American Red Cross Lifeguarding Exam 2023
What will American Red Cross Lifeguarding class teach you? (pg. 2) - ANSWER Teach
you skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Teach land and water
rescue skills plus first aid and CPR
Primary Responsibilities of Lifeguards (pg. 2) - ANSWER Monitor activities in and near
water, prevent injuries by minimalizing hazardous situations, enforce facility rules,
recognize and respond quickly, administering first aid and CPR, work as a team with
other facility employees
Secondary Responsibilities of Lifeguards (pg. 2-3) - ANSWER test pool water
chemistry, assisting patrons, cleaning/maintenance of pool area, completing records and
reports
(pg. 4) Professional Lifeguards SHOULD NOT - ANSWER Leave your posted station
or area while on duty, use mobile phones or other types of communication while on duty,
slouch in chair, participate in conversation with other patrons or lifeguard staff, eat on
stand, use alcohol or drugs (any that could negatively impact your alertness)
F.I.N.D (pg. 6) - ANSWER F=Figure out the problem
I= Identify possible solutions
N= Name the pros and cons for each solution.
D= Decide which solution is best, then act on it
EAP (pg. 6) - ANSWER Emergency Action Plan
Duty to Act (pg. 6) - ANSWER While on the job, you have legal responsibility to act in
an emergency
Negligence (pg. 6) - ANSWER When a person receiving emergency care has
additional harm because lifeguards failed to follow the standard of care
Consent (pg. 6) - ANSWER All people giving medical care MUST obtain consent
before helping an individual
Rescue Tube (pg. 13) - ANSWER 45-54 inch vinyl, foam-filled tube with an attached
tow line and shoulder strap capable of keeping victims afloat
Resuscitation Masks (pg. 13) - ANSWER Transparent, flexible device that creates a
tight seal over the victims mouth and nose to allow you to breathe air into a victim
without making mouth-to-mouth contact.
,Gloves (pg. 13) - ANSWER Disposable (single-use) gloves are used to protect
employees that may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids.
Backboards (pg. 13) - ANSWER Standard piece of equipment used at aquatics
facilities to remove victims from water when they are unable to exit the water on their
own. Backboards are also used during head, neck, or back injuries
PPE (pg. 14) - ANSWER Personal Protective Equipment: specialized clothing,
equipment, and supplies used to prevent you from coming into direct contact with a
victims body fluids
BVM (pg. 14) - ANSWER Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator: handheld device attached to a
resuscitation mask used to ventilate a victim in respiratory arrest when performing CPR.
BVM REQUIRES TWO RESCUERS.
Oxygen Cylinder and Delivery Device (pg. 14) - ANSWER Breathing device used to
administer emergency oxygen to a victim experiencing breathing or cardiac emergency
AED (pg. 14) - ANSWER Automated External Defibrillators: portable electronic device
that analyzes a victims heart rhythm and delivers electrical shock to re-establich proper
rhythm.
RWI (pg. 24) - ANSWER Recreational Water Illness: earaches, rashes, diarrhea that
can cause illness in aquatics facility
Formed Stool Emergency (pg. 24) - ANSWER 1. Continue Operation of Filtration
System
2. pH must be below 7.5
3. Free chlorine level to AT LEAST 2 ppm
4. Maintain those levels 25 minutes before re-opening pool
Diarrheal Discharge Emergency (pg. 24) - ANSWER 1. Continue operation of
circulation system
2. pH must be below 7.5
3. Free chlorine level to AT LEAST 20 ppm
4. Maintain those levels for 13 hours
5. Backwash filter and return chlorine levels to normal levels before opening pool
Lightening / Thunder in Area (pg. 25) - ANSWER 1. Clear Pool / Pool Area
,2. Listen / Follow National Weather Service Reports
3. Wait for 30 minutes after the last sight or sound of thunder before resuming activity
Common Rules (pg. 27) - ANSWER Swim only when lifeguard on duty, swim diapers
required, no swimming with open or infected wound, obey lifeguard instructions at all
times, no running, pushing or horseplay, no hyperventilating or underwater breath
holding, no sitting or playing near or with drains/suction fittings, dive only in designated
areas
Management and Safety (pg.30) - ANSWER As a lifeguard, your job is to follow and
enforce your facility's rules and regulations
Addressing Unsafe Conditions (pg. 31) - ANSWER Lifeguards experiencing any unsafe
conditions should report all issues to management
MSDS (pg. 31) - ANSWER Material Safety Data Sheet: list of every chemical stored at
facility listing the contents of the chemical
Bloodborne Pathogens (pg. 32) - ANSWER body fluids that may contain
disease-causing bacteria and viruses
Patron Surveillance (pg. 33) - ANSWER keeping a close watch over the people in the
facility and intervening when necessary
(pg. 34) The process of drowning begins when... - ANSWER water enters the victims
airway
Laryngospasm (pg. 34) - ANSWER a sudden closure of the larynx or windpipe (air
cannot reach the lungs when this occurs)
(pg. 34) Cardiac Arrest can occur within... - ANSWER 3 minutes of being submerged
(pg. 34) Brain Damage or Death can occur within... - ANSWER 4-6 minutes of being
submerged
Effective Surveillance (pg. 34) - ANSWER recognition of dangerous behaviors, victim
recognition, effective scanning, zone of surveillance responsibility, lifeguard stations
, Active Drowning Victim (pg. 37) - ANSWER a drowning victim who is struggling to
remain at the surface of the water (still conscious)
Passive Drowning Victim (pg. 38) - ANSWER a drowning victim who is not conscious.
