Red Cross Lifeguard Test 2025 /2026
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? - ANS negligence
a lifeguard on duty should be able to recognize and reach a drowning victim within...
- ANS 30 seconds
a victim in the water is not breathing. what should you do? - ANS remove
victim from water as soon as possible / if doing so will delay care, provide in-water
ventilations
active victim front rescue - ANS 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
active victim rear rescue - ANS 1. approach from behind
2. reach under the victim's armpits and grasp shoulders firmly. tell victim you are
there to help and reassure them.
3. squeeze rescue tube between your chest and the victim's back
4. lean back and pull victim onto the tube
after an emergency has been resolved, there are still three important tasks to
complete. explain them. - ANS *Report:* the person who made the rescue
must complete the form recording only factual information of what was seen, heard,
or done
*Advise:* safety instructions to prevent similar incident from recurring, recommend
that they go to the doctor
*Release:* victim may be released after emergency care is provided or release care
to EMS personnel
All of the following describe appropriate care for a conscious person with an airway
obstruction except:
A. Check the victim for breathing and a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
B. Perform a combination of five back blows performed by five abdominal thrusts
C. Obtain consent; if the victim is a child get consent from a parent or guardian
D. If the victim cannot cough speak or breathe activate the EAP and have someone
summon EMS - ANS A
,As a lifeguard you are responsible for: - ANS consistently enforcing your
facility's rules and regulations
backboards are a standard piece of rescue equipment used at aquatic facilities for
immobilizing and removing the victim from the water. Backboards work best when
they are equipped with: - ANS - a chest strap to secure the victim onto the
board
- a head immobilizer device that can be attached to the top, or head-end , of the
board
compact jump - ANS Use to enter water from the deck or when you are more
than 3 feet above the water such as on a lifeguard stand) and water must be at least
5 feet deep.
compression depth for child - ANS about 2 inches
compression depth for infant - ANS 1.5 inches
compressions given at the correct rate are at least ___ per minute to a maximum of
___ per minute - ANS 100, 120
CPR cycles for one rescuer - ANS 30:2 (30 chest compressions to 2
ventilations)
CPR cycles for two rescuers - ANS adult: 30:2
child and infant: 15:2
describe four ways that additional lifeguards can help during spinal back boarding
and extrication from the water - ANS - helping to submerge, position and
stabilize the backboard from the deck
- supporting the in-water rescuer in deep water
- communicating and reassuring the victim
- removing the backboard from the water
describe six actions you should take or determinations that you should make while
performing a scene size-up - ANS 1. check for hazards that could present a
danger to you or the victim
2. use appropriate PPE
3. determine number of injured or ill victims
4. determine nature of illness or what caused injury
5. form an initial impression like whether or not it's life-threatening
6. determine what additional resources may be needed
, describe the five links in the Cardiac chain of survival for adults - ANS
-recognize emergency and call 911
-early CPR
-early defibrillation
-advanced life support
-integrated post-cardiac arrest care
describe the swim test steps: - ANS 1. enter the water and completely
submerge
2. return to the surface and remain there for at least 1 minute
3. rotate 360 degree and orient towards the exit
4. swim on front or back for at least 25 yards
5. exit water
describe the two types of respiratory emergencies:
1. respiratory distress
2. respiratory arrest - ANS distress - breathing becomes difficult
arrest - breathing stops
describe three places emergencies could occur besides the pool and the pool deck -
ANS - locker room
- parking lot
- playground
during primary assessment, you find the victim is not breathing and has no pulse.
would you give two ventilations before starting CPR? - ANS normally start
CPR with chest compressions unless it is a drowning situation which then you should
start by giving two ventilations
elevated stations - ANS ideal for a single-guard facility
examples of work practice controls (methods of working that reduce likely hood of an
exposure)
a. disposing of sharp items in a puncture resistant, leak-proof, labeled container
b. removal and proper disposal of soiled protective clothing as soon as possible
c. cleaning/disinfecting all equipment and work surfaces possibly soiled by blood or
other potentially infectious material
d. all of the above - ANS d
explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue-ready" - ANS equipped and
rescue-ready means that you are wearing or carrying the appropriate rescue
equipment and ready to enter water for rescue
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? - ANS negligence
a lifeguard on duty should be able to recognize and reach a drowning victim within...
