American Lifeguard Exam
Complete Question and Answer Guide
1.For an infant, where should you position your hands to perform CPR?
ANSWER: One hand on the forehead and two or three fingers on the center of the
chest, just below the nipple line.
2. You see a patron collapse. You size up the scene for safety and check them for
consciousness. When they do not respond, you have someone call 911. What
should you do next?
ANSWER: Check for signs of movement and breathing.
3. Signs and symptoms of respiratory distress include__
ANSWER: Flushed, pale, ashen or bluish skin.
4. The best way to immobilize an ankle injury is with a(n)__
ANSWER: Soft splint.
5. You are called to help a victim who is not moving or breathing and do not have
a pulse. Why should you start CPR right away?
ANSWER: CPR helps circulate blood that contains oxygen to the vital organs.
6. The purpose of the secondary assessment is to__
ANSWER: Identify and care for conditions that are not life threatening.
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7. Lifeguards can help reduce fatigue and help stay alert during their shift by__
ANSWER: Rotating from station to station.
8. You perform rescue breathing for an infant at a rate of 1 rescue breath about
once every__
ANSWER: 3 seconds.
8. An individual starts running on the deck. You blow your whistle to get their
attention. Next, you enforce the rules by __
ANSWER: By telling them they could slip and that they must walk on the deck.
9. Secure the straps on a backboard in the following order:
ANSWER: Upper chest, hips, thighs.
10. Early defibrillation can__
ANSWER: Result in more cardiac arrest victims being saved.
11. For a head, neck or back injury in deep water__
ANSWER: Minimize movement of the victim's head and neck using the head
splint technique.
12. You come on a scene where someone looks like they may be hurt. During the
initial assessment, you should check for all the following EXCEPT__
ANSWER: Swelling.