Section 1- Element 3

Question 1

Example of early intervention

Answer 1

Stopping a weak or non swimmer entering deep waters by crawling along lane ropes or the edge of the pool

Question 2

How can lifeguards prevent accidents?

Answer 2

Reporting potential hazards to pool operator

Supervising pool users and intervening early when accident looks as though it may occur

Question 3

What is a critical intervention?

Answer 3

A person’s life is in danger- relevant EAP must be followed

Question 4

What is non-critical intervention?

Answer 4

An accident could happen or events may lead to something more serious

Question 5

What is the difference between programmed and un-programmed swimming sessions?

Answer 5

Programmed sessions have qualified instructors present

Un-programmed are monitored by lifeguards alone

Question 6

What is a zone?

Answer 6

The particular area of the pool the lifeguard is assigned to watch

Question 7

Where are zones detailed and displayed?

Answer 7

NOP

Question 8

What could impact on the area or type of zone?

Answer 8

A programmed session
Recreational area split into a number of overlapping parts
Zones around inflatable or fun session
Areas around diving boards, flumes or wave machines

Question 9

What is an individual zone?

Answer 9

An area of the pool that is being monitored by you and only you

Question 10

What is a shared zone?

Answer 10

Area of the pool monitored by two or more lifeguards at once

Question 11

What typical information may be included within a lifeguard zone card

Answer 11

Current activity
Number of lifeguards needed
Area of pool and zone
Specific hazards, rules and control measures

Question 12

Explain the 10:20 system

Answer 12

10 seconds to scan the zone

20 seconds to reach an incident

Question 13

What are scanning patterns and how are they used?

Answer 13

Scanning patterns are the different ways to scan your zone in 10 seconds
Used to view every aspect of the pool in great depth

Question 14

When scanning, how do you ensure the full zone is covered?

Answer 14

Scanning back and forth with different patterns so you have reached all corners, edges, bottom and surface fo the pool

Question 15

What lifeguard activity or behaviour could impact on your ability to maintain a suitable level of concentration required to supervise the pool?

Answer 15

Talking on poolside
Working in an unfit state (tired or hungover)
No mobile phones

Question 16

What techniques can be used to stay alert?

Answer 16

Checking your posture, position and scanning patterns

Head count

Question 17

What factors may affect the amount of lifeguards needed on poolside?

Answer 17

Size and design of pool
Activities currently happening
Pool features (wave pool)
Number of pool users at one time
Hazards

Question 18

Give examples of when a lifeguard might need to patrol

Answer 18

Intervene where there may be an occurrence of dangerous behaviour and educate the pool user BUT only when knowing static lifeguards are covering the full pool area and zones within.

Question 19

Benefits of using a high chair

Answer 19

Wide field view
Less reflection and from the surface of the pool
Clear view of bottom of pool, in all depths
Distances you from distractions, noise, splashing
Makes you more visible to pool user

Question 20

What can impact on the visibility of a zone?

Answer 20

Glare
Reflection
Blind spots
Poor lighting
Turbulence 
Water clarity

Question 21

What actions could you take if your zone visibility is impaired?

Answer 21

It is essential to inform your line manager immediately so suitable actions can be made to ensure swimmers safety

Question 22

What factors will affect the maximum pool user’s loads?

Answer 22

The type of session and equipment being used at the time

Floats, inflatables

Question 23

How can different types of sessions in the pool effect the maximum pool users?

Answer 23

Certain sessions appeal to more customers than other sessions.
For example many customers attend the floats session whereas the numbers of attendance in a morning un-programmed swim is very low in comparison

Question 24

Explain how life guards rotate through a high chair position

Answer 24

One watches the pool whilst the other comes down the steps. Then one leaving the poolside then watches the pool as the other goes up to the chair.

Question 25

What might be detailed in the ‘Lifeguard duties and responsibilities’ section of the NOP and what would be the lifeguard role?

Answer 25

Principles of safe entries 
Starting blocks
Diving boards, pools and areas
Safety signs
Ongoing training
  Lifeguard role- Understand and apply the rules of your pool communicating with the pool users to ensure the understand and act on the pool rules
   Attend staff training
   Follow training procedures

Question 26

An example of a type of communication and when it might be used

Answer 26

Whistle- Gets attention then you can give instructions
Verbal- Politely when instructing or educating pool users
Hand signals- When guiding a swimmer to a more comfortable area of the pool for their ability
- When gesturing an injury suspected spinal), the need stop something etc

Question 27

Why is good communication essential during your day-to-day duties or during an emergency?

Answer 27

Ensuring other lifeguards know what is currently happening in the pool when poolside duties are swapped
Being able to receive help from other lifeguards

Question 28

When and why would you uses a whistle?

Answer 28

One short blast- Calls for attention of pool user
Two short blasts- Calls for attention of another lifeguard
Three short blasts- Indication that lifeguard is taking emergency action
One long blast- Used to indicate to pool users that the pool is about to be cleared

Question 29

When might a poolside assistance alarm be used?

Answer 29

You or another lifeguard is carrying out a rescue
Serious first aid incident
Threat of violence or personal assault
Sudden lack of water clarity

Question 30

Give an example of a hand signal and explain what it means

Answer 30

Above head, fist to palm= Press assistance alarm
One hand pointing at incident, one finger pointing at your eye= “Look over there”
(4 MORE- Stop, Ok I understand, First aid assistance needed, call for attention)

Question 31

Give an example of an alarm system found witin a swimming pool

Answer 31

Poolside assistance alarm
Evacuation alarm
Audible alert (features to begin eg-wave pool)

Question 32

Example of emergency equipment and when it may be used

Answer 32

Two way radio systems
Telephones - Informing other lifeguards of recent events
Alarm systems- Alerting whole building an event has occured