- ANS 30 seconds
a victim in the water is not breathing. what should you do? - ANS remove
victim from water as soon as possible / if doing so will delay care, provide in-water
ventilations
active victim front rescue - ANS 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
active victim rear rescue - ANS 1. approach from behind
2. reach under the victim's armpits and grasp shoulders firmly. tell victim you are
there to help and reassure them.
3. squeeze rescue tube between your chest and the victim's back
4. lean back and pull victim onto the tube
after an emergency has been resolved, there are still three important tasks to
complete. explain them. - ANS *Report:* the person who made the rescue
must complete the form recording only factual information of what was seen, heard,
or done
*Advise:* safety instructions to prevent similar incident from recurring, recommend
that they go to the doctor
*Release:* victim may be released after emergency care is provided or release care
to EMS personnel
All of the following describe appropriate care for a conscious person with an airway
obstruction except:
A. Check the victim for breathing and a pulse for no more than 10 seconds
B. Perform a combination of five back blows performed by five abdominal thrusts
C. Obtain consent; if the victim is a child get consent from a parent or guardian
D. If the victim cannot cough speak or breathe activate the EAP and have someone
summon EMS - ANS A
,As a lifeguard you are responsible for: - ANS consistently enforcing your
facility's rules and regulations
backboards are a standard piece of rescue equipment used at aquatic facilities for
immobilizing and removing the victim from the water. Backboards work best when
they are equipped with: - ANS - a chest strap to secure the victim onto the
board
- a head immobilizer device that can be attached to the top, or head-end , of the
board
compact jump - ANS Use to enter water from the deck or when you are more
than 3 feet above the water such as on a lifeguard stand) and water must be at least
5 feet deep.
compression depth for child - ANS about 2 inches
compression depth for infant - ANS 1.5 inches
compressions given at the correct rate are at least ___ per minute to a maximum of
___ per minute - ANS 100, 120
CPR cycles for one rescuer - ANS 30:2 (30 chest compressions to 2
ventilations)
CPR cycles for two rescuers - ANS adult: 30:2
child and infant: 15:2
describe four ways that additional lifeguards can help during spinal back boarding
and extrication from the water - ANS - helping to submerge, position and
stabilize the backboard from the deck
- supporting the in-water rescuer in deep water
- communicating and reassuring the victim
- removing the backboard from the water
describe six actions you should take or determinations that you should make while
performing a scene size-up - ANS 1. check for hazards that could present a
danger to you or the victim
2. use appropriate PPE
3. determine number of injured or ill victims
4. determine nature of illness or what caused injury
5. form an initial impression like whether or not it's life-threatening
6. determine what additional resources may be needed
, describe the five links in the Cardiac chain of survival for adults - ANS
-recognize emergency and call 911
-early CPR
-early defibrillation
-advanced life support
-integrated post-cardiac arrest care
describe the swim test steps: - ANS 1. enter the water and completely
submerge
2. return to the surface and remain there for at least 1 minute
3. rotate 360 degree and orient towards the exit
4. swim on front or back for at least 25 yards
5. exit water
describe the two types of respiratory emergencies:
1. respiratory distress
2. respiratory arrest - ANS distress - breathing becomes difficult
arrest - breathing stops
describe three places emergencies could occur besides the pool and the pool deck -
ANS - locker room
- parking lot
- playground
during primary assessment, you find the victim is not breathing and has no pulse.
would you give two ventilations before starting CPR? - ANS normally start
CPR with chest compressions unless it is a drowning situation which then you should
start by giving two ventilations
elevated stations - ANS ideal for a single-guard facility
examples of work practice controls (methods of working that reduce likely hood of an
exposure)
a. disposing of sharp items in a puncture resistant, leak-proof, labeled container
b. removal and proper disposal of soiled protective clothing as soon as possible
c. cleaning/disinfecting all equipment and work surfaces possibly soiled by blood or
other potentially infectious material
d. all of the above - ANS d
explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue-ready" - ANS equipped and
rescue-ready means that you are wearing or carrying the appropriate rescue
equipment and ready to enter water for rescue
