Lifeguard Training - PE 242 Fall 2003 Skills Testing Scenarios

Information each student needs to know about the LGT r01 final skills testing process:

1. Each participant must perform the three skills scenarios satisfactorily to pass the course and receive certification in American Red Cross Lifeguard Training.
2. If a participant is not successful on the first attempt, he or she has only one opportunity to reattempt a skills scenario.  The participant is allowed only one retest of one scenario during the final skills test.  If the participant does not successfully perform one of the scenarios, he or she needs to see the instructor after class to schedule a retest.
3. Students are assigned to either an elevated lifeguard station or a roving station.  The simulated incident will will take place in one of their zones.  The lifeguard who is covering that zone should serve as primary rescuer with the other lifeguard performing secondary responsibilities such as calling 9-1-1, crowd control, brining equipment, and assisting with removal from the water.  Lifeguards will not know where the simulated incident or drowning takes place.
4. Participants not assigned "lifeguard" roles will act as patrons at the facility and will be given various activities to reenact such as playing, jumping in the water, and distracting the lifeguards.
5. One participant is assigned the role of "victim" and given instructions as to where to stage the simulated drowning or incident and how to behave -- active, submerged, or head, neck, or back injury.  Note that the "victim" must stage simulated drowning or incident in the zone of the lifeguard who is being graded on this scenario.
6. Begin the scenario test with each lifeguard  in assigned position and other participants behaving as patrons.  Instructor should observe the following in all scenarios: victim recognition, EAP activation including communication with other lifeguard, successful rescue using appropriate skills, and follow-up emergency care as indicated.

1. Swimmer is hanging on a lifeline in the deep end, lets go, then struggles and becomes active drowning victim.
2. Swimmers are jumping into the water, each trying to jump further out from the side of the pool.  One swimmer hesitates, leaps out and becomes active drowning victim.
3. Swimmer is doing laps with kickboard, loses board, struggles and becomes active drowning victim.
4. One patron in a group of swimmers in deep end becomes active drowning victim.

• Survey the scene and safely enter the water.
• Determine if the victim is distressed, active, or passive.
• Perform an appropriate rescue.
• Move the victim to safety.  (Does not need to be removed from the water.)

1. Swimmer jumps off the diving board or side of pool into deep end and never resurfaces.
2. Lap swimmer clutches chest while in deep water and sinks under surface.
3. Swimmers playing in deep water; one does not resurface.
4. Swimmer with kickboard begins to lose balance, loses board and submerges, not returning to surface.

• Survey the scene and safely enter the water.
• Determine if the victim is distressed, active, or passive.
• Perform an appropriate rescue.
• Move the victim to safety.
• Remove the victim from the water with the assistance of a second rescuer, using the two-person lift from the water with the backboard.
• Following basic precautions, provide care for a victim that has no signs of circulation.  (our class will complete this later in the semester)

1. Swimmer holding head complaining of pain, then goes into facedown floating position.
2. Swimmers jump off side in shallow end and one comes up floating facedown.
3. Swimmer hits wall doing flip turn, cannot stand.

• Survey the scene and safely enter the water.
• Determine if the victim is distressed, active, or passive.
• Perform an appropriate rescue.

Effectively immobilize and board the victim.

 Linda Delzeit-McIntyre