American Red Cross Lifeguarding Exam
Questions With Verified Answers
What does the primary responsibility of a lifeguard include?
A. conduct surveillance
B. administer swim tests
C. assist patrons with questions
D. ensure that resuscitation equipment is working properly
a. conduct surveillance
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
d. ask the patrons to stop dunking and briefly explain why it is dangerous
d. ask the patrons to stop dunking and briefly explain why it is dangerous
What factor should a lifeguard on duty in a zone that includes a swim team practice consider?
a. swimming in lanes prevents swimmers from colliding
b. the coach is responsible for surveillance and scanning of the team
c. competitive swimmers are still susceptible to experiencing a medal emergency and drowning
d. swim team members are well-behaved, and rule enforcement is not needed
Questions With Verified Answers
What does the primary responsibility of a lifeguard include?
A. conduct surveillance
B. administer swim tests
C. assist patrons with questions
D. ensure that resuscitation equipment is working properly
a. conduct surveillance
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
d. ask the patrons to stop dunking and briefly explain why it is dangerous
d. ask the patrons to stop dunking and briefly explain why it is dangerous
What factor should a lifeguard on duty in a zone that includes a swim team practice consider?
a. swimming in lanes prevents swimmers from colliding
b. the coach is responsible for surveillance and scanning of the team
c. competitive swimmers are still susceptible to experiencing a medal emergency and drowning
d. swim team members are well-behaved, and rule enforcement is not needed
