AMERICAN RED CROSS
LIFEGUARDING EXAM WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWER 2026\2027 LATEST
UPDATED GRADED A+
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - Correct answer To
prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Examples of fulfilling primary responsibilities - Correct answer -
Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron surveillance
- Preventing injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous behaviors
- Enforcing facility rules and regulations and educating patrons about them
- Recognizing and responding quickly and effectively to all emergencies
- Administering first aid and CPR, including using an ARD and, of trained,
administering emergency oxygen when needed
- Working as a team with other lifeguards, facility staff, and management
Examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with
patron surveillance - Correct answer - Testing the pool water chemistry
- Assist patrons by performing safety orientations, administering swim tests,
fitting life jackets, and other duties
- Cleaning or performing maintenance
- Completing records and reports
- Performing opening duties, closing duties, or facility safety checks and
inspections
Characteristics of a professional lifeguard - Correct answer -
Knowledgeable and skilled
- Reliable
- Mature
- Courteous and consistent
- Positive
- Professional
- Healthy and fit (exercise, eat/hydrate properly, rest adequately, protect
yourself from sun exposure)
Legal considerations - Correct answer 1. Duty to Act
,2. Standard of Care
3. Negligence
4. Abandonment
5. Confidentiality
6. Documentation
7. Consent
8. Refusal of care
How to obtain consent - Correct answer 1. Name
2. Level of training
3. Ask if you may help
4. Explain that you would like to assess them to find out what you think may
be wrong or what you can do to help
5. Explain what you plan to do
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 get practice with their facility's safety
and rescue equipment and EAP, to ensure lifeguards understand codes,
rules, and regulations of the facility
1. EAP
2. Why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand
and practice the EAP? - Correct answer 1. Emergency Action Plan
2. You will learn how staff members work together in a variety of
circumstances, gives teammates a chance to work on different responder
roles together, so everyone knows their responsibilities and can perform
them effectively
In-service training - Correct answer Takes place while you are employed
as a lifeguard and is designed to help you maintain your knowledge and
skills at a professional level. It also gives you a chance to practice with
other lifeguards at your facility and help you efficiently respond as a team in
an emergency
What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training
participation at well-managed aquatic facilities? - Correct answer At least
4 hours of in-service training each month
,Topics that could be discussed during in-service training - Correct answer
Surveillance, recognition, water and land rescue skills, emergency
response drills, decision-making protocols, facility rules and regulations,
customer service, records and reports and physical conditioning
Rescue tubes - Correct answer 45- to 54-inch vinyl, foam-filled tube with
an attached tow line and shoulder strap. Is capable of keeping multiple
victims afloat
Resuscitation Masks - Correct answer Transparent, flexible device that
creates a tight seal over the victim's mouth and nose to allow you to
breathe air into a victim without making mouth to mouth contact. All masks
should have a one-way valve for releasing exhaled air. Some masks also
have an inlet for administering emergency oxygen, and come in different
sizes to ensure a proper fit and tight seal
Gloves - Correct answer Disposable (single-use) gloves are used to
protect employees that may be exposed to blood and other potentially
infectious material (OPIM). Gloves should be made of non-latex materials,
such as nitrate. Gloves should also be powder free.
Whistle - Correct answer Important signaling devices for lifeguards, used
to activate the EAP, and get attention of other members of the safety team
and patrons. Should be loud, made of material that will not rust, and have
breakaway lanyards
Backboard - Correct answer Standard piece of equipment 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. Some have
runners on the bottom that allowed the board to slide easily onto a deck or
pier. Must have straps to secure a victim in cases of head, neck, or spinal
injury, in addition to a device for immobilizing the head
Rescue buoy - Correct answer Rescue can/torpedo buoy, primary piece
of rescue equipment for waterfronts and surf beaches. Made of lightweight,
hard, buoyant plastic and vary in length from 25 to 34 inches. Molded
handgrips along the sides and rear of the buoy allow the victim to keep a
firm hold on the buoy, and are buoyant enough to support multiple victims
, PPE - Correct answer Personal protective equipment- specialized
clothing, equipment, and supplies used to prevent you from coming into
direct contact with a victim's bodily fluids. Gloves, resuscitation masks,
gowns, masks, shields, protective eyewear, and a blood spill kit.
