NPLQ Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NPLQ facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is the best way to treat a burn injury? → Run cold water over the burn for at least 10 minutes
2. Which symptom most strongly suggests a spinal injury in a pool accident victim? → Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
3. What is the key distinguishing feature of heat stroke compared to heat exhaustion? → Hot dry (or minimally moist) skin combined with altered mental status
4. A patron known to have a bee-sting allergy is stung and develops throat swelling and difficulty breathing. What should be done first? → Administer the epinephrine auto-injector and activate EMS
5. What is the recommended method to enter a pool during an emergency rescue? → Slide-in entry
6. Which pH range is considered optimal for pool water to be safe and comfortable for swimmers? → 7.2–7.8
7. How should a lifeguard signal an 'all clear' to colleagues after a minor incident has been resolved? → By two short whistle blasts
8. A lifeguard performing CPR on an adult victim should deliver chest compressions at which rate? → 100–120 compressions per minute
9. A patron reports seeing someone submerged at the bottom of the pool. What must the lifeguard do? → Immediately treat the report as a real emergency and activate the EAP
10. Which of the following is a passive drowning victim characteristic? → Floating face-down near the pool surface with no movement
11. What compression-to-ventilation ratio is recommended for single-rescuer adult CPR? → 30:2
12. A patron complains of chest tightness and difficulty breathing after entering an indoor pool. The MOST likely cause related to pool chemistry is: → High chloramine (combined chlorine) levels irritating the respiratory tract
13. Which position should be used for an unconscious adult who is breathing normally after resuscitation? → Recovery position (lateral)
14. Which are the three various types of rescues? → Poolside, in water, special equipment
15. Immediately after an AED delivers a shock, what should the rescuer do? → Resume CPR beginning with chest compressions
16. The Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 applies to which group of pool visitors? → Lawful visitors, such as paying swimmers and members
17. What does the term 'duty of care' mean in the context of pool lifeguarding? → A legal obligation to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to others
18. Under NPLQ guidelines, when should a lifeguard perform a pool bottom check? → Before opening and periodically throughout operational hours
19. Which chemical is commonly used to raise pool pH when it falls below 7.2? → Sodium carbonate (soda ash)
20. What does the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) help pool operators determine? → Whether pool water is corrosive, balanced, or scale-forming
21. How many CPR cycles should you perform on an adult in two minutes? → 5
22. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, who has the primary duty of care for health and safety at a swimming pool? → The employer (pool operator) and, secondarily, employees
23. What is a 'near-miss incident' in a pool safety context? → An event that had the potential to cause injury or drowning but did not result in harm
24. The Resuscitation Council (UK) recommends that compression-only CPR is appropriate when: → A bystander is unwilling or unable to give rescue breaths
25. In secondary drowning (near-drowning), what is the primary medical concern in the hours following rescue? → Delayed pulmonary edema and hypoxia
26. A casualty vomits while you are performing CPR. What is the correct action? → Roll the casualty to the side, clear the airway, then resume CPR as quickly as possible
27. What is the most common cause of cloudy or turbid pool water? → Poor filtration, high pH, or insufficient sanitizer allowing particulates to accumulate
28. During a pool inspection before opening, a lifeguard notices cloudy water with visibility less than half the pool depth. The correct action is to: → Close the pool until water clarity meets safety standards
29. What is the maximum recommended continuous duty time for a lifeguard before a required rotation or break? → 60 minutes
30. A swimmer exits the pool complaining of chest pain, left arm pain, and shortness of breath. What should the lifeguard do first? → Help the person rest comfortably and call emergency medical services right away