LIFEGUARD TEST RED CROSS 2026 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK KEY LIFESAVING
TECHNIQUES AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLANATIONS
◉ active victim front rescue. Answer: 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.. Answer: 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. Answer: good to use with a crowded zone
◉ elevated stations. Answer: ideal for a single-guard facility
◉ ground-level stations. Answer: puts you close to the patrons to
easily make assists
◉ floating stations. Answer: 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.... 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: 1.5 - 2 minutes
to ensure you can get there quickly enough to save them
,◉ what is the difference between total and zone coverage. Answer:
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
◉ lifeguards should be actively _____ their zones. Why?. Answer:
searching - to make sure they don't miss anything that's happening
like someone drowning or in distress
◉ you are guarding a lap swim with only two patrons. All of the
following will help you deal with monotony EXCEPT for which?
a. stay fully engaged and do not let attention drift
b. change body position and posture periodically
c. swing whistle lanyard
d. sit upright and slightly forward. Answer: C
◉ The glare of the lights on the water and the water movements are
making it hard to see all areas of your zone. Circle all acceptable
options.
A. Wear polarized sunglasses.
B. Adjust your body position; stand up to look around and through
the glare spots.
, C. Reposition the lifeguard station with the permission of your
supervisor
D. Be aware of the normal appearance of the bottom of the pool;
know the appearance of drains, colored tiles or painted depth
markings
E. Do not change your position as a lifeguard stations are placed to
be aesthetically pleasing. Answer: A, B, C, D
◉ it is very hot in your facility and you are starting to doze on the
stand. All of the following can help you stay alert except for which?
a. stay in a cooler area during breaks
b. stay hydrated while drinking plenty of water
c. rotate more frequently
d. jump in the pool while on surveillance duty to cool off. Answer: D
◉ why is it important for lifeguard managers to conduct drills to test
zones?. Answer: to make sure they're appropriate for adequate
patron surveillance and response time to victims in water
◉ rapid, deep breathing, is a dangerous technique used by some
swimmers to try to swim long distances underwater or to hold their
breath for an extended period while submerged in one place.
Answer: hyperventilating
PREPARATION PACK KEY LIFESAVING
TECHNIQUES AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS WITH
EXPLANATIONS
◉ active victim front rescue. Answer: 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.. Answer: 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. Answer: good to use with a crowded zone
◉ elevated stations. Answer: ideal for a single-guard facility
◉ ground-level stations. Answer: puts you close to the patrons to
easily make assists
◉ floating stations. Answer: 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.... 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: 1.5 - 2 minutes
to ensure you can get there quickly enough to save them
,◉ what is the difference between total and zone coverage. Answer:
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
◉ lifeguards should be actively _____ their zones. Why?. Answer:
searching - to make sure they don't miss anything that's happening
like someone drowning or in distress
◉ you are guarding a lap swim with only two patrons. All of the
following will help you deal with monotony EXCEPT for which?
a. stay fully engaged and do not let attention drift
b. change body position and posture periodically
c. swing whistle lanyard
d. sit upright and slightly forward. Answer: C
◉ The glare of the lights on the water and the water movements are
making it hard to see all areas of your zone. Circle all acceptable
options.
A. Wear polarized sunglasses.
B. Adjust your body position; stand up to look around and through
the glare spots.
, C. Reposition the lifeguard station with the permission of your
supervisor
D. Be aware of the normal appearance of the bottom of the pool;
know the appearance of drains, colored tiles or painted depth
markings
E. Do not change your position as a lifeguard stations are placed to
be aesthetically pleasing. Answer: A, B, C, D
◉ it is very hot in your facility and you are starting to doze on the
stand. All of the following can help you stay alert except for which?
a. stay in a cooler area during breaks
b. stay hydrated while drinking plenty of water
c. rotate more frequently
d. jump in the pool while on surveillance duty to cool off. Answer: D
◉ why is it important for lifeguard managers to conduct drills to test
zones?. Answer: to make sure they're appropriate for adequate
patron surveillance and response time to victims in water
◉ rapid, deep breathing, is a dangerous technique used by some
swimmers to try to swim long distances underwater or to hold their
breath for an extended period while submerged in one place.
Answer: hyperventilating
