NASCO Emergency Response & Safety Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A lifeguard suspects a patron is experiencing a seizure in the water. What is the immediate action?
- Restrain the patron to stop movement
- Support the patron's head above water and guide them to the wall (Correct answer)
- Remove all other swimmers only
- Administer rescue breaths immediately
Correct answer: Support the patron's head above water and guide them to the wall
The priority is preventing drowning by keeping the seizing patron's airway above water while the seizure runs its course.
Question 2: What does SAMPLE stand for in aquatic emergency patient assessment?
- Signs, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last intake, Events (Correct answer)
- Symptoms, Airway, Medical history, Pulse, Level, Exposure
- Scene, Airway, Movement, Pulse, Location, Emergency
- Shock, Allergy, Medication, Pain, Lung, Events
Correct answer: Signs, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last intake, Events
SAMPLE is a systematic history-gathering tool: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events preceding.
Question 3: When should a lifeguard stop CPR once started?
- After 10 minutes if there is no response
- Only when EMS takes over, the victim recovers, or the responder is too exhausted to continue (Correct answer)
- After delivering one AED shock
- When a supervisor instructs them to stop
Correct answer: Only when EMS takes over, the victim recovers, or the responder is too exhausted to continue
CPR must continue until a qualified authority assumes care, the patient revives, or the rescuer is physically unable to continue.
Question 4: In a lightning emergency, what is the minimum distance patrons should be from the water or pool structure?
- 10 feet
- 25 feet
- 50 feet (Correct answer)
- 100 feet
Correct answer: 50 feet
NASCO recommends clearing patrons at least 50 feet from the water and directing them to a safe interior structure.
Question 5: Which action is correct when a conscious choking child (1–8 years) cannot cough effectively at the pool?
- Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich)
- Deliver back blows and chest thrusts only
- Alternate 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts (Correct answer)
- Lay them flat and attempt finger sweeps
Correct answer: Alternate 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts
For children, alternating 5 back blows with 5 abdominal thrusts is the recommended sequence for a severe choking emergency.
Question 6: What is the purpose of the head-tilt chin-lift maneuver during CPR?
- Control cervical spine movement
- Open the airway by extending the neck and lifting the chin (Correct answer)
- Improve chest compression depth
- Position the victim for AED pad placement
Correct answer: Open the airway by extending the neck and lifting the chin
Head-tilt chin-lift extends the neck and displaces the tongue, opening the airway for effective ventilation.
Question 7: A pool patron is found unresponsive near the pool deck with no suspected spinal injury. What is the correct assessment sequence?
- Check pulse → open airway → call 911 → begin CPR
- Check scene safety → responsiveness → call 911 → open airway → check breathing and pulse (Correct answer)
- Open airway → deliver 2 breaths → check pulse → call 911
- Call 911 → begin CPR → check airway → attach AED
Correct answer: Check scene safety → responsiveness → call 911 → open airway → check breathing and pulse
Scene safety comes first, then checking responsiveness, activating EMS, opening the airway, and assessing breathing and circulation.
NASCO Emergency Response & Safety Procedures 4
A lifeguard suspects a patron is experiencing a seizure in the water.
What is the immediate action?