform properly -✓✓d. wearing the lifeguard uniform properly
What immediate action should a lifeguard take when they hear thunder in the distance?
a. clear patrons from the water
b. count the seconds between claps of thunder
c. monitor weather reports to watch for storms
d. allows patrons to remain in the water until lightning is spotted -✓✓a. clear patrons
from the water
A lifeguard is conducting surveillance from a ground-level station. The water depth in
their zone is 4 feet. A person at the far end of their zone starts to display active
drowning behaviors. The water in front of their zone is crowded with patrons.
Which entry should the lifeguard use in this situation?
a. stride jump
b. side-in entry
c. compact jump
d. run-and-swim entry -✓✓b. side-in entry
A patron in the water is vertical, struggling to keep their face above the water, has their
arms extended to their sides, is pressing down for support and is not making any
forward progress in the water.
Which situation do these behaviors describe?
a. distressed swimmer
b. active drowning person
c. passive drowning person
d. person with potential spinal injury -✓✓b. active drowning person
Which behavior does a passive drowning person exhibit?
a. may be clinging to the line for support
b. struggles at the surface of the water
c. has defined arm and leg movements leading to purposeful movement
, d. appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking, or on the bottom -✓✓d.
appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking, or on the bottom
How often should a lifeguard complete a scan of their entire zone?
a. every 15 seconds
b. every 30 seconds
c. every 45 seconds
d. every 90 seconds -✓✓b. every 30 seconds
Which action indicates that a lifeguard is using an effective scanning technique?
a. sits still to prevent to much distracting body movement
b. mentally rehearses how to perform a rescue to help stay alert and prepared
c. moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
d. focuses most of their attention on high-risk patrons, occasionally glancing at other
patrons -✓✓c. moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
Sun glare on the water surface is making it difficult for a lifeguard to see patrons on one
side of their surveillance area. The lifeguard stands up and attempts to look around and
through the glare without success.
Which action should the lifeguard take in this situation?
a. signal for assistance
b. keep trying to adjust their position
c. wait for the sun position to change
d. move patrons to an area not affected by glare -✓✓a. signal for assistance
A lifeguard station response time testing should be completed within how many
minutes?
a. 1 1/2 to 2
b. 4 1/2 to 5
c. 6 to 8
d. 9 to 10 -✓✓a. 1 1/2 to 2
Which scenario describes preventive lifeguarding?
a. a lifeguard occasionally bends the rules for their friends
b. a lifeguard grabs a childs inflatable toy and removes it from the water
c. a lifeguard calls the facility manager to discuss a scheduling conflict
d. a lifeguard asks a patron to stop hyperventilating and explains why its dangerous -
✓✓d. a lifeguard asks a patron to stop hyperventilating and explains why its dangerous
How should a lifeguard respond to a group of adolescents aggressively dunking one
another?
a. ask the patrons to leave the facility
b. loudly tell the patrons to stop dunking
c. keep blowing their whistle until the dunking stops
Exam Questions and Answers | Complete
Review with Detailed Rationales | Grade
A+
In which scenario is a lifeguard demonstrating characteristics of professional
appearance while conducting surveillance
a. using a mobile phone
b. socializing with patrons
c. assuming a relaxed posture
d. wearing a lifeguard uniform properly -✓✓d. wearing the lifeguard uniform properly
What immediate action should a lifeguard take when they hear thunder in the distance?
a. clear patrons from the water
b. count the seconds between claps of thunder
c. monitor weather reports to watch for storms
d. allows patrons to remain in the water until lightning is spotted -✓✓a. clear patrons
from the water
A lifeguard is conducting surveillance from a ground-level station. The water depth in
their zone is 4 feet. A person at the far end of their zone starts to display active
drowning behaviors. The water in front of their zone is crowded with patrons.
Which entry should the lifeguard use in this situation?
a. stride jump
b. side-in entry
c. compact jump
d. run-and-swim entry -✓✓b. side-in entry
A patron in the water is vertical, struggling to keep their face above the water, has their
arms extended to their sides, is pressing down for support and is not making any
forward progress in the water.
Which situation do these behaviors describe?
a. distressed swimmer
b. active drowning person
c. passive drowning person
d. person with potential spinal injury -✓✓b. active drowning person
Which behavior does a passive drowning person exhibit?
a. may be clinging to the line for support
b. struggles at the surface of the water
c. has defined arm and leg movements leading to purposeful movement
, d. appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking, or on the bottom -✓✓d.
appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking, or on the bottom
How often should a lifeguard complete a scan of their entire zone?
a. every 15 seconds
b. every 30 seconds
c. every 45 seconds
d. every 90 seconds -✓✓b. every 30 seconds
Which action indicates that a lifeguard is using an effective scanning technique?
a. sits still to prevent to much distracting body movement
b. mentally rehearses how to perform a rescue to help stay alert and prepared
c. moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
d. focuses most of their attention on high-risk patrons, occasionally glancing at other
patrons -✓✓c. moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
Sun glare on the water surface is making it difficult for a lifeguard to see patrons on one
side of their surveillance area. The lifeguard stands up and attempts to look around and
through the glare without success.
Which action should the lifeguard take in this situation?
a. signal for assistance
b. keep trying to adjust their position
c. wait for the sun position to change
d. move patrons to an area not affected by glare -✓✓a. signal for assistance
A lifeguard station response time testing should be completed within how many
minutes?
a. 1 1/2 to 2
b. 4 1/2 to 5
c. 6 to 8
d. 9 to 10 -✓✓a. 1 1/2 to 2
Which scenario describes preventive lifeguarding?
a. a lifeguard occasionally bends the rules for their friends
b. a lifeguard grabs a childs inflatable toy and removes it from the water
c. a lifeguard calls the facility manager to discuss a scheduling conflict
d. a lifeguard asks a patron to stop hyperventilating and explains why its dangerous -
✓✓d. a lifeguard asks a patron to stop hyperventilating and explains why its dangerous
How should a lifeguard respond to a group of adolescents aggressively dunking one
another?
a. ask the patrons to leave the facility
b. loudly tell the patrons to stop dunking
c. keep blowing their whistle until the dunking stops
