Red Cross Lifeguard Practice Test

What should you do during a weather-related power failure at a facility?

1. Clear everyone from the pool.

2. Let patrons continue swimming.

3. Allow patrons to sit on the deck with feet in the water.

4. Monitor weather reports while patrons swim.

The correct answer is: Clear everyone from the pool.

During a weather-related power failure, ensuring the safety of all patrons in and around the pool area is paramount. Clearing everyone from the pool is essential as it reduces the risk of accidents and ensures that individuals are safe while lying in the water may present hazards, especially if there are electrical issues related to the power failure affecting pumps or lighting. Maintaining control and supervision of patrons is crucial; allowing them to continue swimming could lead to potential safety risks. The pool area can become unsafe if the infrastructure or necessary safety measures are compromised. Hence, evacuating the pool area prevents possible injuries and prepares everyone for a safe transition to the deck or facility where they can stay until conditions improve or emergency measures are implemented. Approaches like allowing patrons to sit on the deck with their feet in the water or monitoring weather reports while patrons swim do not adequately respond to the urgency of addressing unsafe conditions created by the power failure. The focus should always be on immediate safety precautions, which involve removing patrons from the water entirely.