American Red Cross Lifeguard Test A Mock Exam 2026 |
Trusted Questions & Answers
1. If you encounter a victim in deep water with a suspected spinal injury, what is
the first action you should take before attempting a rescue?
Use the head splint technique to stabilize the victim.
Attempt to bring the victim to the surface for CPR.
Perform a quick rescue without stabilizing the head.
Immediately call for emergency medical services.
2. What is one factor that is considered least important for ensuring safety
during a group visit to a pool?
Ensuring there are multiple activities planned for the group.
Having trained lifeguards on duty.
Conducting a pre-visit safety briefing.
Establishing clear communication protocols.
3. What is the correct order for securing straps on a backboard for a victim with
a suspected spinal injury?
Upper chest, hips, thighs
Upper chest, thighs, hips
Hips, thighs, upper chest
Thighs, upper chest, hips
4. You are at a local lake and notice an adult diving off a platform in the shallow
water. The man dives in but does not come back out. As you approach the
scene, you see that the man is in the water, face-down. Several bystanders
, are present, but no one has acted. What is the first action you would take to
help the man?
Wade into the water with a large board, placing it under him to
support his waist and bring his head above the water.
Check to see if a lifeguard or other trained professional is present
before touching or moving the man.
Position the person face-up at the surface of the water and perform a
beach drag to get the man to shore.
Bring the man's head and neck above the water, minimizing their
movement.
5. A patron collides with another swimmer while diving into the pool and asks
the lifeguard for help. Without performing an assessment, the lifeguard tells
the patron that they can continue swimming. The patron leaves the facility
and seeks medical attention from a hospital after they begins to feel tingling
sensations in their arms and legs. The lifeguard may be:
A Good Samaritan.
Using the RID factor.
Following the refusal-of-care principle.
Negligent.
6. Describe the significance of the SAMPLE acronym in emergency victim
assessment.
The SAMPLE acronym outlines the steps for effective scanning.
The SAMPLE acronym is used to determine the lifeguard's
responsibilities.
The SAMPLE acronym helps lifeguards gather critical information
about a victim's health status.
, The SAMPLE acronym is a method for training lifeguards.
7. If a lifeguard observes multiple patrons running on the deck, what should be
the lifeguard's course of action to effectively manage the situation?
Call for backup without addressing the patrons.
Blow the whistle and then ignore them if they stop.
Leave the area to avoid escalating the situation.
Address each patron individually and explain the risks while
enforcing the rules.
8. The life guards are on surveillance duty during a public swim. You are on a
break. One lifeguard activates the facility's EAP for a submerged passive
victim and enters the water. Which steps should you take next to assist in the
rescue?
Notify the manager to assist.
Provide emergency total zone coverage while other lifeguards assist
the victim.
Instruct bystanders how to assist the lifeguards, document witness
accounts and provide crowd control.
Bring the backboard to the lifeguard and assist in removing the
victim from the water as the other lifeguard clears the pool.
9. In a situation where a lifeguard encounters a victim face-down in shallow
water with a suspected spinal injury, what steps should the lifeguard take after
applying the head splint technique?
Call for emergency medical assistance while maintaining the head
splint.
Perform rescue breaths to ensure the victim is breathing.
, Immediately attempt to turn the victim onto their back.
Leave the victim to seek help from another lifeguard.
10. Describe the purpose of the head splint technique in lifeguarding scenarios
involving suspected spinal injuries.
The head splint technique allows for quick extraction from the water.
The head splint technique is primarily for victims who are conscious
and responsive.
The head splint technique is used to facilitate breathing in
unconscious victims.
The head splint technique is used to minimize movement of the
victim's head and neck to prevent further injury.
11. Describe the importance of minimizing movement in a victim with a
suspected head, neck, or spinal injury.
Minimizing movement helps in performing CPR effectively.
Minimizing movement prevents further injury to the spinal cord.
Minimizing movement allows for quicker extraction from the water.
Minimizing movement is unnecessary if the victim is conscious.
12. Describe the importance of a lifeguard's duty to act when observing a
swimmer in trouble.
A lifeguard's duty to act is less important than calling for backup.
A lifeguard's duty to act is crucial for ensuring the safety of patrons
and preventing drowning incidents.
