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SGE LIFEGUARD TEST PRACTICE
EXAM/STUDY GUIDE 2026 ALL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
ALREADY A GRADED |NEW AND REVISED
What happens when a drowning person tries to breath? - ANSWER- The
person may swallow large amount of water
Which is the correct description of drowning? - ANSWER- Drowning is
a process with three possible outcomes: survival without brain damage,
survival with brain damage, or death.
What would be the correct term to use if a person experienced a
drowning incident but was resuscitated and did not die? - ANSWER-
Non-fatal drowning
What determines whether water is shallow or not? - ANSWER- A
person's height
An unresponsive drowning person may be found floating near the pool
bottom or lying on the bottom. Where else may you find a drowning
person? - ANSWER- Floating on the surface or just underneath the
surface of the water
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Why might an unresponsive person appear to be moving or appear to
move location in the water? - ANSWER- Movement of the water created
by others or pool currents may cause an unresponsive person to move
Why is it important to begin rescue breathing for an unresponsive
drowning person as quickly as possible? - ANSWER- To prevent or
minimize brain damage
The length of time a person is submerged is the most important predictor
of survival? - ANSWER- True
If you are providing constant and dedicated surveillance, how often
should you watch your zone? - ANSWER- All of the time, and no other
assigned tasks should intrude
What is scanning? - ANSWER- Searching the water in a systematic way
If an unresponsive drowning person may look similar to people who are
floating or are underwater and are okay, what can you do to tell them
apart? - ANSWER- Look to see that the person lifts his or her head to
breathe within a few seconds (look for life)
Lifeguards are the first link in the drowning chain of survival, and they
should be considered part of the prehospital system of care, along with
EMS and other responders. - ANSWER- True
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Which is a crucially important fact for lifeguards to be aware of at all
times? - ANSWER- Drowning can happen quickly and silently to
anyone at anytime
While on station lifeguarding, what will occupy the majority of your
time? - ANSWER- Searching the water
Swimmers should not be allowed to participate in breath-holding or
underwater swimming contests. - ANSWER- True
What would you do if you were using standard (universal) precautions? -
ANSWER- Consider and treat all bodily substances as they were
contaminated
What does RWI stand for? - ANSWER- Recreational water illness
What should you assume about other people's blood and bodily fluids? -
ANSWER- The fluids are potentially infectious
What ratio of bleach to water should you use when preparing a solution
to clean up bodily fluids and fecal matter on surfaces around the pool? -
ANSWER- 1 part bleach to 9 parts water
Why is cryptosporidium likely to be transmitted through loose stools
(diarrhea)? - ANSWER- Cryptosporidium causes diarrhea resulting in
millions of germs that spread quickly through the water
SGE LIFEGUARD TEST PRACTICE
EXAM/STUDY GUIDE 2026 ALL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
ALREADY A GRADED |NEW AND REVISED
What happens when a drowning person tries to breath? - ANSWER- The
person may swallow large amount of water
Which is the correct description of drowning? - ANSWER- Drowning is
a process with three possible outcomes: survival without brain damage,
survival with brain damage, or death.
What would be the correct term to use if a person experienced a
drowning incident but was resuscitated and did not die? - ANSWER-
Non-fatal drowning
What determines whether water is shallow or not? - ANSWER- A
person's height
An unresponsive drowning person may be found floating near the pool
bottom or lying on the bottom. Where else may you find a drowning
person? - ANSWER- Floating on the surface or just underneath the
surface of the water
,2|Page
Why might an unresponsive person appear to be moving or appear to
move location in the water? - ANSWER- Movement of the water created
by others or pool currents may cause an unresponsive person to move
Why is it important to begin rescue breathing for an unresponsive
drowning person as quickly as possible? - ANSWER- To prevent or
minimize brain damage
The length of time a person is submerged is the most important predictor
of survival? - ANSWER- True
If you are providing constant and dedicated surveillance, how often
should you watch your zone? - ANSWER- All of the time, and no other
assigned tasks should intrude
What is scanning? - ANSWER- Searching the water in a systematic way
If an unresponsive drowning person may look similar to people who are
floating or are underwater and are okay, what can you do to tell them
apart? - ANSWER- Look to see that the person lifts his or her head to
breathe within a few seconds (look for life)
Lifeguards are the first link in the drowning chain of survival, and they
should be considered part of the prehospital system of care, along with
EMS and other responders. - ANSWER- True
, 3|Page
Which is a crucially important fact for lifeguards to be aware of at all
times? - ANSWER- Drowning can happen quickly and silently to
anyone at anytime
While on station lifeguarding, what will occupy the majority of your
time? - ANSWER- Searching the water
Swimmers should not be allowed to participate in breath-holding or
underwater swimming contests. - ANSWER- True
What would you do if you were using standard (universal) precautions? -
ANSWER- Consider and treat all bodily substances as they were
contaminated
What does RWI stand for? - ANSWER- Recreational water illness
What should you assume about other people's blood and bodily fluids? -
ANSWER- The fluids are potentially infectious
What ratio of bleach to water should you use when preparing a solution
to clean up bodily fluids and fecal matter on surfaces around the pool? -
ANSWER- 1 part bleach to 9 parts water
Why is cryptosporidium likely to be transmitted through loose stools
(diarrhea)? - ANSWER- Cryptosporidium causes diarrhea resulting in
millions of germs that spread quickly through the water
