1
AMERICAN RED CROSS
LIFEGUARDING FINAL WRITTEN
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
2026/2027
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - correct-answer - To prevent
drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility. -
correct-answer - Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron
surveillance, Administering first aid, CPR, and AED, and Working as a team with
other lifeguards, facility staff, and management
List five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with
patron surveillance. - correct-answer - Testing pool water chemistry, Assist
patrons by performing safety orientations, administrating swim tests, fitting life
jackets, and other duties, Cleaning or performing maintenance, Completing
records and reports, and Performing opening duties, closing duties, or facility
safety checks and inspections
List five characteristics of a professional lifeguard. - correct-answer -
Knowledgeable and skilled, Reliable, Mature, Courteous and consistent, and
Positive
, 2
Lifeguards should always do what? - correct-answer - Be attentive and sit or stand
upright when on surveillance duty
A lifeguard is texting while on surveillance duty and fails to recognize a swimmer
in distress. What legal principle could be a problem for this lifeguard? - correct-
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. - correct-answer
- State your name, State your level of training, Ask if you may help, Explain that
you would like to assess them to find out what you think may be wrong or what
you can do to help
What is the validity period of an American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification? -
correct-answer - Two years
How does an American Red Cross certified lifeguard get recertified? - correct-
answer - Going through the Lifeguard class or course again
Why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training? - correct-
answer - To ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know
how to perform their job, To ensure that lifeguards get practice with their
facility's safety and rescue equipment and emergency action plans, and To ensure
lifeguards understand codes, rules, and regulations of the facility
, 3
What does EAP stand for? - correct-answer - Emergency Action Plan
Why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and
practice the EAP? - correct-answer - So everyone knows their responsibilities and
can perform them effectively
What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at
well-managed aquatic facilities? - correct-answer - At least four hours of in-service
training each month
What are four topics that could be a discussed during in-service training? -
correct-answer - Surveillance and recognition, Water and land rescue skills,
Emergency response drills, and Decision-making protocols (or Facility rules and
regulations, Customer service, Records and reports, and Physical conditioning)
What are the benefits of regular, frequent in-service training? - correct-answer -
Helps you maintain your knowledge and skills at a professional level, gives you a
chance to practice with other lifeguards at your facility, and it will help you to
efficiently respond as a team in an emergency
In a water park setting, what additional items might be included in a safety
checklist? - correct-answer - Inspecting and test run of rides and slides, Checking
that rafts, tubes, and/or sleds are properly inflated and the handles are secure,
Landing areas are free of rough surfaces and debris, Water level and flow is
AMERICAN RED CROSS
LIFEGUARDING FINAL WRITTEN
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
2026/2027
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - correct-answer - To prevent
drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility. -
correct-answer - Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron
surveillance, Administering first aid, CPR, and AED, and Working as a team with
other lifeguards, facility staff, and management
List five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with
patron surveillance. - correct-answer - Testing pool water chemistry, Assist
patrons by performing safety orientations, administrating swim tests, fitting life
jackets, and other duties, Cleaning or performing maintenance, Completing
records and reports, and Performing opening duties, closing duties, or facility
safety checks and inspections
List five characteristics of a professional lifeguard. - correct-answer -
Knowledgeable and skilled, Reliable, Mature, Courteous and consistent, and
Positive
, 2
Lifeguards should always do what? - correct-answer - Be attentive and sit or stand
upright when on surveillance duty
A lifeguard is texting while on surveillance duty and fails to recognize a swimmer
in distress. What legal principle could be a problem for this lifeguard? - correct-
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. - correct-answer
- State your name, State your level of training, Ask if you may help, Explain that
you would like to assess them to find out what you think may be wrong or what
you can do to help
What is the validity period of an American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification? -
correct-answer - Two years
How does an American Red Cross certified lifeguard get recertified? - correct-
answer - Going through the Lifeguard class or course again
Why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training? - correct-
answer - To ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know
how to perform their job, To ensure that lifeguards get practice with their
facility's safety and rescue equipment and emergency action plans, and To ensure
lifeguards understand codes, rules, and regulations of the facility
, 3
What does EAP stand for? - correct-answer - Emergency Action Plan
Why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and
practice the EAP? - correct-answer - So everyone knows their responsibilities and
can perform them effectively
What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at
well-managed aquatic facilities? - correct-answer - At least four hours of in-service
training each month
What are four topics that could be a discussed during in-service training? -
correct-answer - Surveillance and recognition, Water and land rescue skills,
Emergency response drills, and Decision-making protocols (or Facility rules and
regulations, Customer service, Records and reports, and Physical conditioning)
What are the benefits of regular, frequent in-service training? - correct-answer -
Helps you maintain your knowledge and skills at a professional level, gives you a
chance to practice with other lifeguards at your facility, and it will help you to
efficiently respond as a team in an emergency
In a water park setting, what additional items might be included in a safety
checklist? - correct-answer - Inspecting and test run of rides and slides, Checking
that rafts, tubes, and/or sleds are properly inflated and the handles are secure,
Landing areas are free of rough surfaces and debris, Water level and flow is
