LIFEGUARD TEST RED CROSS 2026 STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE WATER SAFETY AND
RESCUE SKILLS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
◉ provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary
responsibility. Answer: 1. monitoring activities in and out of the
water
2. eliminating hazardous situations/behaviors
3. recognizing and responding to all emergencies
◉ list five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never
interfere with patron surveillance. Answer: 1. completing records
and reports
2. pool maintenance
3. giving swim tests
4. giving swim lessons
5. testing pool water/chlorine levels
◉ list five characteristics of a professional lifeguard. Answer: 1.
reliable
2. mature
3. courteous
,4. positive
5. knowledgeable
◉ lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an
emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty. Answer: C
◉ 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?. Answer: negligence
◉ list the five steps that a lifeguard should take when obtaining
consent from an injured or ill person before providing first aid or
emergency care:. Answer: 1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can help
4. explain that you'd like to help them
5. explain what you plan to do
,◉ why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and
training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and
know how to perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety
and rescue equipment and EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the
facility
d. all of the above. Answer: D
◉ what does EAP stand for?. Answer: Emergency Action Plan
◉ why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to
understand and practice the EAP?. Answer: because everyone needs
to know their responsibility and how to perform it effectively
◉ what is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training
participation at well-managed aquatic facilities?. Answer: at least 4
hours of in-service training each month
◉ what does FIND stand for?. Answer: F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
, ◉ what items are considered to be personal protective equipment
for a lifeguard?. Answer: - gloves
- gowns
- protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
◉ what equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all
times while on duty? List 2 and include reasons why.. Answer: 1)
rescue tube - can keep multiple victims afloat
2) hip-pack with gloves and resuscitation mask - needs to be
instantly available incase of an emergency
◉ what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a
lifeguard? list at least 2 and describe how/when each item is used..
Answer: 1) backboard - removes victim from water when they can't
do it themselves
2) AED - helps heart reestablish an affective rhythm
◉ As a lifeguard you are responsible for:. Answer: consistently
enforcing your facility's rules and regulations
◉ list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility.. Answer: 1.
swim only when lifeguard is on duty
GUIDE COMPLETE WATER SAFETY AND
RESCUE SKILLS PRACTICE QUESTIONS
◉ provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary
responsibility. Answer: 1. monitoring activities in and out of the
water
2. eliminating hazardous situations/behaviors
3. recognizing and responding to all emergencies
◉ list five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never
interfere with patron surveillance. Answer: 1. completing records
and reports
2. pool maintenance
3. giving swim tests
4. giving swim lessons
5. testing pool water/chlorine levels
◉ list five characteristics of a professional lifeguard. Answer: 1.
reliable
2. mature
3. courteous
,4. positive
5. knowledgeable
◉ lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an
emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty. Answer: C
◉ 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?. Answer: negligence
◉ list the five steps that a lifeguard should take when obtaining
consent from an injured or ill person before providing first aid or
emergency care:. Answer: 1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can help
4. explain that you'd like to help them
5. explain what you plan to do
,◉ why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and
training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and
know how to perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety
and rescue equipment and EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the
facility
d. all of the above. Answer: D
◉ what does EAP stand for?. Answer: Emergency Action Plan
◉ why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to
understand and practice the EAP?. Answer: because everyone needs
to know their responsibility and how to perform it effectively
◉ what is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training
participation at well-managed aquatic facilities?. Answer: at least 4
hours of in-service training each month
◉ what does FIND stand for?. Answer: F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
, ◉ what items are considered to be personal protective equipment
for a lifeguard?. Answer: - gloves
- gowns
- protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
◉ what equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all
times while on duty? List 2 and include reasons why.. Answer: 1)
rescue tube - can keep multiple victims afloat
2) hip-pack with gloves and resuscitation mask - needs to be
instantly available incase of an emergency
◉ what safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a
lifeguard? list at least 2 and describe how/when each item is used..
Answer: 1) backboard - removes victim from water when they can't
do it themselves
2) AED - helps heart reestablish an affective rhythm
◉ As a lifeguard you are responsible for:. Answer: consistently
enforcing your facility's rules and regulations
◉ list 5 common rules often posted at an aquatic facility.. Answer: 1.
swim only when lifeguard is on duty
