1. Which action helps prevent injuries before they happen?
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Preventing injuries is a key lifeguard duty, and rule enforcement helps do that. Waiting until after an injury happens does not prevent harm.
Professional Lifeguard Practice Questions
The first part of the lifeguard certification written exam covers the lifeguard's professional role: what your responsibilities are, how a professional lifeguard behaves, and the legal concepts that govern the care you give.
Expect questions on duty to act, standard of care, negligence, consent, abandonment, confidentiality, and Good Samaritan protection. These ideas come up throughout the rest of the exam, so they are worth getting solid early.
Questions last reviewed June 2026 · AHA/ECC guidelinesHow our questions are made
What this part of the exam covers
- The lifeguard's primary responsibilities: prevent, recognize, respond, and provide care until EMS arrives
- Duty to act and the standard of care expected of a trained lifeguard
- Negligence — failing to provide the expected standard of care
- Consent, including implied consent for an unresponsive person
- Abandonment, confidentiality, and Good Samaritan laws
Practice questions
Choose an answer to test yourself — the explanation appears once you answer.
2. When is implied consent used?
Not quite
Implied consent is used when a person is unresponsive and cannot give permission. A lifeguard can start care because the person cannot answer.
3. What does standard of care mean for a lifeguard?
Not quite
Standard of care is the level of care expected from a lifeguard with the same training. It is not based on convenience, age, or a bystander’s opinion.
4. Which behavior shows reliability?
Not quite
Reliable lifeguards show up ready to work and stay alert. Consistent behavior helps the team and improves safety.
5. A conscious adult says, 'Do not help me.' What should the lifeguard do if the person is able to refuse?
Not quite
A conscious person who is able to refuse care should have that choice respected. The lifeguard should follow the proper response process and not force care.
6. What is a lifeguard’s main job at a facility?
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A lifeguard’s main role is to prevent emergencies when possible and respond quickly when they happen. The lifeguard also continues care until EMS takes over.
7. Good Samaritan laws are meant to protect people who
Not quite
Good Samaritan laws protect people who choose to help in an emergency and act in good faith with reasonable care. They do not protect reckless or careless actions.
8. When should a lifeguard try to get consent before giving care?
Not quite
If a person is conscious and able to understand, the lifeguard should ask for consent before giving care. An unresponsive person is different because consent is implied.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is duty to act for a lifeguard?
- While on duty, a lifeguard has a legal responsibility to act in an emergency within the scope of their training. Off duty, that legal duty generally does not apply, though many lifeguards still help.
- What is the difference between negligence and abandonment?
- Negligence is failing to provide the standard of care a trained lifeguard should provide, causing harm. Abandonment is stopping care once you have started before someone of equal or higher training takes over.
- How many questions are on the lifeguard written exam?
- The certification written exam is commonly 50 multiple-choice questions with a passing score around 80% (40 correct). Always confirm the exact format with your instructor.
More lifeguard exam topics
- Facility Safety Practice Questions
- Surveillance and Victim Recognition Practice Questions
- Injury Prevention Practice Questions
- Emergency Action Plan (EAP) Practice Questions
- Water Rescue Skills Practice Questions
- Before Providing Care & Victim Assessment Practice Questions
- Breathing Emergencies Practice Questions
- CPR & Cardiac Emergencies Practice Questions
- First Aid Practice Questions
- Head, Neck & Spinal Injury Practice Questions