American Lifeguard Practice Exam

In the event of a drowning incident, what should you do first?

1. Check the breathing of the victim

2. Call for emergency help

3. Perform rescue breath immediately

4. Size up the scene for safety

The correct answer is: Size up the scene for safety

In the event of a drowning incident, the first critical step is to size up the scene for safety. This involves assessing the environment to ensure that it is safe for both the rescuer and the victim. Checking for potential hazards such as strong currents, rough conditions, or obstacles nearby can prevent further accidents and ensure that any response is effective and safe. Ensuring personal safety before intervening allows the rescuer to act appropriately without endangering themselves or others. Once safety is confirmed, the rescuer can proceed to check the victim's breathing, call for emergency aid, or perform rescue breaths as needed, but only after confirming that it is safe to do so.