Lifeguard Test: Red Cross

How can you best protect yourself from possible bloodborne pathogen transmission when providing care?

a. Ask the victim first if they have any communicable diseases.

b. Thoroughly wash your hands before providing care.

c. Use first aid supplies, such as dressings and bandages, as a barrier when in contact with the victim.

d. Use personal protective equipment (PPE), such as disposable gloves and a breathing barrier, when providing care.

D

A 12-year-old child at a swim meet grabs their chest and begins to make wheezing noises. After you obtain consent to provide care, the child's parent informs you that the child has a history of asthma, but does not have an inhaler nearby. What care should you provide?

a. Give 5 back blows.

b. Summon more advanced medical personnel and place the victim into a position that helps breathing.

c. Tell the victim to use an inhaler borrowed from a bystander.

d. Wait 20 minutes to see if the breathing difficulty goes away.

B

Your initial impression of a victim is based on:

a. The victim's initial vital signs.

b. How the victim appears to you as you size up the scene.

c. The victim's SAMPLE history.

d. What you have been told about the victim.

B

You and another lifeguard find an unresponsive adult on the floor in the locker room. You activate your facility's EAP, size-up the scene, form an initial impression and perform a primary assessment. You find the victim is not moving or breathing, but has a pulse. You should summon EMS personnel, then:

a. Give ventilations at a rate of 1about every 5-6 seconds.

b. Give back blows and chest thrusts.

c. Give quick breaths at the rate of 20 to 40 a minute.

d. Perform CPR.

A

You arrive on the scene where a patron appears to be injured. Before approaching the victim, which of the following will you NOT do as you size-up the scene?

a. Begin performing the primary assessment.

b. Use all your senses to determine if the scene is safe.

c. Form an initial impression.

d. Put on appropriate PPE.

A

When providing care during an emergency, which of the following should you do first?

a. Size-up the scene while forming an initial impression.

b. Check for responsiveness.

c. Perform a primary assessment.

d. Summon more advanced medical personnel.

A

As the first rescuer on the scene, you are performing CPR on an adult. When performing chest compressions, how deeply should you compress the chest?

a. About 2 inches

b. At least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches

c. About 1½ inches

d. At least 1 inch but no more than 2 inches

B

CPR should be performed on which of the following victims?

a. One who is in cardiac arrest

b. One who is conscious and is choking

c. One who is experiencing difficulty breathing

d. One who responds to painful stimuli

A

What is the first step of the Adult Cardiac Chain of Survival?

a. Early CPR to keep oxygen-rich blood flowing and to help delay brain damage and death.

b. Early defibrillation to help restore an effective heart rhythm and significantly increase the Vitim's chance for survival.

c. Advanced life support using advanced medical personnel who can provide the proper tools and medication needed to continue the lifesaving care.

d. Recognition of a cardiac emergency and activation of the emergency response system.

D

You are providing care to a victim suspected of having a heart attack. Which of the following would you do first?

a. Summon EMS personnel.

b. Loosen any tight clothing.

c. Monitor the victim's appearance.

d. Provide comfort to the victim.

A

Once you have turned on the automated external defibrillator (AED), you should:

a. Check for breathing.

b. Give abdominal thrusts.

c. Apply the pads and allow the AED to analyze the heart rhythm.

d. Give chest compressions.

C

To ensure high-quality CPR and high-quality chest compressions, you should:

a. Keep your shoulders directly over your hands and bend your elbows.

b. Compress the victim's chest to a shallow depth

c. Expose the victim's chest to ensure proper hand placement and full chest recoil.

d. Place the victim on a soft, flat surface

C

You are performing CPR on a victim and an assisting responder arrives. Which of the following is most appropriate for the assisting responder to do first?

a. Begin giving ventilations to the victim.

b. Call for a change in position to assist with CPR.

c. Check to see whether EMS personnel have been called.

d. Have the first lifeguard stop CPR to allow for victim reassessment.

C

14. Which of the following is most essential to use when giving ventilations to protect you and the victim from disease transmission? a. Resuscitation masks

b. Protective clothing

c. Gowns

d. Protective eye wear

A

You are providing care to a facility maintenance worker who has fallen off the top of a ladder. The victim is responsive. Which of the following should you do first?

a. Ask the victim what happened when they fell.

b. Obtain consent from the victim to provide care.

c. Check the victim's pulse.

d. Question the victim about any complaints of pain.

