Red Cross Lifeguard Exam with verified
questions and answers latest updated
list five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with patron
surveillance correct answers 1. completing records and reports
2. pool maintenance
3. giving swim tests
4. giving swim lessons
5. testing pool water/chlorine levels
list five characteristics of a professional lifeguard correct answers 1. reliable
2. mature
3. courteous
4. positive
5. knowledgeable
what is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard correct answers to prevent drowning and other
injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility correct answers 1.
monitoring activities in and out of the water
2. eliminating hazardous situations/behaviors
3. recognizing and responding to all emergencies
lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty correct answers C
a lifeguard is texting while on duty and fails to recognize a swimmer in distress. What legal
principle could be a problem for this lifeguard? correct answers negligence
list the five steps that a lifeguard should take when obtaining consent from an injured or ill
person before providing first aid or emergency care: correct answers 1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can help
4. explain that you'd like to help them
5. explain what you plan to do
,why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety and rescue equipment and EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the facility
d. all of the above correct answers D
what does EAP stand for? correct answers Emergency Action Plan
why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and practice the EAP?
correct answers because everyone needs to know their responsibility and how to perform it
effectively
what is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at well-managed
aquatic facilities? correct answers at least 4 hours of in-service training each month
what does FIND stand for? correct answers F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
what items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard? correct answers -
gloves
- gowns
- protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
what equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all times while on duty? List 2 and
include reasons why. correct answers 1) rescue tube - can keep multiple victims afloat
2) hip-pack with gloves and resuscitation mask - needs to be instantly available incase of an
emergency
what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard? list at least 2 and
describe how/when each item is used. correct answers 1) backboard - removes victim from water
when they can't do it themselves
2) AED - helps heart reestablish an affective rhythm
As a lifeguard you are responsible for: correct answers consistently enforcing your facility's rules
and regulations
list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility. correct answers 1. swim only when
lifeguard is on duty
2. no swimming with open or infected wounds
3. no running, pushing, or rough play
4. obey lifeguard instruction
5. dive only in designated areas
, explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue-ready" correct answers equipped and rescue-
ready means that you are wearing or carrying the appropriate rescue equipment and ready to
enter water for rescue
active victim front rescue correct answers 1. approach the victim from the front
2. grab rescue tube from under your arms and push the tube in front of you
3. thrust rescue tube slightly under water and into the victim's chest
4. keep kicking with your arms fully extended
in general there are three types of swimmer in distress or drowning victims. list each type with
three observable characteristics for each. correct answers Distress swimmer:
- head above water
- floating or treading water
- trying to support self by holding or clinging to a lane line or safety line
Drowning victim - active:
- tilted head back with face looking up
- struggling to keep or get the head above the surface of the water
- no forward progress
Drowning victim - passive:
- Face up or facedown in the water or submerged
- not breathing
[Limp floating at the surface or sinking/submerged at the bottom
roving stations correct answers good to use with a crowded zone
elevated stations correct answers ideal for a single-guard facility
ground-level stations correct answers puts you close to the patrons to easily make assists
floating stations correct answers used in waterfront facilities to patrol the outer edge of a
swimming area
a lifeguard on duty should be able to recognize and reach a drowning victim within... correct
answers 30 seconds
the size of a zone should allow for a lifeguard to recognize an emergency, reach the victim,
extricate and provide ventilations within _______. Explain why. correct answers 1.5 - 2 minutes
to ensure you can get there quickly enough to save them
what is the difference between total and zone coverage correct answers total coverage: you are
the only lifeguard conducting surveillance
zone coverage: the swimming area is divided into separate zones with one zone for each
lifeguard station
questions and answers latest updated
list five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with patron
surveillance correct answers 1. completing records and reports
2. pool maintenance
3. giving swim tests
4. giving swim lessons
5. testing pool water/chlorine levels
list five characteristics of a professional lifeguard correct answers 1. reliable
2. mature
3. courteous
4. positive
5. knowledgeable
what is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard correct answers to prevent drowning and other
injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility correct answers 1.
monitoring activities in and out of the water
2. eliminating hazardous situations/behaviors
3. recognizing and responding to all emergencies
lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty correct answers C
a lifeguard is texting while on duty and fails to recognize a swimmer in distress. What legal
principle could be a problem for this lifeguard? correct answers negligence
list the five steps that a lifeguard should take when obtaining consent from an injured or ill
person before providing first aid or emergency care: correct answers 1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can help
4. explain that you'd like to help them
5. explain what you plan to do
,why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety and rescue equipment and EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the facility
d. all of the above correct answers D
what does EAP stand for? correct answers Emergency Action Plan
why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and practice the EAP?
correct answers because everyone needs to know their responsibility and how to perform it
effectively
what is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at well-managed
aquatic facilities? correct answers at least 4 hours of in-service training each month
what does FIND stand for? correct answers F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
what items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard? correct answers -
gloves
- gowns
- protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
what equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all times while on duty? List 2 and
include reasons why. correct answers 1) rescue tube - can keep multiple victims afloat
2) hip-pack with gloves and resuscitation mask - needs to be instantly available incase of an
emergency
what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard? list at least 2 and
describe how/when each item is used. correct answers 1) backboard - removes victim from water
when they can't do it themselves
2) AED - helps heart reestablish an affective rhythm
As a lifeguard you are responsible for: correct answers consistently enforcing your facility's rules
and regulations
list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility. correct answers 1. swim only when
lifeguard is on duty
2. no swimming with open or infected wounds
3. no running, pushing, or rough play
4. obey lifeguard instruction
5. dive only in designated areas
, explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue-ready" correct answers equipped and rescue-
ready means that you are wearing or carrying the appropriate rescue equipment and ready to
enter water for rescue
active victim front rescue correct answers 1. approach the victim from the front
2. grab rescue tube from under your arms and push the tube in front of you
3. thrust rescue tube slightly under water and into the victim's chest
4. keep kicking with your arms fully extended
in general there are three types of swimmer in distress or drowning victims. list each type with
three observable characteristics for each. correct answers Distress swimmer:
- head above water
- floating or treading water
- trying to support self by holding or clinging to a lane line or safety line
Drowning victim - active:
- tilted head back with face looking up
- struggling to keep or get the head above the surface of the water
- no forward progress
Drowning victim - passive:
- Face up or facedown in the water or submerged
- not breathing
[Limp floating at the surface or sinking/submerged at the bottom
roving stations correct answers good to use with a crowded zone
elevated stations correct answers ideal for a single-guard facility
ground-level stations correct answers puts you close to the patrons to easily make assists
floating stations correct answers used in waterfront facilities to patrol the outer edge of a
swimming area
a lifeguard on duty should be able to recognize and reach a drowning victim within... correct
answers 30 seconds
the size of a zone should allow for a lifeguard to recognize an emergency, reach the victim,
extricate and provide ventilations within _______. Explain why. correct answers 1.5 - 2 minutes
to ensure you can get there quickly enough to save them
what is the difference between total and zone coverage correct answers total coverage: you are
the only lifeguard conducting surveillance
zone coverage: the swimming area is divided into separate zones with one zone for each
lifeguard station
