American Lifeguard Practice Exam

If a victim is having a seizure in the water, what should you do?

1. Lift the victim out of the water immediately.

2. Call for emergency assistance immediately.

3. Support the victim with their head above water until the seizure ends.

4. Hold the victim’s arms to prevent injury.

The correct answer is: Support the victim with their head above water until the seizure ends.

Supporting the victim with their head above water until the seizure ends is the correct action to take during a seizure in the water. This approach prioritizes the safety of the victim by ensuring that they do not drown while they are unable to control their body movements. During a seizure, a victim may lose consciousness or control over their muscles, which can place them at risk of submersion. While lifting the victim out of the water immediately may seem like a logical response, it is not advisable during a seizure; doing so may lead to further injury or stress. Keeping the head above water allows you to monitor the victim's condition and provides them with the best chance of safety until the seizure subsides. Calling for emergency assistance is important in case the seizure persists or the victim requires professional medical help; however, this action does not address the immediate risk of drowning while the seizure is occurring. Holding the victim's arms could lead to more harm than good, as it may cause unintentional injury to both the lifeguard and the victim, and it may not prevent the victim from thrashing about during the seizure. Thus, supporting the victim in the water until the seizure ends is the most effective and safest response in this scenario.