ALA Study Guide 2026
Everything you need to pass the ALA exam in one place: the exam format, every topic to study, real practice questions with explanations, flashcards, and full-length practice tests. Free, no sign-up needed.
📋 ALA Exam Format at a Glance
📚 ALA Topics to Study (22)
✍️ Sample ALA Questions & Answers
1. What is the ALA's stance on lifeguards consuming alcohol or recreational drugs before or during a shift?
ALA standards apply a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol and drugs before and during any shift because both impair the judgment, reaction time, and physical ability required for effective lifeguarding.
2. Where should a lifeguard place their hands during the head-splint technique?
In the head-splint technique, the rescuer's hands grip the victim's arms while the forearms press against the sides of the head to create a splint.
3. How does regular aerobic fitness training benefit a lifeguard on the job?
Aerobic fitness improves cardiovascular endurance for physically demanding rescues and also sustains mental alertness, which degrades faster in fatigued individuals.
4. Which of the following is NOT a recognized risk factor for drowning?
Properly chlorinated pools are a safe, standard aquatic environment; lack of swimming ability, alcohol/drug use, and missing barriers are all established drowning risk factors.
5. What is the primary goal of a reaching assist in a water rescue situation?
A reaching assist allows the rescuer to extend a pole, towel, or arm to a distressed swimmer without entering the water, reducing personal risk.
6. What type of log must lifeguards maintain throughout every operating day?
An incident and injury log documents all accidents, near-misses, and medical events, creating a legal and operational record essential for risk management.