A lifeguard's duty to act is primarily to maintain order in the pool.
Trusted Questions & Answers
1. If you encounter a victim in deep water with a suspected spinal injury, what is
the first action you should take before attempting a rescue?
Use the head splint technique to stabilize the victim.
Attempt to bring the victim to the surface for CPR.
Perform a quick rescue without stabilizing the head.
Immediately call for emergency medical services.
2. What is one factor that is considered least important for ensuring safety
during a group visit to a pool?
Ensuring there are multiple activities planned for the group.
Having trained lifeguards on duty.
Conducting a pre-visit safety briefing.
Establishing clear communication protocols.
3. What is the correct order for securing straps on a backboard for a victim with
a suspected spinal injury?
Upper chest, hips, thighs
Upper chest, thighs, hips
Hips, thighs, upper chest
Thighs, upper chest, hips
4. You are at a local lake and notice an adult diving off a platform in the shallow
water. The man dives in but does not come back out. As you approach the
scene, you see that the man is in the water, face-down. Several bystanders
, are present, but no one has acted. What is the first action you would take to
help the man?
Wade into the water with a large board, placing it under him to
support his waist and bring his head above the water.
Check to see if a lifeguard or other trained professional is present
before touching or moving the man.
Position the person face-up at the surface of the water and perform a
beach drag to get the man to shore.
Bring the man's head and neck above the water, minimizing their
movement.
5. A patron collides with another swimmer while diving into the pool and asks
the lifeguard for help. Without performing an assessment, the lifeguard tells
the patron that they can continue swimming. The patron leaves the facility
and seeks medical attention from a hospital after they begins to feel tingling
sensations in their arms and legs. The lifeguard may be:
A Good Samaritan.
Using the RID factor.
Following the refusal-of-care principle.
Negligent.
6. Describe the significance of the SAMPLE acronym in emergency victim
assessment.
The SAMPLE acronym outlines the steps for effective scanning.
The SAMPLE acronym is used to determine the lifeguard's
responsibilities.
The SAMPLE acronym helps lifeguards gather critical information
about a victim's health status.
, The SAMPLE acronym is a method for training lifeguards.
7. If a lifeguard observes multiple patrons running on the deck, what should be
the lifeguard's course of action to effectively manage the situation?
Call for backup without addressing the patrons.
Blow the whistle and then ignore them if they stop.
Leave the area to avoid escalating the situation.
Address each patron individually and explain the risks while
enforcing the rules.
8. The life guards are on surveillance duty during a public swim. You are on a
break. One lifeguard activates the facility's EAP for a submerged passive
victim and enters the water. Which steps should you take next to assist in the
rescue?
Notify the manager to assist.
Provide emergency total zone coverage while other lifeguards assist
the victim.
Instruct bystanders how to assist the lifeguards, document witness
accounts and provide crowd control.
Bring the backboard to the lifeguard and assist in removing the
victim from the water as the other lifeguard clears the pool.
9. In a situation where a lifeguard encounters a victim face-down in shallow
water with a suspected spinal injury, what steps should the lifeguard take after
applying the head splint technique?
Call for emergency medical assistance while maintaining the head
splint.
Perform rescue breaths to ensure the victim is breathing.
, Immediately attempt to turn the victim onto their back.
Leave the victim to seek help from another lifeguard.
10. Describe the purpose of the head splint technique in lifeguarding scenarios
involving suspected spinal injuries.
The head splint technique allows for quick extraction from the water.
The head splint technique is primarily for victims who are conscious
and responsive.
The head splint technique is used to facilitate breathing in
unconscious victims.
The head splint technique is used to minimize movement of the
victim's head and neck to prevent further injury.
11. Describe the importance of minimizing movement in a victim with a
suspected head, neck, or spinal injury.
Minimizing movement helps in performing CPR effectively.
Minimizing movement prevents further injury to the spinal cord.
Minimizing movement allows for quicker extraction from the water.
Minimizing movement is unnecessary if the victim is conscious.
12. Describe the importance of a lifeguard's duty to act when observing a
swimmer in trouble.
A lifeguard's duty to act is less important than calling for backup.
A lifeguard's duty to act is crucial for ensuring the safety of patrons
and preventing drowning incidents.
A lifeguard's duty to act is primarily to maintain order in the pool.
