Red Cross Lifeguarding Practice Questions 2026 |
Questions & Answers PDF
1. Why is it important for lifeguards to communicate the risks of running on the
pool deck to patrons?
To make the pool rules seem more serious.
To prevent accidents and ensure safety.
To encourage patrons to leave the pool area.
To assert authority over the patrons.
2. When performing CPR on an adult, how deep should the rescuer depress the
sternum?
2 inches
.5 inch
1.5 inches
1 inch
3. Why is it important to summon advanced medical personnel when a child
with asthma is experiencing breathing difficulties?
It provides an opportunity for bystanders to assist in the care.
It is a requirement for all lifeguard situations regardless of the
emergency.
Summoning advanced medical personnel ensures that the child
receives appropriate medical care for their condition.
It allows the lifeguard to leave the scene and attend to other duties.
,4. You arrive on scene where an adult seems to be injured. before approaching
the victim, which of the following will you NOT do when sizing up the scene:
begin performing a primary assessment
form an initial impression
use all your senses to determine if the scene is safe
put on appropriate PPE
5. You are performing rescue breathing with a bag-mask device for an apneic
child. How often should you provide rescue breaths?
Twice every 6 seconds
Once every 3 seconds
One every 9 seconds
Once every 6 seconds
6. What is the recommended distance to place AED pads from body jewelry
when applying them to a victim's chest?
In contact with the jewelry.
1 centimeter away from the jewelry.
At least 1 inch away from the jewelry.
Directly over the jewelry.
7. An AED has indicated that a shock should be given. Which of the following
would be appropriate?
Apply new electrode pads to the patient's chest
Cover the electrode pads with a blanket
, Begin chest compressions immediately
Tell everyone to stand clear of the patient
8. What is the maximum time a lifeguard should take to recognize a victim in
their zone?
1 ½ minutes
30 seconds
45 seconds
2 minutes
9. What is the first action a lifeguard should take if a victim is having a seizure in
the water?
Immediately move the victim to shallow water until the seizure ends, if
the victim is in deep water.
Support the victim with their head above water until the seizure
ends.
Secure the victim onto a backboard.
Immediately get them out of the water.
10. If you are a lifeguard and you encounter a scene where multiple individuals
are injured, how would you determine the order of care?
Help the person who is crying first to calm the situation.
Focus on the most visible injuries regardless of consciousness.
Assist the person with a minor injury first to stabilize the scene.
Assess the severity of injuries and prioritize those who are
unconscious or in immediate danger.
, 11. In two-rescuer CPR for an infant, how many ventilations are given after each
set of chest compressions?
2 ventilations
1 ventilation
3 ventilations
4 ventilations
12. Describe the rationale behind starting CPR immediately when a choking
victim becomes unresponsive.
Starting CPR should only be done after checking for a pulse.
Starting CPR is crucial because the victim is unresponsive and not
breathing, which requires immediate action to restore circulation
and oxygenation.
Starting CPR is unnecessary if the victim is choking, as they may
recover on their own.
Starting CPR is only needed if the victim shows signs of severe
distress.
13. Why is it important to obtain consent from a victim before providing care?
Obtaining consent ensures that the victim agrees to receive help
and respects their autonomy.
Obtaining consent is not necessary if the victim is responsive.
Obtaining consent is only needed for serious injuries.
Obtaining consent allows you to skip other assessment steps.
Questions & Answers PDF
1. Why is it important for lifeguards to communicate the risks of running on the
pool deck to patrons?
To make the pool rules seem more serious.
To prevent accidents and ensure safety.
To encourage patrons to leave the pool area.
To assert authority over the patrons.
2. When performing CPR on an adult, how deep should the rescuer depress the
sternum?
2 inches
.5 inch
1.5 inches
1 inch
3. Why is it important to summon advanced medical personnel when a child
with asthma is experiencing breathing difficulties?
It provides an opportunity for bystanders to assist in the care.
It is a requirement for all lifeguard situations regardless of the
emergency.
Summoning advanced medical personnel ensures that the child
receives appropriate medical care for their condition.
It allows the lifeguard to leave the scene and attend to other duties.
,4. You arrive on scene where an adult seems to be injured. before approaching
the victim, which of the following will you NOT do when sizing up the scene:
begin performing a primary assessment
form an initial impression
use all your senses to determine if the scene is safe
put on appropriate PPE
5. You are performing rescue breathing with a bag-mask device for an apneic
child. How often should you provide rescue breaths?
Twice every 6 seconds
Once every 3 seconds
One every 9 seconds
Once every 6 seconds
6. What is the recommended distance to place AED pads from body jewelry
when applying them to a victim's chest?
In contact with the jewelry.
1 centimeter away from the jewelry.
At least 1 inch away from the jewelry.
Directly over the jewelry.
7. An AED has indicated that a shock should be given. Which of the following
would be appropriate?
Apply new electrode pads to the patient's chest
Cover the electrode pads with a blanket
, Begin chest compressions immediately
Tell everyone to stand clear of the patient
8. What is the maximum time a lifeguard should take to recognize a victim in
their zone?
1 ½ minutes
30 seconds
45 seconds
2 minutes
9. What is the first action a lifeguard should take if a victim is having a seizure in
the water?
Immediately move the victim to shallow water until the seizure ends, if
the victim is in deep water.
Support the victim with their head above water until the seizure
ends.
Secure the victim onto a backboard.
Immediately get them out of the water.
10. If you are a lifeguard and you encounter a scene where multiple individuals
are injured, how would you determine the order of care?
Help the person who is crying first to calm the situation.
Focus on the most visible injuries regardless of consciousness.
Assist the person with a minor injury first to stabilize the scene.
Assess the severity of injuries and prioritize those who are
unconscious or in immediate danger.
, 11. In two-rescuer CPR for an infant, how many ventilations are given after each
set of chest compressions?
2 ventilations
1 ventilation
3 ventilations
4 ventilations
12. Describe the rationale behind starting CPR immediately when a choking
victim becomes unresponsive.
Starting CPR should only be done after checking for a pulse.
Starting CPR is crucial because the victim is unresponsive and not
breathing, which requires immediate action to restore circulation
and oxygenation.
Starting CPR is unnecessary if the victim is choking, as they may
recover on their own.
Starting CPR is only needed if the victim shows signs of severe
distress.
13. Why is it important to obtain consent from a victim before providing care?
Obtaining consent ensures that the victim agrees to receive help
and respects their autonomy.
Obtaining consent is not necessary if the victim is responsive.
Obtaining consent is only needed for serious injuries.
Obtaining consent allows you to skip other assessment steps.
