AMERICAN RED CROSS LIFEGUARDING FINAL
WRITTEN EXAM
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - Answers- To prevent drowning and
other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility. - Answers-
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. - Answers- 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. - Answers- Knowledgeable and
skilled, Reliable, Mature, Courteous and consistent, and Positive
Lifeguards should always do what? - Answers- 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? - Answers-
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. - Answers- 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? -
Answers- Two years
What are the benefits of regular, frequent in-service training? - Answers- 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? -
Answers- 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 appropriate for attraction, and Electronic
dispatch systems are tested and are operating properly
, Why should water parks have signs posted at every attraction stating the water depth? -
Answers- To prevent patrons from finding themselves in water that is deeper or
shallower than they expected
What rules are typically covered at water park attractions? - Answers- The minimum or
maximum number of people allowed on an attraction or tube at 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 parks different than typical pool? -
Answers- Various attractions, Ride Vehicles, Currents on attractions, Potentially larger
crowds, and Different rules and EAPs
What items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard? -
Answers- Gowns, Shields, Resuscitation masks, Gloves, and Protective Eyewear
What equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all times while on duty?
(List at least two and include the reason(s) why this equipment should be worn or
carried.) - Answers- Rescue tubes are capable of keeping multiple victims afloat and
whistles are used to activate their facility's EAP and get attention of other members of
the safety team and patrons for policy enforcement
What safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard while on
duty?(List at least two and describe how/when each item is used.) - Answers-
Backboards are used to remove victims from the water when they are unable to exit the
water on their own or when they have a possible injury to the head, neck, or spine and
first aid kits include supplies used to treat common injuries at aquatic facilities
As a lifeguard you are responsible for consistently enforcing what? - Answers- Your
facility's rules and regulations
List the five common rules and regulations often posted at an aquatic facility. -
Answers- Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty, No running, pushing, or rough play,
Dive 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-ready." - Answers- You are wearing
or carrying the appropriate rescue equipment for your facility and ready to enter the
water to perform a rescue
How does an American Red Cross certified lifeguard get recertified? - Answers- Going
through the Lifeguard class or course again
WRITTEN EXAM
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - Answers- To prevent drowning and
other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility. - Answers-
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. - Answers- 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. - Answers- Knowledgeable and
skilled, Reliable, Mature, Courteous and consistent, and Positive
Lifeguards should always do what? - Answers- 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? - Answers-
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. - Answers- 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? -
Answers- Two years
What are the benefits of regular, frequent in-service training? - Answers- 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? -
Answers- 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 appropriate for attraction, and Electronic
dispatch systems are tested and are operating properly
, Why should water parks have signs posted at every attraction stating the water depth? -
Answers- To prevent patrons from finding themselves in water that is deeper or
shallower than they expected
What rules are typically covered at water park attractions? - Answers- The minimum or
maximum number of people allowed on an attraction or tube at 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 parks different than typical pool? -
Answers- Various attractions, Ride Vehicles, Currents on attractions, Potentially larger
crowds, and Different rules and EAPs
What items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard? -
Answers- Gowns, Shields, Resuscitation masks, Gloves, and Protective Eyewear
What equipment should be worn or carried by a lifeguard at all times while on duty?
(List at least two and include the reason(s) why this equipment should be worn or
carried.) - Answers- Rescue tubes are capable of keeping multiple victims afloat and
whistles are used to activate their facility's EAP and get attention of other members of
the safety team and patrons for policy enforcement
What safety equipment/items should be easily accessible for a lifeguard while on
duty?(List at least two and describe how/when each item is used.) - Answers-
Backboards are used to remove victims from the water when they are unable to exit the
water on their own or when they have a possible injury to the head, neck, or spine and
first aid kits include supplies used to treat common injuries at aquatic facilities
As a lifeguard you are responsible for consistently enforcing what? - Answers- Your
facility's rules and regulations
List the five common rules and regulations often posted at an aquatic facility. -
Answers- Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty, No running, pushing, or rough play,
Dive 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-ready." - Answers- You are wearing
or carrying the appropriate rescue equipment for your facility and ready to enter the
water to perform a rescue
How does an American Red Cross certified lifeguard get recertified? - Answers- Going
through the Lifeguard class or course again
