LIFEGUARDING CHAPTER 4 REVIEW
List the three major strategies a lifeguard can use to help prevent injuries at an
aquatic facility. - Answers :■ Communicating with patrons
■ Informing and educating patrons
■ Enforcing rules
List three things that can help determine if a life jacket is appropriate for use. - Answers
:■ The life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard Approved.
■ The life jacket is in good condition; no rips, tears, holes or shrinkage of the buoyant
materials.
■ The life jacket is appropriately sized for the patron; life jackets are sized by weight.
Check the U.S. Coast Guard label to be sure the fit is matched to the weight range of
the patron.
■ The life jacket is properly worn. A properly fitted life jacket should feel snug, keep the
person's chin above the water and allow the person to breathe easily. The life jacket
should not ride up on the patron's body in the water. Completely secure any straps,
buckles or ties associated with the life jacket.
■ The patron(s) are properly using the life jacket. Correct any improper wearing or use
of life jackets. Do not allow patrons to wear multiple life jackets or stack multiple life
jackets on top of each other to be used as floats.
Many facilities have unique challenges that demand different kinds of surveillance.
For each situation listed below, list two guidelines you should keep in mind when
providing surveillance for patrons. - Answers :Guarding areas for young children:
■ Older children might be too large for some structures, or their play might be too
rough for young children.
■ Toddlers who are still learning to walk may fall easily. If they fall down in water, they
usually cannot lift themselves to an upright position, even if the water is ankle or
knee deep.
■ Children often get lost. Remind adults to supervise their children at all times.
■ You must watch out for young children using the pool as a toilet. The facility should
have procedures for preventing and addressing the situation, including handling
fecal incidents, which follow local health department guidelines.
■ Children usually do not think about overexposure to the sun or hypothermia. If a
child is becoming sunburned or overly cold, immediately inform the child's parent or
guardian.
Play structures:
■ Do not let a play structure become overcrowded. Be prepared to restrict the
number of patrons using it at one time.
■ Do not allow patrons to swim underneath structures.
■ Watch that patrons return to the surface after dropping into the water from a
floating feature. Swimmers can be surprised by the fall or become disoriented,
List the three major strategies a lifeguard can use to help prevent injuries at an
aquatic facility. - Answers :■ Communicating with patrons
■ Informing and educating patrons
■ Enforcing rules
List three things that can help determine if a life jacket is appropriate for use. - Answers
:■ The life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard Approved.
■ The life jacket is in good condition; no rips, tears, holes or shrinkage of the buoyant
materials.
■ The life jacket is appropriately sized for the patron; life jackets are sized by weight.
Check the U.S. Coast Guard label to be sure the fit is matched to the weight range of
the patron.
■ The life jacket is properly worn. A properly fitted life jacket should feel snug, keep the
person's chin above the water and allow the person to breathe easily. The life jacket
should not ride up on the patron's body in the water. Completely secure any straps,
buckles or ties associated with the life jacket.
■ The patron(s) are properly using the life jacket. Correct any improper wearing or use
of life jackets. Do not allow patrons to wear multiple life jackets or stack multiple life
jackets on top of each other to be used as floats.
Many facilities have unique challenges that demand different kinds of surveillance.
For each situation listed below, list two guidelines you should keep in mind when
providing surveillance for patrons. - Answers :Guarding areas for young children:
■ Older children might be too large for some structures, or their play might be too
rough for young children.
■ Toddlers who are still learning to walk may fall easily. If they fall down in water, they
usually cannot lift themselves to an upright position, even if the water is ankle or
knee deep.
■ Children often get lost. Remind adults to supervise their children at all times.
■ You must watch out for young children using the pool as a toilet. The facility should
have procedures for preventing and addressing the situation, including handling
fecal incidents, which follow local health department guidelines.
■ Children usually do not think about overexposure to the sun or hypothermia. If a
child is becoming sunburned or overly cold, immediately inform the child's parent or
guardian.
Play structures:
■ Do not let a play structure become overcrowded. Be prepared to restrict the
number of patrons using it at one time.
■ Do not allow patrons to swim underneath structures.
■ Watch that patrons return to the surface after dropping into the water from a
floating feature. Swimmers can be surprised by the fall or become disoriented,
