YMCA Lifeguard Practice Test

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Study for the YMCA Lifeguard Test with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations. Prepare effectively for your examination with detailed hints. Achieve success in your lifeguard certification!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

If you are caught in a rip current, what should you do?

Swim against the current
Face away from shore and do not call attention to yourself
Signal for help immediately
Float on your back to save energy

The correct answer is: Face away from shore and do not call attention to yourself

When you find yourself in a rip current, it is crucial to remain calm and conserve your energy. Facing away from the shore helps you to better assess your situation, as you can observe the direction of the current and any potential rescue opportunities. Additionally, not calling attention to yourself can prevent panic and allow you to focus on your strategy for getting out of the current safely. In a rip current, attempting to swim directly against it can lead to exhaustion, as these currents can be quite powerful. While signaling for help and floating can be suitable actions in certain scenarios, maintaining awareness of your situation and preserving energy is vital to increase your chances of reaching safety.