ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and why is it particularly relevant for competitive swimmers?
- A condition where energy intake is insufficient to support training demands, impairing health and performance (Correct answer)
- A form of dehydration caused by excessive pool chlorine exposure
- An electrolyte imbalance from high-volume training
- A psychological condition unrelated to nutrition
Correct answer: A condition where energy intake is insufficient to support training demands, impairing health and performance
RED-S occurs when caloric intake fails to meet the energy cost of training, leading to hormonal disruption, bone stress injuries, immune suppression, and decreased performance.
Question 2: When performing a pool deck emergency, in what order should a coach follow the Emergency Action Plan (EAP)?
- Recognize the emergency, activate EAP/call EMS, provide care until EMS arrives (Correct answer)
- Call EMS, wait for arrival, then begin care
- Begin care, then call EMS after 10 minutes
- Evacuate the pool, then call EMS
Correct answer: Recognize the emergency, activate EAP/call EMS, provide care until EMS arrives
The EAP sequence is recognize the emergency, activate EMS (call 911), and provide appropriate care (CPR/AED) until professional help arrives.
Question 3: What is the significance of the 'golden hour' concept in aquatic emergency response?
- Survival outcomes improve dramatically when definitive care is provided within the first hour of a life-threatening emergency (Correct answer)
- Rescues must be completed within one hour for legal liability protection
- Swimmers can survive underwater for up to one hour in cold water
- CPR is only effective if started within one hour of cardiac arrest
Correct answer: Survival outcomes improve dramatically when definitive care is provided within the first hour of a life-threatening emergency
The 'golden hour' emphasizes that rapid intervention—especially within the first few minutes for cardiac arrest—dramatically improves survival rates.
Question 4: Which sun safety measure is MOST effective at reducing UV exposure risk during outdoor practice?
- Scheduling outdoor practices to avoid peak UV hours (10 AM–4 PM) when possible (Correct answer)
- Applying sunscreen once per session regardless of duration
- Wearing dark-colored swimsuits only
- Swimming in shaded water only
Correct answer: Scheduling outdoor practices to avoid peak UV hours (10 AM–4 PM) when possible
Avoiding peak UV hours (10 AM–4 PM) provides the greatest UV reduction; sunscreen is a supplemental measure and should be reapplied every 2 hours.
Question 5: A swimmer develops red, itchy eyes and skin irritation after a practice. Which pool chemistry parameter is the MOST likely culprit?
- Combined chlorine (chloramines) from improper pH balance (Correct answer)
- Excessive dissolved oxygen
- High water temperature
- Low calcium hardness
Correct answer: Combined chlorine (chloramines) from improper pH balance
Chloramines, formed when chlorine reacts with sweat, urine, and other organics at improper pH levels, cause eye and skin irritation in swimmers.
Question 6: What is the recommended pool water pH range that minimizes both pathogen risk and swimmer discomfort?
- 7.2–7.8 (Correct answer)
- 6.0–6.5
- 8.5–9.0
- 5.5–6.0
Correct answer: 7.2–7.8
A pH of 7.2–7.8 keeps chlorine effective as a disinfectant while minimizing eye irritation and corrosive damage to equipment.
Question 7: How should a coach handle a swimmer who discloses they are taking a daily prescription medication before a competition?
- Advise the swimmer to verify the medication is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list and consult their physician (Correct answer)
- Tell the swimmer to stop the medication 48 hours before competition
- Inform the swimmer that prescription medications never affect athletic performance
- Report the medication directly to the meet referee without the swimmer's knowledge
Correct answer: Advise the swimmer to verify the medication is not on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list and consult their physician
Coaches should advise athletes to cross-check medications against the WADA prohibited list and work with their physician to obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if needed.
ASCA Athlete Safety & Injury Prevention 4
What is relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) and why is it particularly relevant for competitive swimmers?