YMCA LIFEGUARDING TEST QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
What does the acronym PACA mean, and stand for? - Answers :It represents the 4
steps in the decision-making process. The problem of the situation, the alternatives, the
consequences of the alternatives, and the final action or decision
What is the Q-1-2 system? - Answers :First asking a question, then a warning, then
taking a break. (ask to leave the pool)
What does the Q-1-2 system do for a lifeguard? - Answers :Helps become consistent
and fair, reduces stress and emotion of enforcing the rules, allows to be focused on
your designated area.
When enforcing the rules, what should you keep in mind? - Answers :Be firm, fair, and
tactful
What are the safety check systems? - Answers :Roll call, buddy system, safety
swim/band test, swim breaks, tag board, and multilevel safety approach
How many drownings a year are there? - Answers :Roughly 3,600
What is the ratio for drowning children 14 and younger? - Answers :1:4
How long does it take for a person to slip under the surface? - Answers :It takes 20-60
seconds
How long does it take an adult to struggle to stay above water? - Answers :60 seconds
When can a child perhaps fall below the surface of the water? - Answers :20 seconds
What is drowning? - Answers :It is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment
from submersion/immersion in liquid
What is a distressed swimmer? - Answers :Someone who is struggling to stay above
the water
Early warning signs of drowning - Answers :A weak stroke, hair in the eyes, glassy
eyes, two heads together, hand waving, moving toward a pier, erratic behavior, clinging
to objects, neutral to negative buoyancy, inability to respond verbally
Characteristics of drowning victims - Answers :An inability to call for help & a panicked
facial expression, 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
, Stages of drowning - Answers :Initial Apnea, Dyspnea, Terminal Apnea, Cardiac Arrest
Initial Apnea - Answers :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.
How long is Initial Apnea? - Answers :0-3 minutes, excellent chance for normal survival
Dsypnea - Answers :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
How long is Dsypnea? - Answers :60-90 seconds
Terminal Apnea - Answers :Victim is unconscious and stops breathing. Water is
persistent in the lungs, lack of oxygen to the brain may cause convulsions. Possible
evacuation of the bladder and/or bowels.
How long is Terminal Apnea? - Answers :90 seconds- 3 minutes. Survival is likely but
the longer the time period, the more probable it is that permanent neurological damage
occurs.
Cardiac Arrest - Answers :Heart ceases to function and pump blood. Eyes dilate and
skin turns blue. Without CPR, lack of oxygen will cause irreversible brain damage
How long is cardiac arrest? - Answers :after 5 minutes, normal recovery is unlikely
unless water temperature is below 70 degrees
Different Types of Emergencies - Answers :Medical, water, missing persons,
environmental (weather), chemical, mechanical, facility, extreme violence
What are the types of Water Exits? - Answers :Supporting assist, One-person drag,
Two-person carry, One-or two person lift, ladder exit
What is the acronym DOTS used for and what does it mean - Answers :What to look for,
deformities, open injuries, tenderness, and swelling
What does the acronym SAMPLE do? - Answers :Used to ask about, signs &
symptoms, allergies, medications, past medical issues, last oral intake, events leading
to the problem
What is the checklist for Crisis Management? - Answers :Be prepared, maintain order,
notify the chain of command, protect your facility, return t your post, learn from
experiences, and seek help when coping with trama
What does the acronym PACA mean, and stand for? - Answers :It represents the 4
steps in the decision-making process. The problem of the situation, the alternatives, the
consequences of the alternatives, and the final action or decision
What is the Q-1-2 system? - Answers :First asking a question, then a warning, then
taking a break. (ask to leave the pool)
What does the Q-1-2 system do for a lifeguard? - Answers :Helps become consistent
and fair, reduces stress and emotion of enforcing the rules, allows to be focused on
your designated area.
When enforcing the rules, what should you keep in mind? - Answers :Be firm, fair, and
tactful
What are the safety check systems? - Answers :Roll call, buddy system, safety
swim/band test, swim breaks, tag board, and multilevel safety approach
How many drownings a year are there? - Answers :Roughly 3,600
What is the ratio for drowning children 14 and younger? - Answers :1:4
How long does it take for a person to slip under the surface? - Answers :It takes 20-60
seconds
How long does it take an adult to struggle to stay above water? - Answers :60 seconds
When can a child perhaps fall below the surface of the water? - Answers :20 seconds
What is drowning? - Answers :It is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment
from submersion/immersion in liquid
What is a distressed swimmer? - Answers :Someone who is struggling to stay above
the water
Early warning signs of drowning - Answers :A weak stroke, hair in the eyes, glassy
eyes, two heads together, hand waving, moving toward a pier, erratic behavior, clinging
to objects, neutral to negative buoyancy, inability to respond verbally
Characteristics of drowning victims - Answers :An inability to call for help & a panicked
facial expression, 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
, Stages of drowning - Answers :Initial Apnea, Dyspnea, Terminal Apnea, Cardiac Arrest
Initial Apnea - Answers :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.
How long is Initial Apnea? - Answers :0-3 minutes, excellent chance for normal survival
Dsypnea - Answers :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
How long is Dsypnea? - Answers :60-90 seconds
Terminal Apnea - Answers :Victim is unconscious and stops breathing. Water is
persistent in the lungs, lack of oxygen to the brain may cause convulsions. Possible
evacuation of the bladder and/or bowels.
How long is Terminal Apnea? - Answers :90 seconds- 3 minutes. Survival is likely but
the longer the time period, the more probable it is that permanent neurological damage
occurs.
Cardiac Arrest - Answers :Heart ceases to function and pump blood. Eyes dilate and
skin turns blue. Without CPR, lack of oxygen will cause irreversible brain damage
How long is cardiac arrest? - Answers :after 5 minutes, normal recovery is unlikely
unless water temperature is below 70 degrees
Different Types of Emergencies - Answers :Medical, water, missing persons,
environmental (weather), chemical, mechanical, facility, extreme violence
What are the types of Water Exits? - Answers :Supporting assist, One-person drag,
Two-person carry, One-or two person lift, ladder exit
What is the acronym DOTS used for and what does it mean - Answers :What to look for,
deformities, open injuries, tenderness, and swelling
What does the acronym SAMPLE do? - Answers :Used to ask about, signs &
symptoms, allergies, medications, past medical issues, last oral intake, events leading
to the problem
What is the checklist for Crisis Management? - Answers :Be prepared, maintain order,
notify the chain of command, protect your facility, return t your post, learn from
experiences, and seek help when coping with trama