B

16. For which of the following should you summon EMS personnel?

a. A victim with a minor cut on the forearm that is lightly bleeding

b. A victim with an airway obstruction who is forcefully coughing

c. A victim with intermittent abdominal pressure

d. A victim with an open leg wound with the bone protruding

D

While performing a primary assessment on an unresponsive adult who has been rescued from the water, you find that they have only occasional gasps, no pulse and no severe life-threatening bleeding. Which of the following should you do next?

a. Give 5 abdominal thrusts.

b. Immediately begin CPR, starting with chest compressions.

c. Place the victim in the recovery position.

d. Give 2 ventilations and begin CPR.

D

If there is a risk of the AED pads touching each other, such as with a small child or an infant, you should:

a. Place one pad on the stomach and one pad on the chest.

b. Place one pad in the middle of the chest and the other on the back.

c. Place them as usual. It does not matter if the pads touch each other.

d. Reverse the pads' position on the chest.

B

You have sized up the scene, formed an initial impression and determined the scene is safe. When starting the primary assessment, which of the following would you do first?

a. Summon EMS personnel

b. Check for responsiveness

c. Open the victim's airway

d. Check for breathing and a pulse

B

Which of the following statements about bag-valve-mask resuscitators (BVMs)

is most accurate?

a. BVMs are readily available at all emergency scenes.

b. Monitoring the victim for full exhalation is not required.

c. Ventilations are more effective when two rescuers operate the BVM.

d. When used by a single rescuer, BVMs allow easy coordination with chest compressions.

C

You are preparing to give ventilations to a 5-year-old child using a resuscitation mask. You should give 1 ventilation about every:

a. 1 second.

b. 2 seconds.

c. 5-6 seconds.

d. 3 seconds.

D

22. When performing chest compressions during CPR, you should give compressions at a rate of at least how many compressions per minute?

a. Between 100 and 120

b. Between 60 and 80

c. Between 120 and 140

d. Between 140 and 160

A

23. An AED has advised that a shock should be given. Which of the following is appropriate?

a. Apply new AED pads to the victim's chest.

b. Begin chest compressions immediately.

c. Tell everyone to stand clear of the victim.

d. Cover the AED pads with a blanket.

C

24. You are about to apply AED pads to a victim's chest when you notice that the victim has several body piercings with jewelry on their chest. Which of the following should you do?

a. Remove the jewelry before applying the pads.

b. Use one pad, applying it directly over the jewelry.

c. Wipe the chest, including the jewelry, with alcohol.

d. Apply the pads to the chest, at least 1 inch away from the jewelry

D

25. The cycle of chest compressions and ventilations in two-rescuer CPR for an infant is:

a. 15 chest compressions and 2 ventilations.

b. 15 chest compressions and 1 ventilation.

c. 30 chest compressions and 1 ventilation.

d. 30 chest compressions and 2 ventilations.

A

26. You are using a resuscitation mask to give ventilations to a child. After you position and seal the mask, which of the following should you do next?

a. Tilt the victim's head back to open the airway.

b. Blow into the mask.

c. Place the victim's head in a neutral position to maintain an open airway.

d. Place the victim in a recovery position.

A

You are providing care to a patron who started choking on some food. The victim becomes unresponsive. Which of the following should you do first?

a. Attempt to give ventilations to the victim.

b. Lower the victim to the ground and open their airway.

c. Look inside the victim's mouth and use your fingers to remove the obstruction.

d. Lower the victim to the ground and begin CPR starting with chest compressions.

D

Where should you place your hands when giving chest compressions to an infant during CPR?

a. One hand on the chin and one hand on the chest.

b. One hand on the chin and two or three fingers on the center of the chest.

c. One hand on the forehead and two or three fingers on the center of the chest.

d. One hand on the forehead and one hand on the chest.

C

When giving abdominal thrusts to an adult who is choking, where should you position your fist?

a. In the center of the breastbone

b. In the middle of the abdomen, just above the navel

c. In the middle of the abdomen, just below the navel

d. On the rib cage

B

A person has been injured and is responsive. You should:

a. Have the victim walk with you to the first aid station so you can obtain consent and provide care.

b. Provide care immediately based on the victim's condition.

c. Speak with the victim to find out what happened and check for non-life-threatening conditions.

d. Obtain consent, check the victim for life-threatening conditions and speak with the victim to find out what happened.

D

Your initial impression reveals severe life-threatening bleeding in an adult victim who appears to be unresponsive. Your next step should be:

a. Open the airway and check for breathing and a pulse.

b. Control the bleeding with any available resources.

c. Perform a secondary assessment.

d. Immediately begin CPR.

