Basics
What is the primary responsibility of a lifeguard?
To prevent drowning and other injuries from occurring at their aquatic facility
A lifeguard on duty should be able to recognize and reach a drowning victim within how much time?
30 seconds
What is the difference between total and zone coverage?
Total coverage is when one guard watches the complete pool. While zone coverage is when the swimming area is divided into separate zones, with one zone for each lifeguard station.
You are searching your new zone as you walk toward the elevated lifeguard stand in the deep end before a rotation and you spot an active drowning victim.
Stride Jump
A victim in the water is not breathing; what is your first concern?
Always remove a victim who is not breathing from the water as soon as possible to provide care. However, if doing so will delay care, then perform in-water ventilations until you can remove the victim.
Explain what it means to be "equipped and rescue-ready."
You are wearing or carrying the appropriate rescue equipment for your facility and ready to enter the water to perform a rescue
You must be prepared to respond to emergencies that are outside of the immediate aquatic environment and not part of your zone of responsibility. Give an example of an era that can occur and explain why.
1) Parking lots, locker room or lobby areas
This is because as a certified lifeguard, you are primarily bound by the legal "duty to act," requiring you to provide care while on duty.
What are the differences between a distressed swimmer and an active drowning victim?
Distressed swimmer
- May be able to keep their face out of the water
- May be able to call or wave for help
- Floating, sculling, or treading water
Active drowning victim
- Not able to call for help
- Has extended their arms to the side or front, pressing down for support
- Is positioned vertically with an ineffective kick
You spot an active drowning victim while searching your zone from a ground-level station located in the middle of the pool where the water is 8' deep and the landlines are out.
Slide in entry
List three examples of high-impact/high-risk activities in an aquatic environment that can cause a head, neck, or spinal injury
1) Receiving a blow to the head
2) Colliding with another swimmer
3) Entering head first into shallow water
What does EAP stand for?
Emergany Action Plan
What are the EAP actions for a situation where the victim is responsive and does not require additional care?
1) Signal
2) Rescue
3) Report, advise, release
4) Equipment check/corrective action
5) Return to duty
What are the two most common assists and when should each be used?
1) Simple Assist; used when patron is in active distress close to the wall and the lifeguard is able to reach them without the assistance of any devices.
2) Reaching Assist; used when patron is in active distress a few feet from the wall requiring the lifeguard to kneel and stretch out their buoy for the patron to grab on.
You are searching your zone from an elevated station when you spot a patron who appears to have a head injury as a result of diving in shallow water.
Slide in entry
The ________________________ technique is used for performing manual in-line stabilization for victims in the water.
Head splint
What items are considered to be personal protective equipment for a lifeguard?
Resuscitation masks and gloves
Describe the actions of primary, secondary, and additional lifeguards during a rescue where the victim is unresponsive and requires additional emergency care.
Primary lifeguards:
1)Activate EAP
2)Begin rescue procedures and get the victim on land to begin CPR within 1 1/2 minutes to 2 minutes.
Secondary lifegaurd:
1.) Get to the backboard and prepare for CPR
Additional lifeguards:
1) Summoning EMS personnel
2) Bringing additional equipment(AED), if necessary
3) Clearing the area or facility
4) Controlling the crowd
5) Meeting EMS personnel
After an emergency has been resolved, there are still three important tasks to
complete. Explain each task.
Report: complete an incident report form
Advise: advise the victim on next steps (ex. go to doctor)
Release: release the victim to the appropriate parties (ex: child to their parent)
You are seated on an elevated lifeguard stand in the deep end during recreational swim and spot a passive-drowning victim. The area surrounding your station is clear of patrons and objects.
Compact jump
When rescuing a victim, communication with them is important. What should lifeguards tell the victim?Rember this is most likely one of the scariest moments of their lives.
- Let the victim know what you are doing
- Reassure the victim along the way
- Tell the victim not to nod or shake their head but instead say "yes" or "no" to answer
questions.
The size of a zone should allow for a lifeguard to recognize an emergency, reach the victim, extricate and provide ventilation's within how much time? Explain why.
1 1/2 to 2 minutes because in that amount of time you might resuscitate the victim
Place the general rescue procedures for caring for a head, neck or spinal injury in
the water in order:
1) Activate the facility's EAP (may be specific for these types of injuries)
2) Safely enter the water
3) Perform a rescue providing manual in-line stabilization
4) Remove the victim from the water using the appropriate spinal backboard procedure
5) Check for responsiveness and breathing
6) Re-assess the victim's condition and provide appropriate care.
What are some factors that should be considered when deciding how to enter the water?
- Location of victim
- Condition of victim
- Location of other swimmers
- Your location
- Type of equipment used
- Facility setup
- Water depth
You have just rotated during open swim during a crowded time and spot a swimmer in distress.
Slide in entry
Who should deal with questions from the media after an incident? Select all
that apply.
Why?
Facility manager or company spokesperson - your doing so may lead to legal action.