Red Cross Lifeguarding Exam Complete Review 2026 | High-
Yield Content
1. In a scenario where a swimmer is rescued after colliding with a wall and is
unconscious but breathing, what steps should the lifeguard take regarding
spinal motion restriction?
The lifeguard should use spinal motion restriction to stabilize the
swimmer before removing them from the water.
The lifeguard should immediately perform CPR without spinal motion
restriction.
The lifeguard should wait for emergency services to arrive before
taking any action.
The lifeguard should remove the swimmer quickly without any
precautions.
2. What is the appropriate ventilatory rate to deliver bag-valve-mask
ventilations to an infant who is in respiratory arrest?
40 ventilations per minute
12 ventilations per minute
20 ventilations per minute
30 ventilations per minute
3. What immediate action should a lifeguard take when they hear thunder in the
distance?
Clear patrons from the water
Monitor weather reports to watch for storms
Count the seconds between claps of thunder
, Allow patrons to remain in the water until lightning is sighted
4. In a scenario where a lifeguard is performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult
victim, what should the second rescuer do if they notice the first rescuer is
becoming fatigued?
Continue with the same compressions without changing the ratio.
Stop compressions and check for a pulse.
Take over chest compressions while maintaining the 30:2 ratio.
Switch to one-rescuer CPR immediately.
5. Describe the significance of proper AED pad placement in the context of
cardiac arrest treatment.
Proper AED pad placement ensures effective delivery of electric
shocks to restore normal heart rhythm.
Proper AED pad placement is only necessary for children, not adults.
Proper AED pad placement can be done randomly without affecting
the outcome.
Proper AED pad placement is not critical for the effectiveness of CPR.
6. What is the recommended rate of ventilations for an infant in respiratory
arrest according to lifeguard procedures?
1 ventilation every 6 seconds
1 ventilation every 2 to 3 seconds
1 ventilation every 10 seconds
2 ventilations every 2 to 3 seconds
,7. If a lifeguard notices a patron exhibiting signs of hyperventilation, what
should they do to ensure safety?
The lifeguard should call for backup and wait for assistance.
The lifeguard should ignore the behavior unless the patron is in
immediate distress.
The lifeguard should remove the patron from the water immediately.
The lifeguard should approach the patron and explain the dangers
of hyperventilation while encouraging them to calm down.
8. If a lifeguard is observed wearing their uniform incorrectly while on duty,
what potential impact could this have on their effectiveness in surveillance?
It could improve their communication with patrons.
It may undermine their authority and reduce patrons' perception of
safety.
It will have no impact on their effectiveness.
It may enhance their visibility in the water.
9. Why is it important for lifeguards to remain vigilant even when monitoring
experienced swimmers, such as those on a swim team?
Swim teams are always supervised by coaches, so lifeguards can relax
their focus.
Lifeguards should only intervene if they see obvious signs of distress.
Competitive swimmers are trained to avoid emergencies, so lifeguards
can focus on other areas.
Even experienced swimmers can face medical emergencies or
drowning situations, requiring constant vigilance from lifeguards.
, 10. How often should a lifeguard complete a scan of their entire zone?
Every 15 seconds
Every 45 seconds
Every 30 seconds
Every 90 seconds
11. Describe the circumstances under which a lifeguard should prioritize spinal
motion restriction during a rescue.
A lifeguard should apply spinal motion restriction in all rescue
scenarios.
A lifeguard should use spinal motion restriction whenever a person is
unconscious.
A lifeguard should prioritize spinal motion restriction when there is
a potential spinal injury, such as a head-first collision.
A lifeguard should only use spinal motion restriction if the person is
not breathing.
12. What is the first step a lifeguard should take when dealing with a dry
chemical burn?
Flush the hand with warm water for no longer than 5 minutes
Cover the burn until EMS arrives
Brush the chemical away with another object
Apply a freezing compress to the burn
Yield Content
1. In a scenario where a swimmer is rescued after colliding with a wall and is
unconscious but breathing, what steps should the lifeguard take regarding
spinal motion restriction?
The lifeguard should use spinal motion restriction to stabilize the
swimmer before removing them from the water.
The lifeguard should immediately perform CPR without spinal motion
restriction.
The lifeguard should wait for emergency services to arrive before
taking any action.
The lifeguard should remove the swimmer quickly without any
precautions.
2. What is the appropriate ventilatory rate to deliver bag-valve-mask
ventilations to an infant who is in respiratory arrest?
40 ventilations per minute
12 ventilations per minute
20 ventilations per minute
30 ventilations per minute
3. What immediate action should a lifeguard take when they hear thunder in the
distance?
Clear patrons from the water
Monitor weather reports to watch for storms
Count the seconds between claps of thunder
, Allow patrons to remain in the water until lightning is sighted
4. In a scenario where a lifeguard is performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult
victim, what should the second rescuer do if they notice the first rescuer is
becoming fatigued?
Continue with the same compressions without changing the ratio.
Stop compressions and check for a pulse.
Take over chest compressions while maintaining the 30:2 ratio.
Switch to one-rescuer CPR immediately.
5. Describe the significance of proper AED pad placement in the context of
cardiac arrest treatment.
Proper AED pad placement ensures effective delivery of electric
shocks to restore normal heart rhythm.
Proper AED pad placement is only necessary for children, not adults.
Proper AED pad placement can be done randomly without affecting
the outcome.
Proper AED pad placement is not critical for the effectiveness of CPR.
6. What is the recommended rate of ventilations for an infant in respiratory
arrest according to lifeguard procedures?
1 ventilation every 6 seconds
1 ventilation every 2 to 3 seconds
1 ventilation every 10 seconds
2 ventilations every 2 to 3 seconds
,7. If a lifeguard notices a patron exhibiting signs of hyperventilation, what
should they do to ensure safety?
The lifeguard should call for backup and wait for assistance.
The lifeguard should ignore the behavior unless the patron is in
immediate distress.
The lifeguard should remove the patron from the water immediately.
The lifeguard should approach the patron and explain the dangers
of hyperventilation while encouraging them to calm down.
8. If a lifeguard is observed wearing their uniform incorrectly while on duty,
what potential impact could this have on their effectiveness in surveillance?
It could improve their communication with patrons.
It may undermine their authority and reduce patrons' perception of
safety.
It will have no impact on their effectiveness.
It may enhance their visibility in the water.
9. Why is it important for lifeguards to remain vigilant even when monitoring
experienced swimmers, such as those on a swim team?
Swim teams are always supervised by coaches, so lifeguards can relax
their focus.
Lifeguards should only intervene if they see obvious signs of distress.
Competitive swimmers are trained to avoid emergencies, so lifeguards
can focus on other areas.
Even experienced swimmers can face medical emergencies or
drowning situations, requiring constant vigilance from lifeguards.
, 10. How often should a lifeguard complete a scan of their entire zone?
Every 15 seconds
Every 45 seconds
Every 30 seconds
Every 90 seconds
11. Describe the circumstances under which a lifeguard should prioritize spinal
motion restriction during a rescue.
A lifeguard should apply spinal motion restriction in all rescue
scenarios.
A lifeguard should use spinal motion restriction whenever a person is
unconscious.
A lifeguard should prioritize spinal motion restriction when there is
a potential spinal injury, such as a head-first collision.
A lifeguard should only use spinal motion restriction if the person is
not breathing.
12. What is the first step a lifeguard should take when dealing with a dry
chemical burn?
Flush the hand with warm water for no longer than 5 minutes
Cover the burn until EMS arrives
Brush the chemical away with another object
Apply a freezing compress to the burn