They do not struggle and slip under the water suddenly.
RID Factor (pg. 44) - ANSWER 1. Recognition (fail to recognize victim)
2. Intrusion (secondary duties, like maintenance, intrudes on lifeguards primary duties)
3. Distraction (distracted from surveillance)
Zone of Responsibility (pg.44) - ANSWER a specific area that you are responsible for
when lifeguarding one station.
Zone Coverage (pg. 45) - ANSWER Pool is divided into separate zones. Each lifeguard
is responsible for their own zone. Typically zones overlap in certain spots to have double
coverage
Risk Management (pg. 53) - ANSWER involves identifying dangerous conditions or
behaviors that can cause injuries and then taking steps to minimize or eliminate those
conditions or behaviors.
Life Threatening Injuries (pg. 53) - ANSWER drowning, head/neck/back injuries,
breathing/cardiac situations, unconsciousness, major cuts
Non-life threatening injuries (pg. 53) - ANSWER slipping, tripping, falling, minor cuts,
sunburns, dislocations
Preventative Lifeguarding (pg. 53) - ANSWER trying to make sure emergencies do not
happen in the first place
PFD (pg. 63) - ANSWER Personal Floatation Device: swim vests (life-jacket, buoyant
vest, flotation vest) should ALWAYS be U.S. Coast Guard Approved
EMS - ANSWER Emergency Medical Services
Single-Guard Facilities (pg. 77) - ANSWER A facility with only one guard on duty at a
What will American Red Cross Lifeguarding class teach you? (pg. 2) - ANSWER Teach
you skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. Teach land and water
rescue skills plus first aid and CPR
Primary Responsibilities of Lifeguards (pg. 2) - ANSWER Monitor activities in and near
water, prevent injuries by minimalizing hazardous situations, enforce facility rules,
recognize and respond quickly, administering first aid and CPR, work as a team with
other facility employees
Secondary Responsibilities of Lifeguards (pg. 2-3) - ANSWER test pool water
chemistry, assisting patrons, cleaning/maintenance of pool area, completing records and
reports
(pg. 4) Professional Lifeguards SHOULD NOT - ANSWER Leave your posted station
or area while on duty, use mobile phones or other types of communication while on duty,
slouch in chair, participate in conversation with other patrons or lifeguard staff, eat on
stand, use alcohol or drugs (any that could negatively impact your alertness)
F.I.N.D (pg. 6) - ANSWER F=Figure out the problem
I= Identify possible solutions
N= Name the pros and cons for each solution.
D= Decide which solution is best, then act on it
EAP (pg. 6) - ANSWER Emergency Action Plan
Duty to Act (pg. 6) - ANSWER While on the job, you have legal responsibility to act in
an emergency
Negligence (pg. 6) - ANSWER When a person receiving emergency care has
additional harm because lifeguards failed to follow the standard of care
Consent (pg. 6) - ANSWER All people giving medical care MUST obtain consent
before helping an individual
Rescue Tube (pg. 13) - ANSWER 45-54 inch vinyl, foam-filled tube with an attached
tow line and shoulder strap capable of keeping victims afloat
Resuscitation Masks (pg. 13) - ANSWER Transparent, flexible device that creates a
tight seal over the victims mouth and nose to allow you to breathe air into a victim
without making mouth-to-mouth contact.
,Gloves (pg. 13) - ANSWER Disposable (single-use) gloves are used to protect
employees that may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids.
Backboards (pg. 13) - ANSWER Standard piece of equipment used at aquatics
facilities to remove victims from water when they are unable to exit the water on their
own. Backboards are also used during head, neck, or back injuries
PPE (pg. 14) - ANSWER Personal Protective Equipment: specialized clothing,
equipment, and supplies used to prevent you from coming into direct contact with a
victims body fluids
BVM (pg. 14) - ANSWER Bag-Valve-Mask Resuscitator: handheld device attached to a
resuscitation mask used to ventilate a victim in respiratory arrest when performing CPR.