BVM - Correct answer Bag valve mask resuscitator- Hand held device
attached to a resuscitation mask that is used to ventilate a victim in
respiratory arrest or when performing CPR. Appropriate sized BVM should
be used based on the size of the victim, requires two rescuers: one to
maintain a tight seal for the mask and one to squeeze the bag
AED - Correct answer Automated external defibrillator- portable electronic
device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock,
which helps the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. Used in
conjunction for CPR on unconscious victims with no obvious signs of life
Other resuscitation equipment - Correct answer - oxygen cylinders and
delivery devices
- suctioning devices
- airways
Rescue boards - Correct answer Made of plastic or fiberglass and may
include a soft rubber deck. Shaped similarly to a surf board but usually are
larger to accommodate a lifeguard plus one or more victims. Fast, stable,
and easy to use. May be used to quickly paddle out long distances or as a
patrolling device
Ring buoys, reaching poles, and shepherd's crooks - Correct answer Not
typically used by lifeguards to perform professional rescues but for
untrained bystanders
Lightning and thunderstorms - Correct answer - clear everyone from
water
- move everyone to a safe area free from contact with water, plumbing, or
electrical circuits
- keep everyone away from metal and windows
- keep away from tall trees/tall structures
- keep as low to the ground as possible (squat/crouch with the knees drawn
up, both feet together and hands off the ground)
- avoid laying flat on ground
LIFEGUARDING EXAM WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWER 2026\2027 LATEST
UPDATED GRADED A+
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - Correct answer To
prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
Examples of fulfilling primary responsibilities - Correct answer -
Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron surveillance
- Preventing injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous behaviors
- Enforcing facility rules and regulations and educating patrons about them
- Recognizing and responding quickly and effectively to all emergencies
- Administering first aid and CPR, including using an ARD and, of trained,
administering emergency oxygen when needed
- Working as a team with other lifeguards, facility staff, and management
Examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with
patron surveillance - Correct answer - Testing the pool water chemistry
- Assist patrons by performing safety orientations, administering swim tests,
fitting life jackets, and other duties
- Cleaning or performing maintenance
- Completing records and reports
- Performing opening duties, closing duties, or facility safety checks and
inspections
Characteristics of a professional lifeguard - Correct answer -
Knowledgeable and skilled
- Reliable
- Mature
- Courteous and consistent
- Positive
- Professional
- Healthy and fit (exercise, eat/hydrate properly, rest adequately, protect
yourself from sun exposure)
Legal considerations - Correct answer 1. Duty to Act
,2. Standard of Care
3. Negligence
4. Abandonment
5. Confidentiality
6. Documentation
7. Consent
8. Refusal of care
How to obtain consent - Correct answer 1. Name
2. Level of training
3. Ask if you may help
4. Explain that you would like to assess them to find out what you think may
be wrong or what you can do to help
5. Explain what you plan to do
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 get practice with their facility's safety
and rescue equipment and EAP, to ensure lifeguards understand codes,
rules, and regulations of the facility
1. EAP
2. Why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand
and practice the EAP? - Correct answer 1. Emergency Action Plan
2. You will learn how staff members work together in a variety of
circumstances, gives teammates a chance to work on different responder
roles together, so everyone knows their responsibilities and can perform
them effectively
In-service training - Correct answer Takes place while you are employed
as a lifeguard and is designed to help you maintain your knowledge and
skills at a professional level. It also gives you a chance to practice with
other lifeguards at your facility and help you efficiently respond as a team in
an emergency
What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training
participation at well-managed aquatic facilities? - Correct answer At least
4 hours of in-service training each month
,Topics that could be discussed during in-service training - Correct answer
Surveillance, recognition, water and land rescue skills, emergency
response drills, decision-making protocols, facility rules and regulations,
customer service, records and reports and physical conditioning
Rescue tubes - Correct answer 45- to 54-inch vinyl, foam-filled tube with
an attached tow line and shoulder strap. Is capable of keeping multiple
victims afloat
Resuscitation Masks - Correct answer Transparent, flexible device that
creates a tight seal over the victim's mouth and nose to allow you to
breathe air into a victim without making mouth to mouth contact. All masks
should have a one-way valve for releasing exhaled air. Some masks also
have an inlet for administering emergency oxygen, and come in different
sizes to ensure a proper fit and tight seal
Gloves - Correct answer Disposable (single-use) gloves are used to
protect employees that may be exposed to blood and other potentially
infectious material (OPIM). Gloves should be made of non-latex materials,
such as nitrate. Gloves should also be powder free.
Whistle - Correct answer Important signaling devices for lifeguards, used
to activate the EAP, and get attention of other members of the safety team
and patrons. Should be loud, made of material that will not rust, and have
breakaway lanyards
Backboard - Correct answer Standard piece of equipment 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. Some have
runners on the bottom that allowed the board to slide easily onto a deck or
pier. Must have straps to secure a victim in cases of head, neck, or spinal
injury, in addition to a device for immobilizing the head
Rescue buoy - Correct answer Rescue can/torpedo buoy, primary piece
of rescue equipment for waterfronts and surf beaches. Made of lightweight,
hard, buoyant plastic and vary in length from 25 to 34 inches. Molded
handgrips along the sides and rear of the buoy allow the victim to keep a
firm hold on the buoy, and are buoyant enough to support multiple victims
, PPE - Correct answer Personal protective equipment- specialized
clothing, equipment, and supplies used to prevent you from coming into
direct contact with a victim's bodily fluids. Gloves, resuscitation masks,
gowns, masks, shields, protective eyewear, and a blood spill kit.
BVM - Correct answer Bag valve mask resuscitator- Hand held device
attached to a resuscitation mask that is used to ventilate a victim in
respiratory arrest or when performing CPR. Appropriate sized BVM should
be used based on the size of the victim, requires two rescuers: one to
maintain a tight seal for the mask and one to squeeze the bag
AED - Correct answer Automated external defibrillator- portable electronic
device that analyzes the heart's rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock,
which helps the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm. Used in
conjunction for CPR on unconscious victims with no obvious signs of life
Other resuscitation equipment - Correct answer - oxygen cylinders and
delivery devices
- suctioning devices
- airways
Rescue boards - Correct answer Made of plastic or fiberglass and may
include a soft rubber deck. Shaped similarly to a surf board but usually are
larger to accommodate a lifeguard plus one or more victims. Fast, stable,
and easy to use. May be used to quickly paddle out long distances or as a
patrolling device
Ring buoys, reaching poles, and shepherd's crooks - Correct answer Not
typically used by lifeguards to perform professional rescues but for
untrained bystanders
Lightning and thunderstorms - Correct answer - clear everyone from
water
- move everyone to a safe area free from contact with water, plumbing, or
electrical circuits
- keep everyone away from metal and windows
- keep away from tall trees/tall structures
- keep as low to the ground as possible (squat/crouch with the knees drawn
up, both feet together and hands off the ground)
- avoid laying flat on ground
