Lifeguard Challenge Unconscious Scenarios 2026

A normal sinus rhythm

No pulse, which may be caused by ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia

A heart rate that will eventually lead to unconsciousness

Guests who are suffering from respiratory distress

Keep the guest in the water until professional rescuers arrive to safely extricate the guest

Strap the guest onto the backboard and use full spinal precautions in the water before extrication

Completely strap the guest to the board so that CPR can begin prior to rapid extrication

Carefully and quickly fasten one strap around the guest's chest to secure him to the backboard prior to extrication

A range between 75-95 chest compressions a minute

A rate of about 110 chest compressions a minute

A rate of about 100-120 chest compressions a minute

A rate not to exceed 130 chest compressions every 5-cycles

Move the guest 6 ft from the water, immediately put on gloves before touching the guest

Move the guest 6 ft from the water, immediately check for a pulse

Move the guest 6 ft from the water, immediately provide 2 rescue breaths before checking for a pulse.

Move the guest as far away from the water’s as possible, immediately provide 2 rescue breaths while you check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds

Make sure to remove any personal flotation devices on the guest, then safely remove the unconscious guest from the water with a backboard

Remember that use of the backboard is optional – get the guest out any way you can

Safely remove the unconscious guest from the water with a backboard, using at least two lifeguards

Perform at least two rescue breaths before pulling the guest out of the water

Put the guest in an open airway position, check for spontaneous breathing, if none, begin rescue breathing while moving to the extrication point

Put the guest on the rescue tube and begin moving toward a backboard and the extrication point

Glove up, put the guest in open airway position, check spontaneous breathing, if none, do rescue breaths and move to the extrication point

Put guest in an open airway position, check for spontaneous breathing, if none, begin moving to the extrication point while maintaining an open airway then begin in-water rescue breathing if waiting for the backboard

15 Compressions then 2 Breaths

1 Breath Every 6 Seconds

30 Compressions then 2 Breaths

1 Breath Every 3 Seconds

Locate the carotid artery in the neck for all age groups. The pulse should be checked for up to 10 seconds

Locate the carotid artery in the neck for adults and children. Locate the femoral artery in the leg for infants. Check pulse for up to 10 seconds

Try the carotid artery for 10 seconds, if no pulse is found check the brachial artery for an additional 10 seconds, just to be sure

Locate the carotid artery in the neck for adults and children. Locate the brachial artery in the arm for infants. Check pulse for up to 10 seconds

30 chest compressions and 2 breaths

15 chest compressions and 1 breath

30 chest compressions and 1 breath

15 chest compressions and 2 breaths

30 chest compressions and 2 breaths

15 chest compressions and 1 breath

30 chest compressions and 1 breath

15 chest compressions and 2 breaths