LIFEGUARD RED CROSS EXAM (2025/2026)
Actual Exam with Complete Questions and Answers | American Red Cross Certification |
Lifeguard Training
Overview
This 2025/2026 validated resource contains the complete American Red Cross
Lifeguard exam with actual questions and verified answers, directly aligned with
current Red Cross training standards. Essential for lifeguard candidates preparing for
certification and demonstrating competency in water safety, rescue techniques, and
emergency response protocols.
Key Features
✓ 75-Question Comprehensive Exam matching Red Cross format
✓ Water Rescue Techniques with scenario applications
✓ CPR/AED & First Aid Protocols with current guidelines
✓ Updated 2025/2026 Red Cross training standards
✓ Emergency Action Plans with facility-specific applications
Content Domains
• Surveillance & Recognition (18 Questions)
• Water Rescue Skills (16 Questions)
• CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (15 Questions)
• First Aid & Emergency Care (14 Questions)
• Legal & Professional Responsibilities (12 Questions)
Answer Format
Verified correct answers in bold green with:
• Red Cross guideline citations
• Rescue technique rationales
• Emergency procedure justifications
• Safety protocol applications
Critical Updates 2025/2026
NEW - Updated CPR compression ratios
UPDATED - Passive victim rescue protocols
REVISED - AED usage guidelines
MODIFIED - Spinal injury management in water
SURVEILLANCE & RECOGNITION (Questions 1–18)
1. The primary responsibility of a lifeguard is to:
a) Enforce pool rules
b) Maintain water chemistry
c) Prevent drowning through continuous surveillance per 2025 Red Cross Lifeguard Manual
d) Teach swimming lessons
c) Prevent drowning through continuous surveillance
, Rationale: Prevention is the first line of defense; recognition of distress behaviors is
critical.
2. A passive victim in the water is defined as:
a) Struggling at the surface
b) Unresponsive and motionless per 2025 Red Cross victim recognition protocols
c) Calling for help
d) Treading water
b) Unresponsive and motionless
Rationale: Requires immediate rescue; may be submerged or face-up/down at surface.
3. Which behavior indicates a swimmer in distress?
a) Rhythmic breathing and horizontal position
b) Vertical position with minimal forward movement per 2025 Red Cross surveillance
standards
c) Diving underwater
d) Backstroke
b) Vertical position with minimal forward movement
Rationale: Often cannot call for help; arms may be extended laterally pressing down.
4. The RID factor in lifeguard surveillance stands for:
a) Recognize, Identify, Decide
b) Recognition, Intrusion, Distraction per 2025 Red Cross surveillance theory
c) Rescue, Intervene, Defibrillate
d) Rest, Ice, Debrief
b) Recognition, Intrusion, Distraction
Rationale: Internal/external factors that impair surveillance; lifeguards must self-monitor.
5. When scanning the water, a lifeguard should use:
a) Fixed stare at one spot
b) Systematic scan pattern every 10 seconds per 2025 Red Cross surveillance protocols
c) Only peripheral vision
d) Scan once per minute
b) Systematic scan pattern every 10 seconds
Rationale: Ensures all zones covered; victims can submerge in <20 seconds.
6. A lifeguard should be positioned:
a) In the shade to avoid sun exposure
b) At a height that allows full view of assigned zone per 2025 Red Cross station placement
guidelines
c) Sitting on a beach towel
d) Behind a window
b) At a height that allows full view of assigned zone
Rationale: Elevated stands improve visibility over glare and crowd; must have rescue tube
accessible.
7. The “10/20 rule” in lifeguarding means:
a) 10 minutes break every 20 minutes
b) Scan entire zone in 10 seconds and reach victim in 20 seconds per 2025 Red Cross
response time standards
c) 10 compressions and 20 breaths
d) 10 feet deep and 20 yards wide
b) Scan entire zone in 10 seconds and reach victim in 20 seconds
Rationale: Maximum acceptable recognition and response time for submersion.
