AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARD WRITTEN
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
GUARANTEED PASS 2025/2026
what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard
while on duty? list at least two and describe how/when each item is
used - ANSWER ->back boards (to remove victims from the water when
they are unable to exit on their own), rescue buoy (to throw to a person
to keep them afloat), other personal protective equipment (PPE), other
resuscitation equipment, an automated external defibrillator (AED),
first aid supplies and rescue boards.
as a lifeguard you are responsible for? - ANSWER >consistently
enforcing your facilities rules and regulations
list 5 common rules and regulations often posted at an aquatic facility -
ANSWER ->swim only when a lifeguard is on duty, swim diapers are
required for small children or people with incontience, no swimming
with open or infected wounds, obey lifeguard instructions at all times,
no hyperventilating before swimming, underwater or breath holding
contests, no sitting of playing near or with drains or suction fittings,
dive only in designated areas, no glass containers in the pool area and
locker rooms, no alcoholic beverages or drugs allowed.
explain what it means to be equipped and rescue ready - ANSWER -
>having like the proper things on you and
being alert (not doing other things)
,list each type of swimmers in distress or growing victims with three
observable characteristics for each - ANSWER
->PAGE 63
DISTRESSED SWIMMER: above the water, trying to support self by
holding or clinging to a lane, line, expression for concern for personal
safety, is breathing, floating, sculling or treading water, might wave for
help, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, little or no forward moving
progress, less and less able to support self, able to call for help but
might not do so, at the surface of water.
DROWNING VICTIM- ACTIVE: someone who is struggling to remain at
the surface of the water, they are tying to keep their mouth above the
water (instinctive drowning response). they may not be able to call out
for help, works to keep their face above the water, may be horizontal
face down position, has extended arms to the side or front pressing
down for support, is positioned vertically in the water with an
ineffective kick, might continued to struggle underwater once
submerged, eventually will loose consciousness and stop moving.
DROWNING VICTIM - PASSIVE: no struggle/slipping underwater due to a
medical condition such as having a heart, seizure, head injury, heart
related illness, hypothermia, hyperventilation/prolonged underwater
breath holding. they might float face down or near the surface or
bottom, might be limp or have little movement, have no body
action/no breathing, might look like their floating, may be face down,
on one side, face up or at the bottom.
, roving stations - ANSWER ->when a facility is unusually crowded. a
roving lifeguard is assigned to a specific zone, which is covered by
another lifeguard on an elevated station. they walk around and are able
to position themseleves where needed in the zone.
elevated stations - ANSWER ->most effective posistion for a broad view.
single lifeguard.
ground level stations - ANSWER ->fixed location on a deck or in shallow
water. quick response to be close to patrons so you can assist quickly
and enforce safety rules.
floating station - ANSWER ->watching swimmers from a water craft
(boat like at camp) patrol on the outer edge of the swimming area, can
be quickly to the rescue. could be a knack, rowboat.
a lifeguard on duty should be able to recognize and reach a drowning
victim within? - ANSWER ->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 - ANSWER >1
1/2 - 2 minutes
total coverage - ANSWER ->you are the only lifeguard while you are on
duty, you have to scan the entire area, control the activities of patrons
in and out of the water
and recognize and respond to emergencies
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
GUARANTEED PASS 2025/2026
what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard
while on duty? list at least two and describe how/when each item is
used - ANSWER ->back boards (to remove victims from the water when
they are unable to exit on their own), rescue buoy (to throw to a person
to keep them afloat), other personal protective equipment (PPE), other
resuscitation equipment, an automated external defibrillator (AED),
first aid supplies and rescue boards.
as a lifeguard you are responsible for? - ANSWER >consistently
enforcing your facilities rules and regulations
list 5 common rules and regulations often posted at an aquatic facility -
ANSWER ->swim only when a lifeguard is on duty, swim diapers are
required for small children or people with incontience, no swimming
with open or infected wounds, obey lifeguard instructions at all times,
no hyperventilating before swimming, underwater or breath holding
contests, no sitting of playing near or with drains or suction fittings,
dive only in designated areas, no glass containers in the pool area and
locker rooms, no alcoholic beverages or drugs allowed.
explain what it means to be equipped and rescue ready - ANSWER -
>having like the proper things on you and
being alert (not doing other things)
,list each type of swimmers in distress or growing victims with three
observable characteristics for each - ANSWER
->PAGE 63
DISTRESSED SWIMMER: above the water, trying to support self by
holding or clinging to a lane, line, expression for concern for personal
safety, is breathing, floating, sculling or treading water, might wave for
help, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, little or no forward moving
progress, less and less able to support self, able to call for help but
might not do so, at the surface of water.
DROWNING VICTIM- ACTIVE: someone who is struggling to remain at
the surface of the water, they are tying to keep their mouth above the
water (instinctive drowning response). they may not be able to call out
for help, works to keep their face above the water, may be horizontal
face down position, has extended arms to the side or front pressing
down for support, is positioned vertically in the water with an
ineffective kick, might continued to struggle underwater once
submerged, eventually will loose consciousness and stop moving.
DROWNING VICTIM - PASSIVE: no struggle/slipping underwater due to a
medical condition such as having a heart, seizure, head injury, heart
related illness, hypothermia, hyperventilation/prolonged underwater
breath holding. they might float face down or near the surface or
bottom, might be limp or have little movement, have no body
action/no breathing, might look like their floating, may be face down,
on one side, face up or at the bottom.
, roving stations - ANSWER ->when a facility is unusually crowded. a
roving lifeguard is assigned to a specific zone, which is covered by
another lifeguard on an elevated station. they walk around and are able
to position themseleves where needed in the zone.
elevated stations - ANSWER ->most effective posistion for a broad view.
single lifeguard.
ground level stations - ANSWER ->fixed location on a deck or in shallow
water. quick response to be close to patrons so you can assist quickly
and enforce safety rules.
floating station - ANSWER ->watching swimmers from a water craft
(boat like at camp) patrol on the outer edge of the swimming area, can
be quickly to the rescue. could be a knack, rowboat.
a lifeguard on duty should be able to recognize and reach a drowning
victim within? - ANSWER ->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 - ANSWER >1
1/2 - 2 minutes
total coverage - ANSWER ->you are the only lifeguard while you are on
duty, you have to scan the entire area, control the activities of patrons
in and out of the water
and recognize and respond to emergencies
