Written Lifeguarding Practice Test

The term "active drowning" specifically describes a situation in which an individual is in the water and is struggling to remain afloat, indicating an immediate threat to their ability to breathe and survive. This struggle involves attempts to swim or stay up, but the person is clearly not able to do so effectively. Active drowning occurs when a swimmer cannot maintain their position at the surface of the water due to fatigue, panic, or other factors, which can lead to respiratory distress. Understanding this concept is crucial for lifeguards and rescuers, as it helps them quickly identify when someone is in urgent need of assistance. Recognizing the signs of active drowning allows for timely intervention, which can be lifesaving. The other options describe scenarios that do not align with the characteristics of active drowning. For example, floating calmly does not involve the distress associated with drowning, and previously indicating distress may not reflect the current state of the swimmer. A situation with multiple submerged swimmers could imply a different rescue scenario that varies significantly from an individual actively drowning.