Lifeguard Test: Red Cross
2026/2027 Edition | 100 Questions
Real Exam-Based Questions & Verified Answers with 100% Accuracy
Paramedic Program Admission Prep | Graded A+
Q1: A lifeguard is assigned to cover Zone 1. During the shift, the lifeguard notices the
water temperature has risen above 90°F. What should the lifeguard do first?
A. Lower the water temperature immediately.
B. Increase hydration breaks and monitor patrons for heat-related illness.
C. Close the facility entirely.
D. Tell patrons to stop swimming.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC facility safety guidelines, when water temperature exceeds
90°F, the lifeguard should increase hydration breaks and actively monitor patrons for signs of
heat-related illness such as heat cramps, exhaustion, or heat stroke. The lifeguard does not
control water temperature directly but can mitigate risk through surveillance and patron
education.
Q2: Which of the following is an example of a secondary responsibility that does NOT
interfere with surveillance?
A. Teaching a swim lesson.
B. Distributing lost-and-found items.
C. Cleaning the pool deck.
D. Restocking the first aid kit.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because per ARC professional responsibilities guidelines,
restocking the first aid kit is a secondary responsibility that can be performed without
leaving the lifeguard chair or compromising surveillance. Teaching lessons, distributing
,items, and cleaning the deck all require the lifeguard to leave the chair, which interferes
with the primary responsibility of prevention through surveillance.
Q3: A patron asks a lifeguard, "Can I get a band-aid for my scraped knee?" The lifeguard
is the only one on duty. What is the best response?
A. "Sure, come with me to the first aid station."
B. "I can't leave my post, but there are bandages in the first aid kit by the shallow
end."
C. "Wait until my break in 20 minutes."
D. "Just put some water on it."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC professional responsibility guidelines, the lifeguard's
primary duty is surveillance and cannot leave the chair for non-emergency tasks. Directing the
patron to self-service first aid supplies maintains surveillance while still addressing the patron's
need. Leaving the chair for a band-aid compromises safety for all patrons.
Q4: A lifeguard witnesses a patron slip and injure their ankle on the wet deck. The
patron is in pain but can walk. What type of consent applies if the lifeguard offers to
help the patron to the first aid station?
A. No consent is needed.
B. Expressed consent.
C. Implied consent.
D. Written consent.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because expressed consent is given directly by the patron through verbal or
non-verbal communication. Per ARC legal guidelines, even for non-emergency assistance, the
lifeguard should obtain expressed consent before providing care. Implied consent applies only
when the patron is unconscious or unable to communicate.
,Q5: A patron is found unconscious at the bottom of a diving well. The lifeguard enters
the water and brings the patron to the surface. The patron is not breathing and has no
pulse. What is the first action after bringing the patron to the edge?
A. Give 2 rescue breaths immediately.
B. Begin CPR with chest compressions.
C. Shake the patron to see if they respond.
D. Wait for EMS to arrive.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC CPR/AED guidelines, for an unresponsive victim with no
breathing and no pulse, the lifeguard should begin CPR immediately starting with chest
compressions (CAB sequence). Rescue breaths are given after 30 compressions, but
compressions are the priority to maintain blood flow to the brain and heart.
Q6: What does the "D" in the CAB sequence stand for?
A. Defibrillation.
B. Disability.
C. Diagnosis.
D. Delivery of care.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because CAB stands for Circulation, Airway, Breathing, with the "C"
representing chest compressions (circulation), "A" representing opening the airway, and "B"
representing rescue breaths. However, per ARC guidelines, the sequence emphasizes that
Circulation (compressions) comes first, followed by Airway, then Breathing. Defibrillation is
integrated via AED use as soon as available.
Q7: A lifeguard is performing two-rescuer CPR on a child. The child is approximately 8
years old. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?
A. 15:1.
B. 30:2.
C. 15:2.
D. 5:1.
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Correct because per ARC CPR/AED guidelines, for two-rescuer CPR on a child (age
1 to puberty) and infant, the compression-to-ventilation ratio is 15:2. The 30:2 ratio is used for
single-rescuer CPR on adults, children, and infants, and for two-rescuer CPR on adults only.
Q8: A lifeguard notices a patron who is lying on their back in the water, arms spread
out, not making any forward progress, and their face is in the water. What should the
lifeguard recognize this as?
A. The patron is sunbathing.
B. The patron is treading water.
C. The patron is actively drowning and needs immediate rescue.
D. The patron is doing the backstroke.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because per ARC victim recognition guidelines, a patron who is face-down
in the water, arms spread, not making forward progress, and unable to call for help is exhibiting
the instinctive drowning response and is actively drowning. The lifeguard must recognize this
immediately and enter the water to rescue. Sunbathing and backstroke involve visible effort and
breathing.
Q9: A lifeguard is using an AED on an adult victim. The AED analyzes the rhythm and
announces "Shock Advised." What should the lifeguard do?
A. Press the shock button immediately while continuing compressions.
B. Ensure no one is touching the victim, then press the shock button.
C. Give 2 rescue breaths before shocking.
D. Continue CPR and ignore the AED.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC AED guidelines, when the AED advises a shock, the
lifeguard must ensure no one is touching the victim, verbally announce "Clear," and then press
the shock button. After the shock is delivered, CPR should resume immediately starting with
compressions. Compressions should not be performed during shock delivery.
