LIFEGUARD INSTRUCTOR FINAL EXAM –
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION | COMPLETE TEST
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS.
INTRODUCTION:
This package is designed for candidates preparing for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding
Instructor final written exam. The 80 questions are based on the current American Red Cross
Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual, Lifeguarding Manual, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and
Health Care Providers Manual, and First Aid Manual. The content covers instructor
responsibilities, course administration, skill mastery standards, scenario-based teaching,
evaluation criteria, and the legal and ethical guidelines for certifying lifeguards.
1. According to the American Red Cross, what is the FIRST step an instructor must take when a
participant fails a lifeguarding skill precourse session?
A. Allow them to audit the course without certification.
B. Provide immediate remedial training and a single re-test.
C. Dismiss them from the course with a full refund.
D. Document the failure and inform them they are ineligible for the current course.
Answer: D
Rationale: Per the Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual, participants who do not pass the precourse
skills evaluation (300-yard swim, brick retrieval, etc.) cannot continue in the current lifeguarding
course. The instructor must document the outcome and inform the participant of their
ineligibility. They may be referred to appropriate training to improve skills for a future course.
2. During a lifeguarding course, an instructor is demonstrating rescue breathing for a non-
trauma submersion victim. After giving the initial 2 ventilations, the victim's chest does not rise.
What is the instructor's correct next teaching point?
A. Immediately begin chest compressions.
B. Re-tilt the head and attempt another ventilation.
C. Assume an airway obstruction and begin abdominal thrusts.
D. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
, Answer: B
Rationale: For a non-trauma victim in a submersion scenario, if the chest does not rise with the
initial ventilation, the rescuer must re-open the airway (re-tilt the head) and attempt another
ventilation before proceeding. This specific sequence is critical for drowning resuscitation,
where airway obstruction is often due to water or positioning.
3. What is the maximum allowable time gap between completing the Lifeguarding course and
completing the Instructor Course for a candidate to be eligible without needing to re-take the
lifeguarding course?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. 6 months
D. 1 year
Answer: B
Rationale: American Red Cross policy states that to enter the Lifeguarding Instructor course, a
participant must possess a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate OR have
completed the Lifeguarding course within the previous 90 days.
4. When evaluating a participant's performance in the "Passive Submerged Victim" rescue skill,
which action by the participant is an automatic failure?
A. Entering the water using a stride or compact jump.
B. Using a modified head splint technique instead of a standard head splint.
C. Failing to rotate the victim within 30 seconds of making contact.
D. Not providing ventilations in the water before towing.
Answer: D
Rationale: For a passive submerged victim, providing 2 ventilations in the water immediately
after the victim's face is rotated above the surface is a critical performance step. Failure to do so
is an automatic failure of the skill, as it delays essential oxygenation in a submersion emergency.
5. Which of the following is the PRIMARY legal responsibility of a Lifeguarding Instructor when
certifying a candidate?
A. Ensuring the candidate can swim faster than the instructor.
INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION | COMPLETE TEST
QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS.
INTRODUCTION:
This package is designed for candidates preparing for the American Red Cross Lifeguarding
Instructor final written exam. The 80 questions are based on the current American Red Cross
Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual, Lifeguarding Manual, CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and
Health Care Providers Manual, and First Aid Manual. The content covers instructor
responsibilities, course administration, skill mastery standards, scenario-based teaching,
evaluation criteria, and the legal and ethical guidelines for certifying lifeguards.
1. According to the American Red Cross, what is the FIRST step an instructor must take when a
participant fails a lifeguarding skill precourse session?
A. Allow them to audit the course without certification.
B. Provide immediate remedial training and a single re-test.
C. Dismiss them from the course with a full refund.
D. Document the failure and inform them they are ineligible for the current course.
Answer: D
Rationale: Per the Lifeguarding Instructor's Manual, participants who do not pass the precourse
skills evaluation (300-yard swim, brick retrieval, etc.) cannot continue in the current lifeguarding
course. The instructor must document the outcome and inform the participant of their
ineligibility. They may be referred to appropriate training to improve skills for a future course.
2. During a lifeguarding course, an instructor is demonstrating rescue breathing for a non-
trauma submersion victim. After giving the initial 2 ventilations, the victim's chest does not rise.
What is the instructor's correct next teaching point?
A. Immediately begin chest compressions.
B. Re-tilt the head and attempt another ventilation.
C. Assume an airway obstruction and begin abdominal thrusts.
D. Check for a pulse for no more than 10 seconds.
, Answer: B
Rationale: For a non-trauma victim in a submersion scenario, if the chest does not rise with the
initial ventilation, the rescuer must re-open the airway (re-tilt the head) and attempt another
ventilation before proceeding. This specific sequence is critical for drowning resuscitation,
where airway obstruction is often due to water or positioning.
3. What is the maximum allowable time gap between completing the Lifeguarding course and
completing the Instructor Course for a candidate to be eligible without needing to re-take the
lifeguarding course?
A. 30 days
B. 90 days
C. 6 months
D. 1 year
Answer: B
Rationale: American Red Cross policy states that to enter the Lifeguarding Instructor course, a
participant must possess a current Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certificate OR have
completed the Lifeguarding course within the previous 90 days.
4. When evaluating a participant's performance in the "Passive Submerged Victim" rescue skill,
which action by the participant is an automatic failure?
A. Entering the water using a stride or compact jump.
B. Using a modified head splint technique instead of a standard head splint.
C. Failing to rotate the victim within 30 seconds of making contact.
D. Not providing ventilations in the water before towing.
Answer: D
Rationale: For a passive submerged victim, providing 2 ventilations in the water immediately
after the victim's face is rotated above the surface is a critical performance step. Failure to do so
is an automatic failure of the skill, as it delays essential oxygenation in a submersion emergency.
5. Which of the following is the PRIMARY legal responsibility of a Lifeguarding Instructor when
certifying a candidate?
A. Ensuring the candidate can swim faster than the instructor.
