American Red Cross Lifeguarding Course

Learning Objectives

• Describe the characteristics and responsibilities of a professional lifeguard.
• Define certain legal considerations and apply them to situations that might be encountered in lifeguarding.
• Describe ongoing training for lifeguards.
• Describe what it means to work as part of a lifeguard and safety team.
• Describe the role lifeguards play in ensuring facility safety.
• Identify how to ensure the safety of patrons when weather conditions create safety concerns.
• Explain the reasons for common rules and regulations at aquatic facilities.
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively enter the water and approach the victim.
• Describe the roll that facility management plays in facility safety.
• Describe the drowning process.
• Identify the behaviors of a swimmer, distressed swimmer, an active and a passive victim.
• Identity and define elements of effective surveillance.
• Explain proper scanning techniques and identify tactics to overcome scanning challenges.
• Identify various types of zones of surveillance.
• Explain how communication with patrons plays a role in preventing injures.
• Explain patron surveillance techniques for facilities with special attractions.
• Explain and demonstrate lifeguard rotations.
• Explain patron surveillance techniques for organized groups.
• Explain the purpose and general procedures of an emergency action plan (EAP).
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively assist a distressed swimmer, rescue and active and passive victim and rescue multiple victims.
• Demonstrate the ability to implement an EAP and perform a rescue.
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively rescue a submerged victim in shallow or deep water.
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively perform feet first and head first surface dives.
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively perform a two-person removal of a victim from the water using a backboard.
• Describe what standard precautions to take to prevent disease transmission when providing care.
• Demonstrate proper removal of disposable gloves.
• Describe the general procedures of injury or sudden illness on land.
• Identify items of concern when conducting a scene size up.
• Demonstrate how to perform a primary assessment and place a victim in the H.A.I.N.E.S. recovery position.
• Identify victim conditions that indicate the need to summon emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.
• Understand how to safely and effectively move a victim on land.
• Demonstrate how to use a resuscitation mask.
• Recognize and care for a breathing emergency.
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively use a bag valve mask (BVM) resuscitator with two rescuers.
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively care for an obstructed airway for conscious and an unconscious victim.
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a team to implement an EAP, perform a rescue and perform emergency care.
• Identify the four links in the Cardiac Chain of Survival and identify the importance of each.
• Recognize the signs of a heart attack.
• Identify the steps for caring for a victim of a heart attack.
• Identify signs and symptoms of cardiac arrest.
• Demonstrate how to safely and effectively perform one rescuer CPR and two rescuer CPR.
• Demonstrate how to use a automated external defibrillator (AED).
• Identify precautions for using an AED.
• Demonstrate how to perform a secondary assessment.
• Identify how to recognize and care for a victim of sudden illness, injuries and shock.
• Demonstrate how to control external bleeding.
• Identify how to recognize and care for a victim of poisoning, heat related illnesses and cold related emergencies.
• Demonstrate how to immobilize muscle, bone and joint injuries.
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a team to implement an EAP, perform a secondary assessment and provide first aid care.
• Identify possible causes of head, neck or spinal injuries on land.
• Identify signs and symptoms of head, neck and spinal injuries.
• Demonstrate how to care for victims with head, neck or spinal injuries on land.
• Demonstrate how to perform front and rear head hold escapes.
• demonstrate how to five in water ventilation.
• Demonstrate how to perform a quick removal of the victim from the water.
• Demonstrate how to care for victims with head, neck and spinal injuries in shallow and deep water.
• Demonstrate how to rescue and active victim in deep water.
• Demonstrate how to rescue a submerged passive victim in deep water and provide care.