YMCA Lifeguarding Test with Verified Answers Graded A+
1. What does the It represents the 4 steps in the decision-making process.
acronym PACA The problem of the situation, the alternatives, the con-
mean, and stand sequences of the alternatives, and the final action or
for? decision
2. What is the Q-1-2 First asking a question, then a warning, then taking a
system? break. (ask to leave the pool)
3. What does the Helps become consistent and fair, reduces stress and
Q-1-2 system do emotion of enforcing the rules, allows to be focused on
for a lifeguard? your designated area.
4. When enforcing Be firm, fair, and tactful
the rules, what
should you keep in
mind?
5. What are the safe- Roll call, buddy system, safety swim/band test, swim
ty check systems? breaks, tag board, and multilevel safety approach
6. How many drown- Roughly 3,600
ings a year are
there?
7. What is the ra- 1:4
tio for drowning
children 14 and
younger?
8. How long does it It takes 20-60 seconds
take for a person
to slip under the
surface?
9. How long does it 60 seconds
take an adult to
struggle to stay
above water?
10. 20 seconds
1/8
, When can a child
perhaps fall below
the surface of the
water?
11. What is drowning? It is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment
from submersion/immersion in liquid
12. What is a dis- Someone who is struggling to stay above the water
tressed swimmer?
13. Early warning A weak stroke, hair in the eyes, glassy eyes, two heads
signs of drowning together, hand waving, moving toward a pier, erratic be-
havior, clinging to objects, neutral to negative buoyancy,
inability to respond verbally
14. Characteristics of An inability to call for help & a panicked facial expression,
drowning victims head back and body low into the water, arms extended
out from the sides and moving up and down ineffectively
in an attempt to keep the face above the water, little to no
support from the kick, an upright (verticle) position facing
the nearest source of assistance
15. Stages of drown- Initial Apnea, Dyspnea, Terminal Apnea, Cardiac Arrest
ing
16. Initial Apnea The temporary loss of breathing, or holding of the breath.
Glottis is closed by reflex. Water in mouth and throat cuts
off the air to the lungs: Oxygen to the brain decreases.
17. How long is Initial 0-3 minutes, excellent chance for normal survival
Apnea?
18. Dsypnea Difficult breathing, glottis being to partially relax. Body
and head lower into the water; more water is swallowed.
Water starts to fill the lungs, coughing and vomiting might
occur. Victims become weaker from struggling and sinks
lower into the water
19. 60-90 seconds
2/8
1. What does the It represents the 4 steps in the decision-making process.
acronym PACA The problem of the situation, the alternatives, the con-
mean, and stand sequences of the alternatives, and the final action or
for? decision
2. What is the Q-1-2 First asking a question, then a warning, then taking a
system? break. (ask to leave the pool)
3. What does the Helps become consistent and fair, reduces stress and
Q-1-2 system do emotion of enforcing the rules, allows to be focused on
for a lifeguard? your designated area.
4. When enforcing Be firm, fair, and tactful
the rules, what
should you keep in
mind?
5. What are the safe- Roll call, buddy system, safety swim/band test, swim
ty check systems? breaks, tag board, and multilevel safety approach
6. How many drown- Roughly 3,600
ings a year are
there?
7. What is the ra- 1:4
tio for drowning
children 14 and
younger?
8. How long does it It takes 20-60 seconds
take for a person
to slip under the
surface?
9. How long does it 60 seconds
take an adult to
struggle to stay
above water?
10. 20 seconds
1/8
, When can a child
perhaps fall below
the surface of the
water?
11. What is drowning? It is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment
from submersion/immersion in liquid
12. What is a dis- Someone who is struggling to stay above the water
tressed swimmer?
13. Early warning A weak stroke, hair in the eyes, glassy eyes, two heads
signs of drowning together, hand waving, moving toward a pier, erratic be-
havior, clinging to objects, neutral to negative buoyancy,
inability to respond verbally
14. Characteristics of An inability to call for help & a panicked facial expression,
drowning victims head back and body low into the water, arms extended
out from the sides and moving up and down ineffectively
in an attempt to keep the face above the water, little to no
support from the kick, an upright (verticle) position facing
the nearest source of assistance
15. Stages of drown- Initial Apnea, Dyspnea, Terminal Apnea, Cardiac Arrest
ing
16. Initial Apnea The temporary loss of breathing, or holding of the breath.
Glottis is closed by reflex. Water in mouth and throat cuts
off the air to the lungs: Oxygen to the brain decreases.
17. How long is Initial 0-3 minutes, excellent chance for normal survival
Apnea?
18. Dsypnea Difficult breathing, glottis being to partially relax. Body
and head lower into the water; more water is swallowed.
Water starts to fill the lungs, coughing and vomiting might
occur. Victims become weaker from struggling and sinks
lower into the water
19. 60-90 seconds
2/8
