Written Lifeguarding Practice Test

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Study for the Written Lifeguarding Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Practice this question and more.

You and another lifeguard find an unresponsive adult on the locker room floor. The other lifeguard goes to summon EMS personnel. You form an initial impression, complete a primary assessment and find that the victim has a pulse but is not breathing. Which of the following should you do next?

Give back blows and chest thrusts.
Give ventilations at a rate of 1 about every 5-6 seconds.
Perform CPR.
Perform a finger sweep of the victim's mouth.

The correct answer is: Give back blows and chest thrusts.

After forming an initial impression and completing a primary assessment, the next step would be to check the victim's airway. Option A, giving back blows and chest thrusts, is the most appropriate step to take in this situation as the victim is not breathing but still has a pulse. This technique, known as the Heimlich maneuver, is used to clear the airway of any obstructions. Options B and C, giving ventilations and performing CPR, are not necessary at this point as the victim still has a pulse. Option D, performing a finger sweep of the victim's mouth, should only be done if there is an obvious obstruction in the airway. In this situation, it is best to first try the Heimlich maneuver before attempting a finger sweep.