BSA Lifeguard Knowledge Test-Version A
Questions with Verified Solutions
1. What are the proper actions for the lifeguard to take after the emergency action plan has
been activated for someone who appears to be having a cardiac arrest in the water? a. Move
the victim to the side of the pool and stabilize the vital signs. b. Remove the victim from the
water and prepare to begin CPR/AED. c. Remove the victim from the water and wait for
advanced life support. d. Remove the victim from the water and wait for the director's
instructions. ✔️✔️b. Remove the victim from the water and prepare to begin CPR/AED
2. What is the maximum depth for the Beginner area? a. Chest-deep b. Standing depth c.
Shoulder depth d. Just over the head ✔️✔️d. Just over the head
3. During the swim test, what should Scouts who declare themselves to be Non-Swimmers do?
a. Be encouraged to suit up and join in the testing. b. Be given a chance to play and splash in
the water. c. Get acquainted with the instructor for Non-Swimmers. d. All of the above.
✔️✔️d. All of the above
4. What is the distance required for the Swimmer swim classification? a. 50 feet b. 50 yards c.
100 feet d. 100 yards ✔️✔️d. 100 yards
5. What does the color red on the upper half circle of the buddy tag indicate? a. Adult leader b.
Beginner c. Swimmer d. Non-Swimmer ✔️✔️b. Beginner
6. Under Safe Swim Defense, what is the minimum guard-to-swimmer ratio for a recreational
swim? a. One guard for every 5 Cub Scout participants b. One guard for every 10 participants c.
One guard for every 20 participants d. a and b ✔️✔️b. One guard for every 10 participants
, 7. You have entered the water and are approaching a victim who is floating upright at the
surface in 4 ft of water. The victim is facing you and appears to be unconscious. What rescue
technique would be appropriate in this situation? ✔️✔️Passive victim front rescue
8. When caring for a suspected head, neck or spinal injury in water, proper manual in-line
stabilization is... ✔️✔️Provided using the head splint technique
9. What is the maximum height for diving allowed by the BSA aquatics policy? a. 18 inches b. 40
inches c. 48 inches d. 60 inches ✔️✔️b. 40 inches
10. What type of entry should be used when entering the water from an elevated guard chair
(greater than 3 feet)? a. Compact jump b. Run-and-swim c. Slide-in entry d. Stride jump
✔️✔️a. Compact jump
11. When should an injured subject on land be moved? a. When there are other people to
assist b. When you need to treat severe bleeding c. When they are in danger where they are d.
All of the above ✔️✔️c. When they are in danger where they are
12. You are a lifeguard on surveillance duty during a busy free swim at a Alpine Cub Scout
camp. You should.... ✔️✔️a. Scan all areas in your assigned zone of coverage, wear your hip
pack and carry your rescue tube with you at all times
13. After removing a responsive victim with a suspected spinal injury from the water, you
should do all of the following except: ✔️✔️b. Loosen the chest strap and apply the pads of an
AED
34. Which of the following skills would you use with a face-down victim of a suspected spinal
injury in waist- to chest-deep water? a. Head splint b. Head chin support c. Hip and shoulder
support d. Either a or b ✔️✔️d. Either a or b
Questions with Verified Solutions
1. What are the proper actions for the lifeguard to take after the emergency action plan has
been activated for someone who appears to be having a cardiac arrest in the water? a. Move
the victim to the side of the pool and stabilize the vital signs. b. Remove the victim from the
water and prepare to begin CPR/AED. c. Remove the victim from the water and wait for
advanced life support. d. Remove the victim from the water and wait for the director's
instructions. ✔️✔️b. Remove the victim from the water and prepare to begin CPR/AED
2. What is the maximum depth for the Beginner area? a. Chest-deep b. Standing depth c.
Shoulder depth d. Just over the head ✔️✔️d. Just over the head
3. During the swim test, what should Scouts who declare themselves to be Non-Swimmers do?
a. Be encouraged to suit up and join in the testing. b. Be given a chance to play and splash in
the water. c. Get acquainted with the instructor for Non-Swimmers. d. All of the above.
✔️✔️d. All of the above
4. What is the distance required for the Swimmer swim classification? a. 50 feet b. 50 yards c.
100 feet d. 100 yards ✔️✔️d. 100 yards
5. What does the color red on the upper half circle of the buddy tag indicate? a. Adult leader b.
Beginner c. Swimmer d. Non-Swimmer ✔️✔️b. Beginner
6. Under Safe Swim Defense, what is the minimum guard-to-swimmer ratio for a recreational
swim? a. One guard for every 5 Cub Scout participants b. One guard for every 10 participants c.
One guard for every 20 participants d. a and b ✔️✔️b. One guard for every 10 participants
, 7. You have entered the water and are approaching a victim who is floating upright at the
surface in 4 ft of water. The victim is facing you and appears to be unconscious. What rescue
technique would be appropriate in this situation? ✔️✔️Passive victim front rescue
8. When caring for a suspected head, neck or spinal injury in water, proper manual in-line
stabilization is... ✔️✔️Provided using the head splint technique
9. What is the maximum height for diving allowed by the BSA aquatics policy? a. 18 inches b. 40
inches c. 48 inches d. 60 inches ✔️✔️b. 40 inches
10. What type of entry should be used when entering the water from an elevated guard chair
(greater than 3 feet)? a. Compact jump b. Run-and-swim c. Slide-in entry d. Stride jump
✔️✔️a. Compact jump
11. When should an injured subject on land be moved? a. When there are other people to
assist b. When you need to treat severe bleeding c. When they are in danger where they are d.
All of the above ✔️✔️c. When they are in danger where they are
12. You are a lifeguard on surveillance duty during a busy free swim at a Alpine Cub Scout
camp. You should.... ✔️✔️a. Scan all areas in your assigned zone of coverage, wear your hip
pack and carry your rescue tube with you at all times
13. After removing a responsive victim with a suspected spinal injury from the water, you
should do all of the following except: ✔️✔️b. Loosen the chest strap and apply the pads of an
AED
34. Which of the following skills would you use with a face-down victim of a suspected spinal
injury in waist- to chest-deep water? a. Head splint b. Head chin support c. Hip and shoulder
support d. Either a or b ✔️✔️d. Either a or b
