The purpose of the American Red Cross Lifeguarding r.24 Course is to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize, and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries, and sudden illnesses until Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel take over. Course topics include CPR/AED Professional Rescuer, First Aid, Swimming Pool rescues, Drowning prevention, Water safety, Pathophysiology of drowning in fresh water, Rescue breathing in water, Dry land rescues, Equipment, Communication devices, Chain of command, Emergency action plan implementation, Weather & climate, Flora & fauna identification, History of area, Culture, Managing general public, Medical and trauma emergencies, Prevention & response, Local, state, national, & international resources, Technology, Geography, Pool shape and design, Visibility, Checklist on before, during, and after, Lifeguard sessions, Positioning of lifeguards, Lifeguard ratios:swimmers, Swim tests, Water quality testing, and In-services.