Written Lifeguarding Practice Test

You are walking on the pool deck when the swim team coach suddenly collapses in front of you. During your primary assessment, you find that the victim does not have a pulse. You should:

1. Give 2 ventilations before beginning CPR

2. Give ventilations at a rate of about 1 every 5-6 seconds

3. Immediately begin CPR using cycles of 15 compressions followed by 2 ventilations

4. Immediately begin CPR using cycles of 30 compressions followed by 2 ventilations

The correct answer is: Give 2 ventilations before beginning CPR

If the victim does not have a pulse, the most important action is to start CPR immediately. A and B are incorrect as they both pause CPR for ventilations, which can delay blood flow to the vital organs and decrease the effectiveness of CPR. C is incorrect because it suggests using cycles of 15 compressions instead of the recommended 30 compressions. D is incorrect because it suggests using cycles of 30 compressions followed by only 2 ventilations, which is not enough ventilations to provide sufficient oxygen to the body.