Chapter 1 and 2 review questions

What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard?

• To encourage patrons to participate in water safety educational programs

• To prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility

• To schedule and participate in frequent in-service trainings

• To deliver patron safety orientations and administer swim tests

List three ways that lifeguards fulfill their primary responsibility.

List five examples of secondary responsibilities that a lifeguard may have. Remember, secondary responsibilities should never interfere with patron surveillance.

List five characteristics of a professional lifeguard.

Explain what it means to be equipped and rescue-ready.

While on surveillance duty, a lifeguard should:

• Keep a personal mobile phone in their hip pack at all times, in case of an emergency.

• Stay alert by eating healthy snacks at regular intervals.

• Be attentive and sit or stand with good posture.

• Assist patrons with swim testing.

A lifeguard is texting while on surveillance duty and fails to recognize a swimmer in distress. What legal principle could be a problem for this lifeguard?

• Negligence

• Abandonment

• Refusal of care

• Consent

A lifeguard needs to obtain consent from an injured patron before providing first aid care. List three things the lifeguard should tell the injured patron in order to obtain their consent.

What is the validity period of an American Red Cross Lifeguarding certification? How can an American Red Cross–certified lifeguard get recertified?

Why is it important for lifeguards to attend the annual (preseason) training and orientation provided by their employer?

• It gives lifeguards a chance to practice working together as a team and ensures that everyone on the team is familiar with the facility's layout and equipment.

• It gives lifeguards a chance to familiarize themselves with the facility's specific procedures and equipment, their responsibilities as employees at that facility and management's expectations.

• It gives lifeguards an opportunity to practice their skills.

• All of the above