STARGUARD EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is the difference between a rule and a policy? - Answers- A rule applies to every
person using an aquatic facility. A policy is for specific circumstances or situations that
may not apply to everyone.
To be effective, rules should be - Answers- Written in a clear, concise language,
enforced the same way each time, and posted in a visible location.
Which of the layers of protection helps guide decisions and serves as a rule for specific
circumstances? - Answers- Policies and procedures.
A policy that requires non-swimmers to stay in waist-deep water may reduce the risk of
drowning. - Answers- True
What are three ways to minimize the risk of injury in an aquatic facility? - Answers-
Inspect for hazards, eliminate known hazards, and enforce rules.
Swimmers should not be allowed to participate in breath-holding or underwater
swimming contests. - Answers- True
In an aquatic facility, slipping and falling is usually caused by - Answers- running.
The StarGuard Risk Management Model consists of the following: - Answers-
prevention, surveillance, respond and rescue, emergency care, workplace expectations.
What is a good course of action if the behavior of another person is suspicious enough
for you to be concerned? - Answers- Notify your supervisor and call for police
assistance.
What does RWI stand for? - Answers- Recreational Water Illness.
Personal protection equipment (PPE) should, at a minimum, include which items? -
Answers- Disposable gloves, barrier (CPR) mask, protective eyewear, and footwear.
Why is disease more likely to be transmitted through loose stools (diarrhea), rather than
a solid stool? - Answers- If a person is ill with diarrhea, the stool can contain millions of
germs that spread quickly through the water.
What would you do if you were using standard (universal) precautions? - Answers-
Consider and treat all bodily fluids and bodily substances as through they were
contaminated.
,What is the proper ratio of bleach to water for a solution that will be used to clean up
bodily fluids and fecal matter on surfaces around the pool? - Answers- 1 part bleach to
9 parts water
If a break in your skin is directly exposed to a patron's bodily fluids, what is the first thing
you should do? - Answers- Wash the area with soap and water.
Which of the following are germs that can cause recreational water illness? - Answers-
Norovirus, cryptosporidium, E. coli, and giardia.
Occupational exposure to blood or the bodily fluids from another person puts you at risk
for which diseases? - Answers- HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV)
What should you assume about blood and other body fluids from all persons? -
Answers- The fluids are potentially infectious.
How long has the parasite cryptosporidium been known to survive, even in properly
maintained swimming pool water? - Answers- Up to 11 days.
What is the difference between distress and drowning? - Answers- A person is
drowning if the face and airway (mouth and nose) are covered with water and the head
cannot be lifted or brought to the surface to breathe.
How quickly a person progresses from distress to drowning varies depending on many
circumstances. - Answers- True
What happens when a drowning person tries to breathe? - Answers- The person may
swallow large amounts of water.
What determines whether water is "shallow" or not? - Answers- A person's height
Which is the correct description of drowning? - Answers- Drowning is a process with
three possible outcomes: survival without brain damage, survival with brain damage, or
death.
Which organs are at greatest risk for permanent damage during drowning? - Answers-
Brain and heart
It is correct to say that a person had a "near drowning" if he or she survives. - Answers-
False
Why is it important to get air to a person who is drowning as quickly as possible? -
Answers- To prevent or minimize brain damage, to prevent the heart from stopping, and
to keep the organs functioning.
, The length of time that a person is submerged is the most important predictor of
survival. - Answers- True
You can interrupt the drowning process by - Answers- bringing the person's face and
airway above the water and giving rescue breaths if the person is not breathing
normally.
A person always exhibits instinctive responses on the surface during the drowning
process. - Answers- False
Where might a drowning person be located in the water? - Answers- Floating on the
surface, floating just beneath the surface, floating near the bottom, and lying on the
bottom.
In what position might you find a drowning person in the water? - Answers- Faceup,
facedown, vertical, and/or horizontal.
A person who is unresponsive under the water will be completely motionless. -
Answers- False
What conditions can cause a person who is under the water to be hidden from view? -
Answers- Ripples on the surface caused by wind, water movement caused by people,
glare from the angle of the sun, and reflection off of windows.
If you interrupt the drowning process by making a rescue, a person may begin to
spontaneously breathe by herself, or you may need to give rescue breaths. - Answers-
True
To recognize distress or drowning, which three crucial observation skills must you
continuously perform? - Answers- Scan, target, and assess
What risk area is the most urgent, and where should you look first while scanning 3-
dimensionally? - Answers- At the bottom of the pool.
If you are providing constant and dedicated surveillance, how often should you watch
your zone? - Answers- All of the time, regardless of distractions or assigned tasks
What should determine the size and location of a zone? - Answers- Ability to see every
area of the zone and respond to rescue within about 30 seconds.
If a rescue occurs when several lifeguards are scanning adjacent zones, which lifeguard
usually would take over surveillance of the rescuer's zone? - Answers- The lifeguard to
the rescuer's left, unless another plan is in place.
When does a proactive rotation begin? - Answers- When you begin to proceed to your
lifeguard station.