Actual Exam with Complete Questions and Answers | American Red Cross Certification |
Lifeguard Training
Overview
This 2025/2026 validated resource contains the complete American Red Cross
Lifeguard exam with actual questions and verified answers, directly aligned with
current Red Cross training standards. Essential for lifeguard candidates preparing for
certification and demonstrating competency in water safety, rescue techniques, and
emergency response protocols.
Key Features
✓ 75-Question Comprehensive Exam matching Red Cross format
✓ Water Rescue Techniques with scenario applications
✓ CPR/AED & First Aid Protocols with current guidelines
✓ Updated 2025/2026 Red Cross training standards
✓ Emergency Action Plans with facility-specific applications
Content Domains
• Surveillance & Recognition (18 Questions)
• Water Rescue Skills (16 Questions)
• CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers (15 Questions)
• First Aid & Emergency Care (14 Questions)
• Legal & Professional Responsibilities (12 Questions)
Answer Format
Verified correct answers in bold green with:
• Red Cross guideline citations
• Rescue technique rationales
• Emergency procedure justifications
• Safety protocol applications
Critical Updates 2025/2026
NEW - Updated CPR compression ratios
UPDATED - Passive victim rescue protocols
REVISED - AED usage guidelines
MODIFIED - Spinal injury management in water
SURVEILLANCE & RECOGNITION (Questions 1–18)
1. The primary responsibility of a lifeguard is to:
a) Enforce pool rules
b) Maintain water chemistry
c) Prevent drowning through continuous surveillance per 2025 Red Cross Lifeguard Manual
d) Teach swimming lessons
c) Prevent drowning through continuous surveillance
, Rationale: Prevention is the first line of defense; recognition of distress behaviors is
critical.
2. A passive victim in the water is defined as:
a) Struggling at the surface
b) Unresponsive and motionless per 2025 Red Cross victim recognition protocols
c) Calling for help
d) Treading water
b) Unresponsive and motionless
Rationale: Requires immediate rescue; may be submerged or face-up/down at surface.
3. Which behavior indicates a swimmer in distress?
a) Rhythmic breathing and horizontal position
b) Vertical position with minimal forward movement per 2025 Red Cross surveillance
standards
c) Diving underwater
d) Backstroke
b) Vertical position with minimal forward movement
Rationale: Often cannot call for help; arms may be extended laterally pressing down.
4. The RID factor in lifeguard surveillance stands for:
a) Recognize, Identify, Decide
b) Recognition, Intrusion, Distraction per 2025 Red Cross surveillance theory
c) Rescue, Intervene, Defibrillate
d) Rest, Ice, Debrief
b) Recognition, Intrusion, Distraction
Rationale: Internal/external factors that impair surveillance; lifeguards must self-monitor.
5. When scanning the water, a lifeguard should use:
a) Fixed stare at one spot
b) Systematic scan pattern every 10 seconds per 2025 Red Cross surveillance protocols
c) Only peripheral vision
d) Scan once per minute
b) Systematic scan pattern every 10 seconds
Rationale: Ensures all zones covered; victims can submerge in <20 seconds.
6. A lifeguard should be positioned:
a) In the shade to avoid sun exposure
b) At a height that allows full view of assigned zone per 2025 Red Cross station placement
guidelines
c) Sitting on a beach towel
d) Behind a window
b) At a height that allows full view of assigned zone
Rationale: Elevated stands improve visibility over glare and crowd; must have rescue tube
accessible.
7. The “10/20 rule” in lifeguarding means:
a) 10 minutes break every 20 minutes
b) Scan entire zone in 10 seconds and reach victim in 20 seconds per 2025 Red Cross
response time standards
c) 10 compressions and 20 breaths
d) 10 feet deep and 20 yards wide
b) Scan entire zone in 10 seconds and reach victim in 20 seconds
Rationale: Maximum acceptable recognition and response time for submersion.
