American Red Cross Lifeguarding Final Written Exam
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? To prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron surveillance,
primary responsibility. 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 Testing pool water chemistry, Assist patrons by performing safety orientations,
should never interfere with patron surveillance. 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. Knowledgeable and skilled, Reliable, Mature, Courteous and consistent, and
Positive
Lifeguards should always do what? Be attentive and sit or stand upright when on surveillance duty
A lifeguard is texting while on surveillance duty and fails Negligence
to recognize a swimmer in distress. What legal principle
could be a problem for this lifeguard?
List the five steps that a lifeguard should take when State your name, State your level of training, Ask if you may help, Explain that
obtaining consent from an injured or ill person before you would like to assess them to find out what you think may be wrong or what
providing first aid or emergency care. you can do to help
What is the validity period of an American Red Cross Two years
Lifeguarding certification?
How does an American Red Cross certified lifeguard get Going through the Lifeguard class or course again
recertified?
Why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation To ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to
and training? 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
What does EAP stand for? Emergency Action Plan
Why is it important for lifeguards and other team So everyone knows their responsibilities and can perform them effectively
members to understand and practice the EAP?
What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service At least four hours of in-service training each month
training participation at well-managed aquatic facilities?
What are four topics that could be a discussed during in- Surveillance and recognition, Water and land rescue skills, Emergency response
service training? 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 Helps you maintain your knowledge and skills at a professional level, gives you a
training? chance to practice with other lifeguards at your facility, and it will help you to
efficiently respond as a team in an emergency
, American Red Cross Lifeguarding Final Written Exam
In a water park setting, what additional items might be Inspecting and test run of rides and slides, Checking that rafts, tubes, and/or
included in a safety checklist? sleds are properly inflated and the handles are secure, Landing areas are free of
rough surfaces and debris, Water level and flow is appropriate for attraction, and
Electronic dispatch systems are tested and are operating properly
Why should water parks have signs posted at every To prevent patrons from finding themselves in water that is deeper or shallower
attraction stating the water depth? than they expected
What rules are typically covered at water park The minimum or maximum number of people allowed on an attraction or tube at
attractions? a time, The maximum and minimum height or weight requirements for patrons
using an attraction, Rules for winding rivers, No jumping or diving into the water,
No climbing on any features, Rules for water slides, and No stacking of tubes or
life jackets
What are some factors that make lifeguarding water Various attractions, Ride Vehicles, Currents on attractions, Potentially larger
parks different than typical pool? crowds, and Different rules and EAPs
What items are considered to be personal protective Gowns, Shields, Resuscitation masks, Gloves, and Protective Eyewear
equipment for a lifeguard?
What equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard Rescue tubes are capable of keeping multiple victims afloat and whistles are
at all times while on duty? (List at least two and include used to activate their facility's EAP and get attention of other members of the
the reason(s) why this equipment should be worn or safety team and patrons for policy enforcement
carried.)
What safety equipment/items should be easily accessible Backboards are used to remove victims from the water when they are unable to
for a lifeguard while on duty?(List at least two and exit the water on their own or when they have a possible injury to the head, neck,
describe how/when each item is used.) or spine and first aid kits include supplies used to treat common injuries at
aquatic facilities
As a lifeguard you are responsible for consistently Your facility's rules and regulations
enforcing what?
List the five common rules and regulations often posted Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty, No running, pushing, or rough play, Dive
at an aquatic facility. in designated areas, No swimming with open or infected wounds, and No
alcoholic beverages or drug use allowed
Explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue- You are wearing or carrying the appropriate rescue equipment for your facility
ready." and ready to enter the water to perform a rescue
What is a good list of typical safety checklist items, along Bottom conditions, pier attachments, buoys, and safety lines
with others, applies to a lakefront swimming area?
What is a list of typical rules that applies to a lakefront No swimming under piers and no fishing near swimming area
swimming area?