B

An injured patron is responsive and bleeding. After summoning EMS personnel, obtaining consent and putting on disposable gloves, what is your next care step?

a. Treat the victim for shock by lying the victim down.

b. Elevate the wound if you can do so without causing further pain.

c. Press firmly against the wound with a sterile dressing and bandage. d. Let the wound bleed until it stops on its own.

C

A way to remember the questions to ask when taking a brief history is to use the acronym SAMPLE. What does the A in SAMPLE stand for?

a. Allergies

b. Age

c. Airway

d. Ankle

A

What is the first step you should take in caring for a victim with burns?

a. Cool the burned area to stop the burning.

b. Keep the victim comfortable.

c. Take steps to minimize shock.

d. Remove the victim from the source of the burn.

D (seems too obvious but it is the right answer)

If a victim is having a seizure in the water:

a. Support the victim with their head above water until the seizure ends.

b. Immediately get them out of the water.

c. Immediately move the victim to shallow water until the seizure ends, if the victim is in deep water.

d. Secure the victim onto a backboard.

A

During a swim meet, the bleachers behind your guard station

suddenly collapse. As you check the scene, you notice several people who appear injured. Who should you approach first?

a. A parent holding a crying infant.

b. A victim who appears unconscious.

c. A victim who is bleeding lightly from an injury on the leg.

d. A child who is holding their arm, which appears to be injured.

B

When caring for musculoskeletal injuries, what does RICE stand for? a. Remove, immobilize, care, elevate

b. Rest, ice, care, evaluate

c. Rest, immobilize, cold, elevate

d. Remove, ice, care, evaluate

C (this changed recently used to be rest, ice, compress elevate)

All of the following are components of scene size-up EXCEPT:

a. Gathering an initial impression of the situation.

b. Calling for additional resources as needed.

c. Looking for situations that are hazardous.

d. Checking for responsiveness.

D

Signs and symptoms of sudden illness do not include:

a. Changes in LOC

b. Nausea or vomiting.

c. Bruising or rigidness of the abdomen.

d. Loss of vision or blurred vision.

C

When checking a victim during a secondary assessment you notice changes in her LOC. What does the C stand for in LOC?

a. Condition.

b. Consciousness.

c. Comprehension.

d. Complication.

B

You notice a patron that is swimming laps who suddenly slips under water without a struggle and does not resurface. This person is probably:

a. A passive victim who needs help.

b. A distressed swimmer who needs help.

c. An active victim who needs help.

d. An intermediate swimmer who does not need help.

A

Primary responsibilities of a lifeguard include:

a. Inspecting the pool and rescue equipment before the facility opens and paying close attention to patrons in the water by actively searching their assigned zone.

b. Fixing the pool rope and lane lines and ensuring the changing rooms are clean.

c. Following the health codes, answering a patron's question and making sure patrons shower before using the pool.

d. Passing out the pool rules to all the patrons.

A

A child accidentally falls from the deck into the water and is in distress. After you activate the emergency action plan (EAP), what steps should you take next?

a. Clear the pool and alert management of the emergency.

b. Encourage them to stay calm and swim back to the edge of the pool.

c. Enter the water, approach the victim and bring them to a safe exit point.

d. Obtain consent from the child's parent before rescuing the child.

C

The size and shape of a lifeguard's zone should allow them to recognize and reach a victim in the furthest and deepest part of their zone within:

a. 45 seconds

b. 1 ½ minutes

c. 30 seconds

d. 2 minutes

C

While searching your zone, you notice a person motionless in the water. The steps you follow in a water emergency are performed in the following order:

a. Perform a secondary assessment, perform a primary assessment, size-up the scene, activate the emergency action plan (EAP), and summon EMS personnel.

b. Perform a primary assessment, activate the EAP, summon EMS personnel, perform a secondary assessment and size-up the scene. c. Size-up the scene, activate the EAP, form an initial impression, summon EMS personnel, perform a primary assessment and perform a secondary assessment.

d. Activate the EAP, enter the water, perform an appropriate rescue, move the victim to a safe exit point, remove the victim from the water and provide emergency care as needed.

D (but always size up the scene)

While searching your zone, you witness a patron struggling while swimming and then go under water. Which of the following applies? a. You would use the RID factor to determine what to do.

b. You should continue to scan the pool until emergency back-up coverage is available.

c. You have duty to act and perform the appropriate rescue.

d. You should notify off duty lifeguards to provide care for the victim.

C

A lifeguard can no longer see some of the patrons at one side of the swimming area from their station because of glare from the afternoon sun. To maintain effective patron surveillance, the lifeguard should:

a. Document the issue and present it at next month's staff meeting.

b. Adjust their position slightly to remove the glare from the surveillance area.

c. Leave the area to find the supervisor for assistance.

d. Stay in the same position since the patrons are strong swimmers.

