Lifeguard Responsibilities Quiz

What does the primary responsibility of a lifeguard include?

• Conduct surveillance.

• Administer swim tests.

• Assist patrons with questions.

• Ensure that resuscitation equipment is working.

In which scenario is a lifeguard demonstrating characteristics of professional appearance while conducting surveillance?

• Using a mobile phone

• Socializing with patrons

• Assuming a relaxed posture

• Wearing the lifeguard uniform properly

What immediate action should a lifeguard take when they hear thunder in the distance?

• Clear patrons from the water.

• Count the seconds between claps of thunder.

• Monitor weather reports to watch for storms.

• Allow patrons to remain in the water until lightning is sighted.

A lifeguard is conducting surveillance when a patron tells them that the shower is leaking and the locker room floor is flooded. How should the lifeguard respond?

• Leave the lifeguard stand and investigate the problem.

• Thank the patron and signal for assistance from the manager.

• Tell the patron that the leak will be fixed after the facility closes.

• Complete an incident report form.

A lifeguard is conducting surveillance from a ground-level station. The water depth in their zone is 4 feet. A person at the far end of their zone starts to display active drowning behaviors. The water in front of their zone is crowded with patrons. Which entry should the lifeguard use in this situation?

• Stride jump

• Slide-in entry

• Compact jump

• Run-and-swim entry

A patron in the water is vertical, struggling to keep their face above the water, has their arms extended to their sides, is pressing down for support and is not making any forward progress in the water. Which situation do these behaviors describe?

• Distressed swimmer

• Active drowning person

• Passive drowning person

• Person with potential spinal injury

Which behavior does a passive drowning person exhibit?

• May be clinging to a line for support

• Struggles at the surface of the water

• Has defined arm and leg movements leading to purposeful movement

• Appears unresponsive in the water at the surface, sinking or on the bottom

How often should a lifeguard complete a scan of their entire zone?

• Every 15 seconds

• Every 30 seconds

• Every 45 seconds

• Every 90 seconds

Which action indicates that a lifeguard is using an effective scanning technique?

• Sits still to prevent too much distracting body movement

• Mentally rehearses how to perform a rescue to help stay alert and prepared

• Moves their head and eyes and looks directly at each patron in the zone

• Focuses most of their attention on high-risk patrons, occasionally glancing at other patrons

Sun glare on the water surface is making it difficult for a lifeguard to see patrons on one side of their surveillance area. The lifeguard stands up and attempts to look around and through the glare spot without success. Which action should the lifeguard take in this situation?

• Signal for assistance.

• Keep trying to adjust their position.

• Wait for the sun position to change.

• Move patrons to an area not affected by glare