In general there are three types of swimmers in distress Distressed swimmer
or drowning victims. List each type with three observable - May be able to keep their face out of the water
characteristics for each. - May be able to call or wave for help
- Floating, sculling, or treading water
Active drowning victim
- Not able to call for help
- Has extended their arms to the side or front, pressing down for support
- Is positioned vertically with an ineffective kick
Passive drowning victim
- Might float face down at or near the surface or might sink to the bottom
- May be limp or have slight convulsive-type movements
- Has no defined arm or leg action, no locomotion, and no breathing
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? To prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron surveillance,
primary responsibility. 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 Testing pool water chemistry, Assist patrons by performing safety orientations,
should never interfere with patron surveillance. 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. Knowledgeable and skilled, Reliable, Mature, Courteous and consistent, and
Positive
Lifeguards should always do what? Be attentive and sit or stand upright when on surveillance duty
A lifeguard is texting while on surveillance duty and fails Negligence
to recognize a swimmer in distress. What legal principle
could be a problem for this lifeguard?
List the five steps that a lifeguard should take when State your name, State your level of training, Ask if you may help, Explain that
obtaining consent from an injured or ill person before you would like to assess them to find out what you think may be wrong or what
providing first aid or emergency care. you can do to help
What is the validity period of an American Red Cross Two years
Lifeguarding certification?
How does an American Red Cross certified lifeguard get Going through the Lifeguard class or course again
recertified?
Why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation To ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to
and training? 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
What does EAP stand for? Emergency Action Plan
Why is it important for lifeguards and other team So everyone knows their responsibilities and can perform them effectively
members to understand and practice the EAP?
What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service At least four hours of in-service training each month
training participation at well-managed aquatic facilities?
What are four topics that could be a discussed during in- Surveillance and recognition, Water and land rescue skills, Emergency response
service training? 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 Helps you maintain your knowledge and skills at a professional level, gives you a
training? chance to practice with other lifeguards at your facility, and it will help you to
efficiently respond as a team in an emergency
, American Red Cross Lifeguarding Final Written Exam
In a water park setting, what additional items might be Inspecting and test run of rides and slides, Checking that rafts, tubes, and/or
included in a safety checklist? sleds are properly inflated and the handles are secure, Landing areas are free of
rough surfaces and debris, Water level and flow is appropriate for attraction, and
Electronic dispatch systems are tested and are operating properly
Why should water parks have signs posted at every To prevent patrons from finding themselves in water that is deeper or shallower
attraction stating the water depth? than they expected
What rules are typically covered at water park The minimum or maximum number of people allowed on an attraction or tube at
attractions? a time, The maximum and minimum height or weight requirements for patrons
using an attraction, Rules for winding rivers, No jumping or diving into the water,
No climbing on any features, Rules for water slides, and No stacking of tubes or
life jackets
What are some factors that make lifeguarding water Various attractions, Ride Vehicles, Currents on attractions, Potentially larger
parks different than typical pool? crowds, and Different rules and EAPs
What items are considered to be personal protective Gowns, Shields, Resuscitation masks, Gloves, and Protective Eyewear
equipment for a lifeguard?
What equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard Rescue tubes are capable of keeping multiple victims afloat and whistles are
at all times while on duty? (List at least two and include used to activate their facility's EAP and get attention of other members of the
the reason(s) why this equipment should be worn or safety team and patrons for policy enforcement
carried.)
What safety equipment/items should be easily accessible Backboards are used to remove victims from the water when they are unable to
for a lifeguard while on duty?(List at least two and exit the water on their own or when they have a possible injury to the head, neck,
describe how/when each item is used.) or spine and first aid kits include supplies used to treat common injuries at
aquatic facilities
As a lifeguard you are responsible for consistently Your facility's rules and regulations
enforcing what?
List the five common rules and regulations often posted Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty, No running, pushing, or rough play, Dive
at an aquatic facility. in designated areas, No swimming with open or infected wounds, and No
alcoholic beverages or drug use allowed
Explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue- You are wearing or carrying the appropriate rescue equipment for your facility
ready." and ready to enter the water to perform a rescue
What is a good list of typical safety checklist items, along Bottom conditions, pier attachments, buoys, and safety lines
with others, applies to a lakefront swimming area?
What is a list of typical rules that applies to a lakefront No swimming under piers and no fishing near swimming area
swimming area?
In general there are three types of swimmers in distress Distressed swimmer
or drowning victims. List each type with three observable - May be able to keep their face out of the water
characteristics for each. - May be able to call or wave for help
- Floating, sculling, or treading water
Active drowning victim
- Not able to call for help
- Has extended their arms to the side or front, pressing down for support
- Is positioned vertically with an ineffective kick
Passive drowning victim
- Might float face down at or near the surface or might sink to the bottom
- May be limp or have slight convulsive-type movements
- Has no defined arm or leg action, no locomotion, and no breathing