B

A couple of patrons start running on the pool deck. You blow your whistle to get their attention. Next, you enforce the rules and regulations by:

a. Calling your supervisor.

b. Giving them a warning.

c. Telling them they could slip or fall and must walk on the deck.

d. Telling them they might be asked to leave and demanding they stop it now.

C

When caring for a suspected head, neck or spinal injury in water, proper manual inline stabilization is:

a. Provided using the head splint technique.

b. Less important than on land due to the support provided by the water.

c. The only necessary technique needed if EMS personnel are close by.

d. Provided by bystanders if the lifeguard needs to clear the pool.

A

10.The objective of the facility safety team is to:

a. Provide emergency back-up coverage when lifeguards are performing a water rescue.

b. Assist lifeguards in maintaining a safe environment and providing emergency care.

c. Help lifeguards understand the facility's EAP.

d. Perform patron surveillance when lifeguards need to take a break.

B

You are a lifeguard on surveillance duty during a busy family swim session. It is important to:

a. Scan all areas in your assigned zone of coverage, wear your hip pack and carry your rescue tube with you at all times.

b. Have a first aid kit, an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a backboard immediately available to you on the pool deck next to your station.

c. Rope off and close all areas of the facility that have water over 5-feet deep.

d. Have enough lifejackets on hand and require all non-swimmers to use them.

A

A head, neck or spinal injury rarely happens:

a. In deep water at a supervised facility.

b. When someone is running on the pool deck.

c. In shallow water that is clearly signed No Diving.

d. From collisions between swimmers.

A

Which of the following is true about accidental fecal releases (AFRs)?

a. Require water treatment, temporary pool closure and immediate lifeguard attention.

b. AFRs do not require immediate attention.

c. Managers only need to be concerned with AFRs.

d. It is part of the routine daily operation of a pool that must be done for safety

A

Which of the following is a primary responsibility of a lifeguard?

a. Testing the pool water chemistry

b. Monitoring the performance of the other lifeguards on duty

c. Enforcing facility rules and regulations and educating patrons about them

d. Performing opening duties, closing duties or facility safety checks and inspections

C

You are lifeguarding during a family swim session when you notice a swimmer swimming full lengths of the pool under water. What should you do?

a. Activate the facility EAP, clear the pool and remove them from the pool.

b. Immediately stop them from continuing the activity and explain the dangers of the activity.

c. Immediately get the attention of the swimmer and instruct them to leave the pool for breaking pool rules.

d. Alert the pool manager of the situation once your shift is over and document the event.

B (but in real life be cool)

After removing a responsive victim you suspect has a spinal injury from the water, you should do all the following except:

a. Make sure 911 or the local emergency number.

b. Dry the victim off and apply the pads of an AED.

c. Protect the victim from becoming cold.

d. Reassure the victim and perform a secondary assessment

B

You enter the water to rescue a victim with a suspected spinal injury. You determine that the victim is not breathing. What should you do next?

a. Delay removal from the water and provide 2 minutes of in-water ventilations.

b. Remove the victim water using a modified spinal backboarding procedure.

c. Remove the victim from the water using the Extrication Using a Backboard at the Pool Edge technique.

d. Remove the victim from the water using the spinal backboarding procedure.

C

.A lifeguard keeps an eye on the patrons of the pool, actively searching and checking the bottom, middle and surface of the water. The lifeguard is demonstrating:

a. Effective communication.

b. Implied consent.

c. The RID factor.

d. Effective scanning.

D

A parent and child walk over to you; the parent states that the child fell on the pool deck and hit their head. You notice there is blood and fluid running from the child's ear and they are feeling dizzy. You activate the EAP and summon EMS personnel. What steps should you take next?

a. Bring the child a chair, ask them to sit down and tell them not to move. Perform a secondary assessment while waiting for EMS personnel to arrive.

b. Have the parent transport the child to the emergency room since they are already walking.

c. Have the child lie down on the pool deck and perform a secondary assessment while waiting for EMS personnel to arrive.

d. Provide manual stabilization while the other lifeguards prepare to backboard

A

The lifeguard supervisor expects the pool to be very busy in the afternoon. For effective patron surveillance, the supervisor sets up multiple lifeguard stations to reduce the number of patrons watched by each lifeguard. This type of coverage is called:

a. Back-up coverage.

b. Rescue coverage.

c. Zone coverage.

d. Total coverage.

