When should a lifeguard activate emergency medical services?

Activating emergency medical services (EMS) is essential in situations where a victim is unresponsive or exhibits severe symptoms, making choice C the most appropriate answer. This is because an unresponsive victim may require immediate medical attention to address potentially life-threatening conditions. Additionally, severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or serious bleeding, indicate that the situation could escalate without prompt intervention.

Lifeguards are trained to assess the severity of an incident quickly and must prioritize the safety and health of the victim. When a victim shows these critical signs, it becomes imperative to call EMS to ensure that the necessary medical care is provided as soon as possible. This action can significantly increase the chances of a positive outcome for the victim.

Other choices do not encompass the same level of urgency or specificity. For instance, the idea of activating EMS only for severe injuries may overlook important cases where other life-threatening conditions could arise, while relying solely on personal judgement or bystander requests for activation could delay the assistance needed in critical circumstances. Lifeguards are trained to err on the side of caution and activate EMS when they identify any potentially serious situation.