Red Cross Lifeguarding 2025 exam questions
and answers 100%Correctly verified answers
latest update 2025/2026 RATED A+
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. - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS
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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT
ANSWERS 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.
and answers 100%Correctly verified answers
latest update 2025/2026 RATED A+
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. - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT ANSWERS
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 - CORRECT ANSWERS 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 - CORRECT
ANSWERS 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.