C

The following statements describe appropriate rescue techniques for a victim with a suspected spinal injury, EXCEPT:

a. If the victim is at the surface in deep water, you may need a rescue tube to support yourself and the victim.

b. If the victim is submerged, you should not use the rescue tube when submerging and bringing the victim to the surface.

c. If the victim is small and is in shallow water, you do not need to use a backboard to extricate the victim.

d. If the victim is in shallow water, you do not need to use a rescue tube to support yourself.

C

A patron collides with another swimmer while diving into the pool and asks the lifeguard for help. Without performing an assessment, the lifeguard tells the patron that they can continue swimming. The patron leaves the facility and seeks medical attention from a hospital after they begins to feel tingling sensations in their arms and legs. The lifeguard may be:

a. A Good Samaritan.

b. Negligent.

c. Following the refusal-of-care principle.

d. Using the RID factor.

B

Why is it important to attend a pre-season orientation and training?

a. To ensure that lifeguards understand their responsibilities and know how to perform their job.

b. To ensure that lifeguards get practice with their facility's safety and rescue equipment and emergency action plans.

c. To ensure lifeguards understand codes, rules and regulations of the facility.

d. All of the above.

D

During a weather-related power failure at a facility, you should:

a. Clear everyone from the pool.

b. Let patrons continue swimming.

c. Let patrons sit on the edge with their feet in the water.

d. Monitor weather reports while patrons continue to swim.

A

During in-service training, lifeguards practice the steps of recognizing a distressed swimmer, rescuing an active victim, informing management and speaking with witnesses. The lifeguards are practicing parts of a(n):

a. Communication plan.

b. Secondary assessment.

c. Emergency action plan.

d. Staff debriefing.

C

You enter the mechanical room and find a maintenance worker lying on their back on the floor next to a ladder. You check the scene and determine it is safe to enter. During your primary assessment, you find the victim is unresponsive but breathing. You must leave to get help, what should you do?

a. Place the victim in a recovery position.

b. Leave the victim just as they are.

c. Do not leave the victim since they are breathing, monitor their condition and wait for additional help to come.

d. Use a clothes drag to move the victim to where you can summon more help.

A is correct on test but I would chose B and get help

.It is very hot in your facility and you are starting to doze on the stand. All of the following can help you stay alert EXECPT for:

a. Staying hydrated while drinking plenty of water.

b. Jumping in the pool while on surveillance duty to cool off.

c. Rotating more frequently.

d. Staying in a cooler area during breaks.

B

When completing an incident report:

a. Collect all factual information about what was seen, heard and the actions taken.

b. Include all details about the incident, including your opinion about how the incident happened.

c. Allow witnesses to discuss their thoughts about the incident before compiling their statements onto one report.

d. Do not allow the victim to leave until you have completed the report and your supervisor has signed it.

A

When placing a responsive victim with a suspected head, neck or spinal injury on a backboard, what in-line stabilization technique should you use?

a. The head and chin support

b. The hand hold position

c. The over-arm head splint

d. The recovery position

C

If three lifeguards are on duty, emergency back-up coverage takes place:

a. When a lifeguard is unable to show up to work for their shift.

b. When a lifeguard enters the water for a rescue.

c. Whenever the facility EAP is activated.

d. When the facility has more patrons than its designed capacity allows.

B

When conducting a swim test, Lifeguards should use the:

a. Water Safety Steps

b. Safe Swimming Sequence

c. Water Competency Sequence

d. Safe Swimming Steps

C

Members of the safety team, including non-lifeguard personnel, should be:

a. Trained in CPR if they interested in receiving training.

b. Trained to follow the other EAP duties that do not involve providing care.

c. Trained in first aid and CPR for non-professionals.

d. Trained and certified in first aid and CPR/ AED at the same level of the lifeguard team

D

You are approaching a victim who is horizontal in the water, at the surface in 4 feet of water. The victim is facing you and appears to be unconscious. What rescue technique would be appropriate in this situation?

a. Active victim front rescue.

b. Passive victim front rescue.

c. Passive victim in extreme shallow water - face up.

d. Submerged victim in shallow water.

B

A patron dives into the shallow end of the lap pool. You suspect a head, neck or spinal injury because the patron performed a high-risk, high-impact activity and has:

a. An elevated body temperature.

b. Blood in the ears and nose.

c. An irregular heartbeat.

d. Impaired hearing.

B

Which of the following statement(s) are true about the equipment that lifeguards should wear or carry?

a. Lifeguards should wear their rescue tube at all times when on surveillance duty.

b. Lifeguard should either wear a hip pack, or keep it strapped to their chair for easy access.

c. Lifeguards should keep latex gloves in their hip pack at all times.

d. All of the above.

A is correct on test, D is actually correct