BVM REQUIRES TWO RESCUERS.
Oxygen Cylinder and Delivery Device (pg. 14) - ANSWER Breathing device used to
administer emergency oxygen to a victim experiencing breathing or cardiac emergency
AED (pg. 14) - ANSWER Automated External Defibrillators: portable electronic device
that analyzes a victims heart rhythm and delivers electrical shock to re-establich proper
rhythm.
RWI (pg. 24) - ANSWER Recreational Water Illness: earaches, rashes, diarrhea that
can cause illness in aquatics facility
Formed Stool Emergency (pg. 24) - ANSWER 1. Continue Operation of Filtration
System
2. pH must be below 7.5
3. Free chlorine level to AT LEAST 2 ppm
4. Maintain those levels 25 minutes before re-opening pool
Diarrheal Discharge Emergency (pg. 24) - ANSWER 1. Continue operation of
circulation system
2. pH must be below 7.5
3. Free chlorine level to AT LEAST 20 ppm
4. Maintain those levels for 13 hours
5. Backwash filter and return chlorine levels to normal levels before opening pool
Lightening / Thunder in Area (pg. 25) - ANSWER 1. Clear Pool / Pool Area
,2. Listen / Follow National Weather Service Reports
3. Wait for 30 minutes after the last sight or sound of thunder before resuming activity
Common Rules (pg. 27) - ANSWER Swim only when lifeguard on duty, swim diapers
required, no swimming with open or infected wound, obey lifeguard instructions at all
times, no running, pushing or horseplay, no hyperventilating or underwater breath
holding, no sitting or playing near or with drains/suction fittings, dive only in designated
areas
Management and Safety (pg.30) - ANSWER As a lifeguard, your job is to follow and
enforce your facility's rules and regulations
Addressing Unsafe Conditions (pg. 31) - ANSWER Lifeguards experiencing any unsafe
conditions should report all issues to management
MSDS (pg. 31) - ANSWER Material Safety Data Sheet: list of every chemical stored at
facility listing the contents of the chemical
Bloodborne Pathogens (pg. 32) - ANSWER body fluids that may contain
disease-causing bacteria and viruses
Patron Surveillance (pg. 33) - ANSWER keeping a close watch over the people in the
facility and intervening when necessary
(pg. 34) The process of drowning begins when... - ANSWER water enters the victims
airway
Laryngospasm (pg. 34) - ANSWER a sudden closure of the larynx or windpipe (air
cannot reach the lungs when this occurs)
(pg. 34) Cardiac Arrest can occur within... - ANSWER 3 minutes of being submerged
(pg. 34) Brain Damage or Death can occur within... - ANSWER 4-6 minutes of being
submerged
Effective Surveillance (pg. 34) - ANSWER recognition of dangerous behaviors, victim
recognition, effective scanning, zone of surveillance responsibility, lifeguard stations
, Active Drowning Victim (pg. 37) - ANSWER a drowning victim who is struggling to
remain at the surface of the water (still conscious)
Passive Drowning Victim (pg. 38) - ANSWER a drowning victim who is not conscious.
They do not struggle and slip under the water suddenly.
RID Factor (pg. 44) - ANSWER 1. Recognition (fail to recognize victim)
2. Intrusion (secondary duties, like maintenance, intrudes on lifeguards primary duties)
3. Distraction (distracted from surveillance)
Zone of Responsibility (pg.44) - ANSWER a specific area that you are responsible for
when lifeguarding one station.
Zone Coverage (pg. 45) - ANSWER Pool is divided into separate zones. Each lifeguard
is responsible for their own zone. Typically zones overlap in certain spots to have double
coverage
Risk Management (pg. 53) - ANSWER involves identifying dangerous conditions or
behaviors that can cause injuries and then taking steps to minimize or eliminate those
conditions or behaviors.
Life Threatening Injuries (pg. 53) - ANSWER drowning, head/neck/back injuries,
breathing/cardiac situations, unconsciousness, major cuts
Non-life threatening injuries (pg. 53) - ANSWER slipping, tripping, falling, minor cuts,
sunburns, dislocations
Preventative Lifeguarding (pg. 53) - ANSWER trying to make sure emergencies do not
happen in the first place
PFD (pg. 63) - ANSWER Personal Floatation Device: swim vests (life-jacket, buoyant
vest, flotation vest) should ALWAYS be U.S. Coast Guard Approved
EMS - ANSWER Emergency Medical Services
Single-Guard Facilities (pg. 77) - ANSWER A facility with only one guard on duty at a