2026/2027 Edition | 100 Questions
Real Exam-Based Questions & Verified Answers with 100% Accuracy
Paramedic Program Admission Prep | Graded A+
Q1: A lifeguard is assigned to cover Zone 1. During the shift, the lifeguard notices the
water temperature has risen above 90°F. What should the lifeguard do first?
A. Lower the water temperature immediately.
B. Increase hydration breaks and monitor patrons for heat-related illness.
C. Close the facility entirely.
D. Tell patrons to stop swimming.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC facility safety guidelines, when water temperature exceeds
90°F, the lifeguard should increase hydration breaks and actively monitor patrons for signs of
heat-related illness such as heat cramps, exhaustion, or heat stroke. The lifeguard does not
control water temperature directly but can mitigate risk through surveillance and patron
education.
Q2: Which of the following is an example of a secondary responsibility that does NOT
interfere with surveillance?
A. Teaching a swim lesson.
B. Distributing lost-and-found items.
C. Cleaning the pool deck.
D. Restocking the first aid kit.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because per ARC professional responsibilities guidelines,
restocking the first aid kit is a secondary responsibility that can be performed without
leaving the lifeguard chair or compromising surveillance. Teaching lessons, distributing
,items, and cleaning the deck all require the lifeguard to leave the chair, which interferes
with the primary responsibility of prevention through surveillance.
Q3: A patron asks a lifeguard, "Can I get a band-aid for my scraped knee?" The lifeguard
is the only one on duty. What is the best response?
A. "Sure, come with me to the first aid station."
B. "I can't leave my post, but there are bandages in the first aid kit by the shallow
end."
C. "Wait until my break in 20 minutes."
D. "Just put some water on it."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC professional responsibility guidelines, the lifeguard's
primary duty is surveillance and cannot leave the chair for non-emergency tasks. Directing the
patron to self-service first aid supplies maintains surveillance while still addressing the patron's
need. Leaving the chair for a band-aid compromises safety for all patrons.
Q4: A lifeguard witnesses a patron slip and injure their ankle on the wet deck. The
patron is in pain but can walk. What type of consent applies if the lifeguard offers to
help the patron to the first aid station?
A. No consent is needed.
B. Expressed consent.
C. Implied consent.
D. Written consent.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because expressed consent is given directly by the patron through verbal or
non-verbal communication. Per ARC legal guidelines, even for non-emergency assistance, the
lifeguard should obtain expressed consent before providing care. Implied consent applies only
when the patron is unconscious or unable to communicate.
,Q5: A patron is found unconscious at the bottom of a diving well. The lifeguard enters
the water and brings the patron to the surface. The patron is not breathing and has no
pulse. What is the first action after bringing the patron to the edge?
A. Give 2 rescue breaths immediately.
B. Begin CPR with chest compressions.
C. Shake the patron to see if they respond.
D. Wait for EMS to arrive.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC CPR/AED guidelines, for an unresponsive victim with no
breathing and no pulse, the lifeguard should begin CPR immediately starting with chest
compressions (CAB sequence). Rescue breaths are given after 30 compressions, but
compressions are the priority to maintain blood flow to the brain and heart.
Q6: What does the "D" in the CAB sequence stand for?
A. Defibrillation.
B. Disability.
C. Diagnosis.
D. Delivery of care.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Correct because CAB stands for Circulation, Airway, Breathing, with the "C"
representing chest compressions (circulation), "A" representing opening the airway, and "B"
representing rescue breaths. However, per ARC guidelines, the sequence emphasizes that
Circulation (compressions) comes first, followed by Airway, then Breathing. Defibrillation is
integrated via AED use as soon as available.
Q7: A lifeguard is performing two-rescuer CPR on a child. The child is approximately 8
years old. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio?
A. 15:1.
B. 30:2.
C. 15:2.
D. 5:1.
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Correct because per ARC CPR/AED guidelines, for two-rescuer CPR on a child (age
1 to puberty) and infant, the compression-to-ventilation ratio is 15:2. The 30:2 ratio is used for
single-rescuer CPR on adults, children, and infants, and for two-rescuer CPR on adults only.
Q8: A lifeguard notices a patron who is lying on their back in the water, arms spread
out, not making any forward progress, and their face is in the water. What should the
lifeguard recognize this as?
A. The patron is sunbathing.
B. The patron is treading water.
C. The patron is actively drowning and needs immediate rescue.
D. The patron is doing the backstroke.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because per ARC victim recognition guidelines, a patron who is face-down
in the water, arms spread, not making forward progress, and unable to call for help is exhibiting
the instinctive drowning response and is actively drowning. The lifeguard must recognize this
immediately and enter the water to rescue. Sunbathing and backstroke involve visible effort and
breathing.
Q9: A lifeguard is using an AED on an adult victim. The AED analyzes the rhythm and
announces "Shock Advised." What should the lifeguard do?
A. Press the shock button immediately while continuing compressions.
B. Ensure no one is touching the victim, then press the shock button.
C. Give 2 rescue breaths before shocking.
D. Continue CPR and ignore the AED.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because per ARC AED guidelines, when the AED advises a shock, the
lifeguard must ensure no one is touching the victim, verbally announce "Clear," and then press
the shock button. After the shock is delivered, CPR should resume immediately starting with
compressions. Compressions should not be performed during shock delivery.
