Lifeguard Lingo
This acronym is used to refer to a victim’s responsiveness.
What is, LOC, Level of Consciousness?
The depth of the main pool at the drop off.
What is 1.37m?
This term refers to the practice of switching lifeguard stations throughout a shift.
What is rotation?
You notice a person choking but they are still coughing forcefully. What’s your next move?
What is encourage them to keep coughing and monitor closely?
This viral children’s song can be used to help rescuers maintain the correct rhythm of 100–120 compressions per minute during CPR.
What is Baby Shark?
This acronym is used to help assess a victim's level of consciousness.
What is AVPU? (Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive)
The number of aquatic staff that have worked the 2024/2025 season. So far.
What is 41?
This is the standard piece of rescue equipment every lifeguard carries while on duty.
What is a rescue tube?
A swimmer slips on the pool deck and has a nosebleed. What should you do?
What is pinch the soft part of the nose and have them lean slightly forward?
The artist of the classic CPR tempo song titled "Stayin' Alive"
Who are The Bee Gees?
This piece of equipment is used in spinal injury rescues to immobilize a victim.
What is a spineboard?
The number of seams on our slide.
What is 11?
The maximum time frame to complete a full scan of your zone.
What is 30 seconds?
A swimmer comes out of the pool clutching their ankle and says they heard a "pop." What do you do?
What is follow the RICE acronym, monitor for shock, and call EMS if needed?
The radio station that is preset number 2 on the speaker in the guard office.
What is 94.5?
This is the primary purpose of using a rescue tube during a submerged victim rescue.
What is to maintain buoyancy and reduce physical strain on the lifeguard?
The number of buoys on the slide divider rope.
You see lightning while guarding an outdoor pool. According to standard safety protocols, this is how long you should close the pool for.
What is 30 minutes after the last sight of lightning or sound of thunder?
Someone has a seizure while standing on the pool deck. What do you do first?
What is protect them from injury by moving nearby objects, then monitor and place in recovery position once the seizure ends?
When Rachel couldn’t take one more round of “Dancing Queen,” Emmaline created a backup AquaFit playlist that mysteriously excluded this Swedish supergroup.
Who is ABBA?
This acronym stands for the three major reasons drownings occur under lifeguard supervision. Name all three factors.
What is Recognition, Intrusion, and Distraction?
The person who made the mural on the pool deck and the year it was created.
Who is Allen C. Hilgendorff and 1997?
Regulation 565 states that all lifeguards must undergo this type of training regularly to maintain skills and emergency readiness.
What is in-service training?
Someone with a history of severe allergies begins vomiting and shows signs of swelling and difficulty breathing after eating. They do not have an epinephrine injector. What should you do?
What is call EMS immediately, monitor airway and breathing, and prepare to begin CPR if needed?
This 1998 hit by Semisonic with the lyrics “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here…” might be the unofficial anthem lifeguards wish they could blast to politely tell swimmers, “Get out — we’re closed.”
What is “Closing Time”?