Ch. 1 The Professional Lifeguard

Good Samaritan laws are designed to protect most professional rescuers from—

• The risk of legal action as a result of sharing information about the victim with bystanders and social media.

• The risk of legal action as long as they act in good faith, within the scope of their training and are not negligent.

• The need to legally document what was seen, heard and done at the scene.

• The need to obtain consent before providing care.

Before providing care for a conscious injured or ill victim, you must first—

• Announce to bystanders what you are going to do.

• Begin to write your record of what happened.

• Find out if you have a duty to act.

• Obtain the victim’s consent.

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of lifeguards?

• Educating patrons about facility rules and regulations.

• Ensuring the victim returns to his or her previous state of health.

• Minimizing or eliminating hazardous situations or behaviors.

• Providing needed care for the victim.

Which of the following personal characteristics should be true of a professional lifeguard?

• Eat and hydrate properly only on days when you are working.

• Maintain a professional attitude, appearance and healthy lifestyle.

• Update certifications within a year after they expire.

• Use sun protection and sunglasses only on hot, sunny days.

If a victim of injury or illness refuses care, you should—

• Continue to provide care as needed.

• Explain to the victim why he or she needs care and request the victim to at least allow someone more highly trained, such as EMS personnel, to evaluate the situation.

• Interview bystanders and fill out the incident report.

• Tell the victim you are trained to help, your level of training, and what you think might be wrong.

Negligence includes all of the following EXCEPT—

• Failing to control or stop any behaviors that could result in further harm or injury.

• Failing to provide care.

• Providing inappropriate care.

• Providing the standard of care.

Which of the following situations would NOT require obtaining consent from the individual or from a parent or guardian before providing care?

• A person who can talk and can give information regarding his or her injury or illness

• A child who is with his parents but is unconscious from an accident

• A person who is currently conscious but previously was unconscious, according to his friend

• A person who is unconscious with a minor open wound

The vast majority of states and the District of Columbia have Good Samaritan laws.

• True

• False

Good Samaritan laws protect people who willingly provide emergency care without accepting anything in return.

• True

• False

Good Samaritan laws protect people from legal liability resulting from a victim's injury if they act in good faith and provide care outside of their level of training.

• True

• False