Red Cross Lifeguarding Test
Questions With Correct Answers
\.What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - Answer- To prevent drowning and other
injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility.
\.Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility. - Answer- 1)
Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron surveillance.
2) Preventing injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors.
3) Enforcing facility rules and regulations and educating patrons about them.
4) Recognizing and responding quickly and effectively to all emergencies.
5) Administering first aid and CPR, including using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
and, if trained, administering emergency oxygen when needed.
6) Working as a team with other lifeguards, facility staff, and management.
\.List five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with patron
surveillance. - Answer- 1) Testing pool water chemistry.
2) Assisting patrons, such as performing safety orientations, administering swim tests and fitting
for life jackets.
3) Cleaning or performing maintenance.
4) Completing records and reports.
5) Performing opening duties, closing duties or facility safety checks and inspections.
\.List five characteristics of a professional lifeguard. - Answer- 1) Knowledgeable and Skilled
2) Reliable
3) Mature
,4) Courteous and Consistent
5) Positive
6) Professional
7) Healthy and Fit
\.Lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty - Answer- C-always be attentive and sit or
stand upright while on duty
\.A lifeguard is texting while on duty and fails to recognize a swimmer in distress. What legal
principle could be a problem for this lifeguard? - Answer- 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. - Answer- 1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can 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
\.What is the validity period of an American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification? How does an
American Red Cross certified lifeguard get recertified? - Answer- The American Red Cross
Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED Certification is valid for 2 years. Additional training may be
required to meet state and local regulations or facility-specific policies.
,1) To re-certify, American Red Cross certified Lifeguards with a current certification may
participate in a review course. 2) Individuals with an expired American Red Cross
Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification may participate in the full Lifeguarding course.
\.Why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety and rescue equipment and
EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the facility
d. all of the above - Answer- D-all of the above
\.What does EAP stand for? - Answer- Emergency Action Plan
\.Why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and practice the
EAP? - Answer- Answers include:
2) Lifeguards and other staff members must practice the facility's EAPs together until everyone
knows their responsibilities and can perform them effectively.
2) Conditions can change throughout the day, so the EAP may need to be adapted to particular
situations (e.g., number of lifeguards on duty, availability of other safety team members on
duty, types of activities occurring, etc.).
\.What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at well-managed
aquatic facilities? - Answer- at least 4 hours of in-service training each month
\.What are the benefits of regular, frequent in-service training? - Answer- Answer should
include:
1) Helps lifeguards maintain knowledge and skills as a professional rescuer.
2) Skills degrade quickly and regular practice and feedback keeps skills fresh.
, 3) Gives lifeguards a chance to practice with lifeguards at their facility.
4) Helps lifeguards work with the safety team to efficiently respond in an emergency.
\.List four topics that could be discussed during in-service training. - Answer- Answers should
include four of the following:
1) Address surveillance and recognition issues.
2) Practice rescue skills.
3) Understand and practice decision-making protocols.
4) Review facility rules and regulations.
5) Review facility protocols including records and reports.
6) Practice customer service skills.
7) Physical conditioning for lifeguards.
\.What does FIND stand for? - Answer- F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
\.What items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard? - Answer- -
gloves
- gowns
- protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
\.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. - Answer-
Responses should include:
Questions With Correct Answers
\.What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard? - Answer- To prevent drowning and other
injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility.
\.Provide three examples of how lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility. - Answer- 1)
Monitoring activities in and near the water through patron surveillance.
2) Preventing injuries by minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors.
3) Enforcing facility rules and regulations and educating patrons about them.
4) Recognizing and responding quickly and effectively to all emergencies.
5) Administering first aid and CPR, including using an automated external defibrillator (AED)
and, if trained, administering emergency oxygen when needed.
6) Working as a team with other lifeguards, facility staff, and management.
\.List five examples of secondary responsibilities that should never interfere with patron
surveillance. - Answer- 1) Testing pool water chemistry.
2) Assisting patrons, such as performing safety orientations, administering swim tests and fitting
for life jackets.
3) Cleaning or performing maintenance.
4) Completing records and reports.
5) Performing opening duties, closing duties or facility safety checks and inspections.
\.List five characteristics of a professional lifeguard. - Answer- 1) Knowledgeable and Skilled
2) Reliable
3) Mature
,4) Courteous and Consistent
5) Positive
6) Professional
7) Healthy and Fit
\.Lifeguards should:
a. keep a cell phone in their hip packs at all times, in case of an emergency
b. stay alert by eating at the lifeguard stand
c. always be attentive and sit or stand upright while on duty
d. assist patrons with swim testing when on duty - Answer- C-always be attentive and sit or
stand upright while on duty
\.A lifeguard is texting while on duty and fails to recognize a swimmer in distress. What legal
principle could be a problem for this lifeguard? - Answer- 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. - Answer- 1. state your name
2. state your level of training
3. ask if you can 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
\.What is the validity period of an American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification? How does an
American Red Cross certified lifeguard get recertified? - Answer- The American Red Cross
Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED Certification is valid for 2 years. Additional training may be
required to meet state and local regulations or facility-specific policies.
,1) To re-certify, American Red Cross certified Lifeguards with a current certification may
participate in a review course. 2) Individuals with an expired American Red Cross
Lifeguarding/First Aid/CPR/AED certification may participate in the full Lifeguarding course.
\.Why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training?
a. to ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to perform their job
b. to ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety and rescue equipment and
EAP
c. to ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the facility
d. all of the above - Answer- D-all of the above
\.What does EAP stand for? - Answer- Emergency Action Plan
\.Why is it important for lifeguards and other team members to understand and practice the
EAP? - Answer- Answers include:
2) Lifeguards and other staff members must practice the facility's EAPs together until everyone
knows their responsibilities and can perform them effectively.
2) Conditions can change throughout the day, so the EAP may need to be adapted to particular
situations (e.g., number of lifeguards on duty, availability of other safety team members on
duty, types of activities occurring, etc.).
\.What is the best practice for the frequency of in-service training participation at well-managed
aquatic facilities? - Answer- at least 4 hours of in-service training each month
\.What are the benefits of regular, frequent in-service training? - Answer- Answer should
include:
1) Helps lifeguards maintain knowledge and skills as a professional rescuer.
2) Skills degrade quickly and regular practice and feedback keeps skills fresh.
, 3) Gives lifeguards a chance to practice with lifeguards at their facility.
4) Helps lifeguards work with the safety team to efficiently respond in an emergency.
\.List four topics that could be discussed during in-service training. - Answer- Answers should
include four of the following:
1) Address surveillance and recognition issues.
2) Practice rescue skills.
3) Understand and practice decision-making protocols.
4) Review facility rules and regulations.
5) Review facility protocols including records and reports.
6) Practice customer service skills.
7) Physical conditioning for lifeguards.
\.What does FIND stand for? - Answer- F - figure out the problem
I - identify possible solutions
N - name the pros + cons for each solution
D - decide which solution is best than act on it
\.What items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard? - Answer- -
gloves
- gowns
- protective eyewear
- resuscitation mask
\.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. - Answer-
Responses should include:
