Lifeguard Test – Red Cross 75+ (Latest 2025–2026
Edition) | 100% Verified Questions & Answers |
Updated & Graded A+
The Red Cross Lifeguard Test 2025–2026 Edition provides over 75 verified questions
and answers covering the latest American Red Cross standards for lifeguarding, rescue
procedures, CPR/AED use, first aid, and water safety. This comprehensive resource is designed
to prepare lifeguard candidates for real certification testing with confidence and competence.
Introduction
This newest 2025–2026 update aligns with the Red Cross Lifeguarding Program and
includes the most current protocols in drowning prevention, surveillance, victim
recognition, emergency response, spinal injury management, and rescue
techniques. Each question reflects actual testing standards to ensure readiness for the
certification exam. Verified by experts, all content is graded A+ for accuracy and reliability.
Answer Format
All correct answers are indicated in bold and green, with brief rationales that reinforce
essential lifesaving principles, strengthen emergency response knowledge, and promote
confidence in performing lifeguard duties safely and effectively. This verified Q&A guide is
a 100% accurate, exam-ready resource for lifeguard certification success.
Questions 1–75
1. What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard?
a) Cleaning the pool area
b) Preventing accidents and responding to emergencies
c) Teaching swimming lessons
d) Maintaining pool equipment
b) Preventing accidents and responding to emergencies
Rationale: The primary role of a lifeguard is to supervise swimmers, prevent drowning
incidents, and perform rescues when necessary, ensuring patron safety.
2. When performing a rescue, what is the first step in the emergency action
plan?
a) Call 911
b) Activate the emergency action plan
c) Perform CPR
d) Retrieve the AED
b) Activate the emergency action plan
,Rationale: Activating the emergency action plan signals the team to respond, ensuring
coordinated efforts in an emergency.
3. What is the recommended ratio for CPR on an adult?
a) 15 compressions to 2 breaths
b) 30 compressions to 2 breaths
c) 5 compressions to 1 breath
d) 20 compressions to 1 breath
b) 30 compressions to 2 breaths
Rationale: The American Red Cross recommends 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adult CPR,
at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
4. In which situation should a lifeguard use the "reach and throw" rescue
technique?
a) For a submerged victim
b) For a conscious victim within arm's reach
c) For a spinal injury in shallow water
d) For an unconscious victim in deep water
b) For a conscious victim within arm's reach
Rationale: The reach and throw technique is used for conscious victims close to safety,
minimizing risk to the lifeguard.
5. What is the depth of compressions during adult CPR?
a) 1 to 1.5 inches
b) 2 to 2.4 inches
c) 3 to 4 inches
d) 4 to 5 inches
b) 2 to 2.4 inches
Rationale: Compressions should be 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm) deep for adults to ensure effective
circulation.
6. When should a lifeguard use a backboard for rescue?
a) For all rescues
b) For victims suspected of spinal injury
c) For conscious victims only
d) For shallow water rescues only
b) For victims suspected of spinal injury
Rationale: A backboard is used to immobilize the spine in suspected spinal injury cases to
prevent further damage.
7. What is the correct sequence for using an AED?
a) Turn on AED, attach pads, analyze rhythm, shock if advised
b) Analyze rhythm, attach pads, turn on AED, shock if advised
c) Attach pads, shock if advised, turn on AED, analyze rhythm
d) Shock if advised, turn on AED, analyze rhythm, attach pads
a) Turn on AED, attach pads, analyze rhythm, shock if advised
, Rationale: The AED sequence is turn on, attach pads, analyze, and shock if advised, ensuring
quick and safe use.
8. How should a lifeguard position a victim for head-tilt/chin-lift?
a) Only if no spinal injury is suspected
b) Always, regardless of injury
c) Never, use jaw thrust instead
d) Only for unconscious victims
a) Only if no spinal injury is suspected
Rationale: Head-tilt/chin-lift opens the airway but is avoided in suspected spinal injuries to
prevent further damage; jaw thrust is used instead.
9. What is the recommended rate for adult CPR compressions?
a) 50-60 per minute
b) 80-100 per minute
c) 100-120 per minute
d) 140-160 per minute
c) 100-120 per minute
Rationale: Compressions should be at 100-120 per minute, matching the beat of "Stayin' Alive"
for effective CPR.
10. When performing a water rescue, what is the first step?
a) Enter the water
b) Signal for backup
c) Reach or throw a rescue tube
d) Swim to the victim
c) Reach or throw a rescue tube
Rationale: Reach or throw is the safest first step for water rescues, keeping the lifeguard out of
danger.
11. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer
CPR on an adult?
a) 30:2
b) 15:2
c) 5:1
d) 3:1
a) 30:2
Rationale: The ratio for two-rescuer CPR is 30 compressions to 2 ventilations for adults.
12. For a suspected spinal injury in the water, what technique should the
lifeguard use?
a) Head-tilt/chin-lift
b) Jaw thrust
c) Recovery position
d) H.A.I.N.E.S position
b) Jaw thrust
Edition) | 100% Verified Questions & Answers |
Updated & Graded A+
The Red Cross Lifeguard Test 2025–2026 Edition provides over 75 verified questions
and answers covering the latest American Red Cross standards for lifeguarding, rescue
procedures, CPR/AED use, first aid, and water safety. This comprehensive resource is designed
to prepare lifeguard candidates for real certification testing with confidence and competence.
Introduction
This newest 2025–2026 update aligns with the Red Cross Lifeguarding Program and
includes the most current protocols in drowning prevention, surveillance, victim
recognition, emergency response, spinal injury management, and rescue
techniques. Each question reflects actual testing standards to ensure readiness for the
certification exam. Verified by experts, all content is graded A+ for accuracy and reliability.
Answer Format
All correct answers are indicated in bold and green, with brief rationales that reinforce
essential lifesaving principles, strengthen emergency response knowledge, and promote
confidence in performing lifeguard duties safely and effectively. This verified Q&A guide is
a 100% accurate, exam-ready resource for lifeguard certification success.
Questions 1–75
1. What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard?
a) Cleaning the pool area
b) Preventing accidents and responding to emergencies
c) Teaching swimming lessons
d) Maintaining pool equipment
b) Preventing accidents and responding to emergencies
Rationale: The primary role of a lifeguard is to supervise swimmers, prevent drowning
incidents, and perform rescues when necessary, ensuring patron safety.
2. When performing a rescue, what is the first step in the emergency action
plan?
a) Call 911
b) Activate the emergency action plan
c) Perform CPR
d) Retrieve the AED
b) Activate the emergency action plan
,Rationale: Activating the emergency action plan signals the team to respond, ensuring
coordinated efforts in an emergency.
3. What is the recommended ratio for CPR on an adult?
a) 15 compressions to 2 breaths
b) 30 compressions to 2 breaths
c) 5 compressions to 1 breath
d) 20 compressions to 1 breath
b) 30 compressions to 2 breaths
Rationale: The American Red Cross recommends 30 compressions to 2 breaths for adult CPR,
at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
4. In which situation should a lifeguard use the "reach and throw" rescue
technique?
a) For a submerged victim
b) For a conscious victim within arm's reach
c) For a spinal injury in shallow water
d) For an unconscious victim in deep water
b) For a conscious victim within arm's reach
Rationale: The reach and throw technique is used for conscious victims close to safety,
minimizing risk to the lifeguard.
5. What is the depth of compressions during adult CPR?
a) 1 to 1.5 inches
b) 2 to 2.4 inches
c) 3 to 4 inches
d) 4 to 5 inches
b) 2 to 2.4 inches
Rationale: Compressions should be 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm) deep for adults to ensure effective
circulation.
6. When should a lifeguard use a backboard for rescue?
a) For all rescues
b) For victims suspected of spinal injury
c) For conscious victims only
d) For shallow water rescues only
b) For victims suspected of spinal injury
Rationale: A backboard is used to immobilize the spine in suspected spinal injury cases to
prevent further damage.
7. What is the correct sequence for using an AED?
a) Turn on AED, attach pads, analyze rhythm, shock if advised
b) Analyze rhythm, attach pads, turn on AED, shock if advised
c) Attach pads, shock if advised, turn on AED, analyze rhythm
d) Shock if advised, turn on AED, analyze rhythm, attach pads
a) Turn on AED, attach pads, analyze rhythm, shock if advised
, Rationale: The AED sequence is turn on, attach pads, analyze, and shock if advised, ensuring
quick and safe use.
8. How should a lifeguard position a victim for head-tilt/chin-lift?
a) Only if no spinal injury is suspected
b) Always, regardless of injury
c) Never, use jaw thrust instead
d) Only for unconscious victims
a) Only if no spinal injury is suspected
Rationale: Head-tilt/chin-lift opens the airway but is avoided in suspected spinal injuries to
prevent further damage; jaw thrust is used instead.
9. What is the recommended rate for adult CPR compressions?
a) 50-60 per minute
b) 80-100 per minute
c) 100-120 per minute
d) 140-160 per minute
c) 100-120 per minute
Rationale: Compressions should be at 100-120 per minute, matching the beat of "Stayin' Alive"
for effective CPR.
10. When performing a water rescue, what is the first step?
a) Enter the water
b) Signal for backup
c) Reach or throw a rescue tube
d) Swim to the victim
c) Reach or throw a rescue tube
Rationale: Reach or throw is the safest first step for water rescues, keeping the lifeguard out of
danger.
11. What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for two-rescuer
CPR on an adult?
a) 30:2
b) 15:2
c) 5:1
d) 3:1
a) 30:2
Rationale: The ratio for two-rescuer CPR is 30 compressions to 2 ventilations for adults.
12. For a suspected spinal injury in the water, what technique should the
lifeguard use?
a) Head-tilt/chin-lift
b) Jaw thrust
c) Recovery position
d) H.A.I.N.E.S position
b) Jaw thrust
