Red Cross Lifeguarding 2025/2026
1. What does the primary responsibility of a lifeguard include?
a. Conduct surveillance.
b. Administer swim tests.
c. Assist patrons with questions.
d. Ensure that resuscitation equipment is working.
a. Conduct surveillance.
2. In which scenario is a lifeguard demonstrating characteristics of professional
appearance while conducting surveillance?
a. Using a mobile phone
b. Socializing with patrons
c. Assuming a relaxed posture
d. Wearing the lifeguard uniform properly
d. Wearing the lifeguard uniform properly
3. What immediate action should a lifeguard take when they hear thunder in the
distance?
a. Clear patrons from the water.
b. Count the seconds between claps of thunder.
c. Monitor weather reports to watch for storms.
d. Allow patrons to remain in the water until lightning is sighted
a. Clear patrons from the water.
4. A lifeguard is conducting surveillance from a ground-level station. The water depth
in their zone is 4 feet. A person at the far end of their zone starts to display active
drowning behaviors. The water in front of their zone is crowded with patrons.
Which entry should the lifeguard use in this situation?
a. Stride jump
b. Slide-in entry
c. Compact jump
d. Run-and-swim entry
b. Slide-in entry
5. A patron in the water is vertical, struggling to keep their face above the water, has
their arms extended to their sides, is pressing down for support and is not making
any forward progress in the water.
Which situation do these behaviors describe?
a. Distressed swimmer
b. Active drowning person
c.Passive drowning person
, d. Person with potential spinal injury
b. Active drowning person
6. Which behavior does a passive drowning person exhibit?
a. May be clinging to a line for support
b. Struggles at the surface of the water
c. Has defined arm and leg movements leading to purposeful movement
d. Appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking or on the bottom
d. Appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking or on the bottom
7. How often should a lifeguard complete a scan of their entire zone?
a. Every 15 seconds
b. Every 30 seconds
c. Every 45 seconds
d. Every 90 seconds
b. Every 30 seconds
8. Which action indicates that a lifeguard is using an effective scanning technique?
a. Sits still to prevent too much distracting body movement
b. Mentally rehearses how to perform a rescue to help stay alert and prepared
c. Moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
d. Focuses most of their attention on high-risk patrons, occasionally glancing at other
patrons
c. Moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
9. Sun glare on the water surface is making it difficult for a lifeguard to see patrons
on one side of their surveillance area. The lifeguard stands up and attempts to look
around and through the glare spot without success.
Which action should the lifeguard take in this situation?
a. Signal for assistance.
b. Keep trying to adjust their position.
c. Wait for the sun position to change.
d. Move patrons to an area not affected by glare.
a. Signal for assistance.
10. A lifeguard station response time testing should be completed within how many
minutes?
a. 1 ½ to 2
b. 4 ½2 to 5
c. 6 to 8
d. 9 to 10
a. 1 ½ to 2
11. Which scenario describes preventive lifeguarding?
1. What does the primary responsibility of a lifeguard include?
a. Conduct surveillance.
b. Administer swim tests.
c. Assist patrons with questions.
d. Ensure that resuscitation equipment is working.
a. Conduct surveillance.
2. In which scenario is a lifeguard demonstrating characteristics of professional
appearance while conducting surveillance?
a. Using a mobile phone
b. Socializing with patrons
c. Assuming a relaxed posture
d. Wearing the lifeguard uniform properly
d. Wearing the lifeguard uniform properly
3. What immediate action should a lifeguard take when they hear thunder in the
distance?
a. Clear patrons from the water.
b. Count the seconds between claps of thunder.
c. Monitor weather reports to watch for storms.
d. Allow patrons to remain in the water until lightning is sighted
a. Clear patrons from the water.
4. A lifeguard is conducting surveillance from a ground-level station. The water depth
in their zone is 4 feet. A person at the far end of their zone starts to display active
drowning behaviors. The water in front of their zone is crowded with patrons.
Which entry should the lifeguard use in this situation?
a. Stride jump
b. Slide-in entry
c. Compact jump
d. Run-and-swim entry
b. Slide-in entry
5. A patron in the water is vertical, struggling to keep their face above the water, has
their arms extended to their sides, is pressing down for support and is not making
any forward progress in the water.
Which situation do these behaviors describe?
a. Distressed swimmer
b. Active drowning person
c.Passive drowning person
, d. Person with potential spinal injury
b. Active drowning person
6. Which behavior does a passive drowning person exhibit?
a. May be clinging to a line for support
b. Struggles at the surface of the water
c. Has defined arm and leg movements leading to purposeful movement
d. Appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking or on the bottom
d. Appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking or on the bottom
7. How often should a lifeguard complete a scan of their entire zone?
a. Every 15 seconds
b. Every 30 seconds
c. Every 45 seconds
d. Every 90 seconds
b. Every 30 seconds
8. Which action indicates that a lifeguard is using an effective scanning technique?
a. Sits still to prevent too much distracting body movement
b. Mentally rehearses how to perform a rescue to help stay alert and prepared
c. Moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
d. Focuses most of their attention on high-risk patrons, occasionally glancing at other
patrons
c. Moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone
9. Sun glare on the water surface is making it difficult for a lifeguard to see patrons
on one side of their surveillance area. The lifeguard stands up and attempts to look
around and through the glare spot without success.
Which action should the lifeguard take in this situation?
a. Signal for assistance.
b. Keep trying to adjust their position.
c. Wait for the sun position to change.
d. Move patrons to an area not affected by glare.
a. Signal for assistance.
10. A lifeguard station response time testing should be completed within how many
minutes?
a. 1 ½ to 2
b. 4 ½2 to 5
c. 6 to 8
d. 9 to 10
a. 1 ½ to 2
11. Which scenario describes preventive lifeguarding?
