NPLQ Pool Safety and Lifeguard 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A lifeguard notices a swimmer at the bottom of the pool who is not moving. What is the FIRST action to take?
- Activate the emergency action plan and enter the water (Correct answer)
- Wait 30 seconds to confirm the swimmer is in distress
- Blow your whistle twice and continue scanning
- Call 911 before entering the water
Correct answer: Activate the emergency action plan and enter the water
When a submerged non-moving swimmer is identified, the lifeguard must immediately activate the EAP and perform a rescue without delay.
Question 2: Which zone scanning technique requires a lifeguard to visually cover their entire zone before moving on?
- Random scanning
- Systematic scanning (Correct answer)
- Peripheral scanning
- Passive scanning
Correct answer: Systematic scanning
Systematic scanning involves methodically moving the eyes across the entire zone in a structured pattern to ensure no area is missed.
Question 3: A pool patron reports that another swimmer appears to be having a seizure in the water. The lifeguard's FIRST priority is to:
- Remove the swimmer from the water as quickly as possible
- Support the swimmer's head above water and signal for backup (Correct answer)
- Call 911 immediately before approaching
- Ask bystanders if the swimmer has a known seizure condition
Correct answer: Support the swimmer's head above water and signal for backup
During an in-water seizure, the lifeguard should support the victim's head above water to prevent drowning and signal for additional help.
Question 4: What is the recommended scanning interval for a lifeguard to complete a full zone scan?
- Every 60 seconds
- Every 30 seconds (Correct answer)
- Every 10 seconds
- Every 2 minutes
Correct answer: Every 30 seconds
Lifeguards should complete a full zone scan every 30 seconds to ensure timely detection of distressed swimmers.
Question 5: Which of the following is a passive drowning victim characteristic?
- Waving arms above the head and calling for help
- Treading water and making eye contact with lifeguard
- Floating face-down near the pool surface with no movement (Correct answer)
- Swimming erratically near the lane ropes
Correct answer: Floating face-down near the pool surface with no movement
A passive drowning victim is typically motionless and face-down, having already lost consciousness in the water.
Question 6: When performing a two-guard lift from the water for a suspected spinal injury victim, what is the MOST critical concern?
- Getting the victim out of the water as quickly as possible
- Maintaining in-line stabilization of the head and spine throughout (Correct answer)
- Ensuring bystanders are clear of the pool deck
- Removing the victim's goggles before lifting
Correct answer: Maintaining in-line stabilization of the head and spine throughout
Maintaining spinal alignment during a two-guard lift prevents additional injury to the cervical spine.
Question 7: Pool chemical safety requires lifeguards to know that chlorine and which substance should NEVER be mixed?
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Ammonia or ammonia-based compounds (Correct answer)
- Calcium carbonate
- Salt
Correct answer: Ammonia or ammonia-based compounds
Mixing chlorine with ammonia creates toxic chloramine gases that can cause serious respiratory harm.
NPLQ Pool Safety and Lifeguard 2
A lifeguard notices a swimmer at the bottom of the pool who is not moving.
What is the FIRST action to take?