American Red Cross Lifeguarding Exam Questions With
Correct Answers
Backboards (pg. 13)
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
AED (pg. 14)
Automated External Defibrillators: portable electronic device that analyzes a victims heart rhythm and
delivers electrical shock to re-establich proper rhythm.
Active Drowning Victim (pg. 37)
a drowning victim who is struggling to remain at the surface of the water (still conscious)
Passive Drowning Victim (pg. 38)
a drowning victim who is not conscious. They do not struggle and slip under the water suddenly.
RID Factor (pg. 44)
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)
a specific area that you are responsible for when lifeguarding one station.
Zone Coverage (pg. 45)
Pool is divided into separate zones. Each lifeguard is responsible for their own zone. Typically zones
overlap in certain spots to have double coverage
Life Threatening Injuries (pg. 53)
drowning, head/neck/back injuries, breathing/cardiac situations, unconsciousness, major cuts
Non-life threatening injuries (pg. 53)
slipping, tripping, falling, minor cuts, sunburns, dislocations
EMS
Emergency Medical Services
(pg. 248) For a victim with head, neck, or spinal injury...
avoid / minimize the movement of the head, neck, or spine.
(pg. 248) If you suspect head, neck, or back injury, enter the water using the...
Slide-in Entry
, In Line Stabilization Technique (pg. 248)
Order of Operations: Potential Spinal Injury (pg. 248)
1. Activate EAP
2. Enter Water (slide in method)
3. Check for consciousness:
a. If breathing, proceed with spinal back boarding
b. If NOT breathing, immediately remove from water using two person pull out with backboard.
Manual in-line stabilization: HEAD SPLINT TECHNIQUE (pg. 249)
Get the victim to a face up position, minimize head and neck movement
Spinal Injury: Victim Face-Up (pg. 249)
approach from behind victims head
Spinal Injury: Victim Face-Down (pg. 249)
approach from victims side
Alternate Method: Head and Chin Support (pg. 252)
One hand on lower jaw, other on the back bone (apply pressure to support)
Head Splint Technique (facing up) pg. 259
Head Splint Technique (facing down) pg. 260
Head Splint Technique (submerged victim)
Head Splint Technique (very shallow water)
Removing Backboard from Water
Backboarding Standing Victim on Land
Stabilize Head, Secure body to board, stabilize head in device
Sizing Up a Scene
Determine if the scene is safe for you; check for hazards that could endanger you or victim, determine
cause of injury, determine number of victims, put on appropriate PPE barriers
Diabetic Emergencies (pg. 218)
1. If conscious and can safely swallow fluids, give the victim sugar in form of juice drink
(pg. 219) Seizures last...
1-3 minutes
Correct Answers
Backboards (pg. 13)
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
AED (pg. 14)
Automated External Defibrillators: portable electronic device that analyzes a victims heart rhythm and
delivers electrical shock to re-establich proper rhythm.
Active Drowning Victim (pg. 37)
a drowning victim who is struggling to remain at the surface of the water (still conscious)
Passive Drowning Victim (pg. 38)
a drowning victim who is not conscious. They do not struggle and slip under the water suddenly.
RID Factor (pg. 44)
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)
a specific area that you are responsible for when lifeguarding one station.
Zone Coverage (pg. 45)
Pool is divided into separate zones. Each lifeguard is responsible for their own zone. Typically zones
overlap in certain spots to have double coverage
Life Threatening Injuries (pg. 53)
drowning, head/neck/back injuries, breathing/cardiac situations, unconsciousness, major cuts
Non-life threatening injuries (pg. 53)
slipping, tripping, falling, minor cuts, sunburns, dislocations
EMS
Emergency Medical Services
(pg. 248) For a victim with head, neck, or spinal injury...
avoid / minimize the movement of the head, neck, or spine.
(pg. 248) If you suspect head, neck, or back injury, enter the water using the...
Slide-in Entry
, In Line Stabilization Technique (pg. 248)
Order of Operations: Potential Spinal Injury (pg. 248)
1. Activate EAP
2. Enter Water (slide in method)
3. Check for consciousness:
a. If breathing, proceed with spinal back boarding
b. If NOT breathing, immediately remove from water using two person pull out with backboard.
Manual in-line stabilization: HEAD SPLINT TECHNIQUE (pg. 249)
Get the victim to a face up position, minimize head and neck movement
Spinal Injury: Victim Face-Up (pg. 249)
approach from behind victims head
Spinal Injury: Victim Face-Down (pg. 249)
approach from victims side
Alternate Method: Head and Chin Support (pg. 252)
One hand on lower jaw, other on the back bone (apply pressure to support)
Head Splint Technique (facing up) pg. 259
Head Splint Technique (facing down) pg. 260
Head Splint Technique (submerged victim)
Head Splint Technique (very shallow water)
Removing Backboard from Water
Backboarding Standing Victim on Land
Stabilize Head, Secure body to board, stabilize head in device
Sizing Up a Scene
Determine if the scene is safe for you; check for hazards that could endanger you or victim, determine
cause of injury, determine number of victims, put on appropriate PPE barriers
Diabetic Emergencies (pg. 218)
1. If conscious and can safely swallow fluids, give the victim sugar in form of juice drink
(pg. 219) Seizures last...
1-3 minutes
