Fun and Effective Lifeguard Games to Level Up Your Next In-Service

Kate Connell
Aug 7
9 min read

Updated: Sep 11

The HydroApps team loves ice breakers, gamification, and realistic lifeguard team trainings. So, it’s no surprise that we’ve gathered another set of Lifeguard Game Ideas for you to introduce to your team and introduce at your next in-service. Modify these to your needs, make them more general if you are inviting your entire aquatics team together for training, and combine them to make dynamic staff training exercises that keep things interesting for your staff and you!

Spot-the-Difference

Objective: To train lifeguards to notice small but important details in a busy setting.

Setup:

Create a “before” and “after” scene by making slight changes around the pool or in photos of a simulated pool scene.
Changes can include moving or adding small objects, changing a mannequin’s position (e.g., from floating to face-down), or having a “swimmer” change from relaxed to showing distress signs.

Rules:

Lifeguards are shown the “before” scene for 10 seconds. Then they must turn away while changes are made.
When they turn back, they have 15–30 seconds to spot the differences and identify signs of possible distress.

Goal: Lifeguards win points for each correct difference they spot, with higher points awarded for identifying distress-related differences (like a “swimmer” lying face-down).

Gamified Twist: Include a “time bonus” where lifeguards gain extra points for spotting all differences in under 15 seconds.

Find the Drowning Swimmer

Objective: To increase speed and accuracy in identifying a potential emergency in a crowded environment.

Setup:

During a training session have a volunteer quietly enter a subtle distress state, like treading water weakly or lying face-down.
Add distractions by having other volunteers act out normal pool behaviors, like chatting, splashing, or playing ball.

Rules:

Lifeguards must scan the pool and identify any signs of distress within 30 seconds.
They raise a hand or signal as soon as they spot a swimmer in need, describing their observations briefly.

Goal: Lifeguards earn points based on how quickly and accurately they spot the distressed swimmer, with more points for specific details like “motionless” or “struggling.”

Gamified Twist: Add multiple “drowning swimmers” with varying levels of distress and grant bonus points for finding and describing each correctly.

The Silent Scanner Challenge

Objective: To test lifeguards’ ability to spot subtle, “quiet” signs of trouble in a busy pool.

Setup:

During a swim session or with volunteer “swimmers,” introduce one person showing subtle signs of distress (e.g., weakly waving, head slipping under, etc.).
Other participants should perform normal activities, like swimming laps or floating, to create a realistic environment.

Rules:

Lifeguards have to scan the pool area and silently signal (like with a hand-raise) when they spot a person in potential danger.
They should note the type of distress and location of the swimmer.

Goal: Lifeguards score points for spotting the distressed swimmer first and explaining why they flagged the behavior.

Gamified Twist: Introduce multiple rounds, with each round including increasingly subtle signs of distress. Offer bonus points for spotting the hardest-to-detect signs, like weak treading or lethargy.

Timed Challenge

Objective: To build scanning speed and reinforce a steady, rhythmic approach to scanning.

Setup:

Use a stopwatch or timer and divide the pool area into zones.
Each lifeguard is responsible for scanning their designated zone within a set time frame (e.g., 15–20 seconds per scan).

Rules:

Lifeguards perform rapid but thorough scans of their zones. After each round, they report if they saw any distress signs.
If they miss any set “distress signals” placed in their area (like a mannequin or volunteer acting distressed), they lose points.

Goal: Lifeguards aim to finish each scan within the time limit without missing any signs of distress.

Gamified Twist: Increase the difficulty by shortening the scan time for each round and introducing more subtle signs of distress. Offer a prize for the lifeguard who consistently completes accurate scans under the time limit.

Distress Countdown

Objective: To improve lifeguards’ ability to recognize stages of distress, especially in an active environment.

Setup:

Use volunteers or mannequins positioned around the pool. Assign each one a different behavior to act out (e.g., a distressed swimmer, someone lounging, someone slowly slipping under).
Record a few brief video clips (about 10–15 seconds each) of different swimming behaviors, showing some common signs of distress.

Rules:

Play each clip and have lifeguards indicate the moment they think someone is in genuine distress.
After each clip, review their responses and discuss indicators they may have missed.

Goal: This activity sharpens lifeguards' abilities to spot signs of distress within seconds, allowing them to intervene sooner.

Gamified Twist: Award points for accurate timing on each clip. For added difficulty, include clips of “false alarms” to test judgment calls.

Spot the Sinking Swimmer

Objective: To help lifeguards identify an emergency where a person quietly slips under the water.

Setup:

During a swim session, have a volunteer or mannequin slowly submerge while performing a normal swimming or lounging activity.
Position the lifeguard at a vantage point where they can observe the area but may be slightly obstructed to simulate real-life distractions.

Rules:

Lifeguards must spot and call out the submerging swimmer immediately.
To increase difficulty, add a few distractions like a ball game or group of kids splashing around.

Goal: This drill helps lifeguards identify quiet or subtle distress signs, which are often overlooked.

Gamified Twist: Increase the complexity by placing multiple “swimmers” in the pool and having only one show signs of submersion. Lifeguards must stay alert to identify the correct target.

Distraction Drill

Objective: To practice staying focused and vigilant even with distractions.

Setup:

Stage various distractions around the pool: playing music, adding splashing children, or having an instructor ask the lifeguard questions periodically.
Place a volunteer in the pool who will discreetly show mild distress signs or gradually increase in distress.

Rules:

Lifeguards need to ignore distractions and focus on the water, looking for specific signs of distress.
After each round, debrief to discuss what the lifeguard saw and if any distraction impacted their focus.

Goal: Teaches lifeguards to prioritize scanning above all else, even in a busy environment.

Gamified Twist: Give lifeguards points based on how quickly and accurately they notice distress signs despite distractions. More distractions yield higher point values.

30-Second Spot Check

Objective: To help lifeguards develop a scanning rhythm for quick assessments of the entire pool area.

Setup:

Assign each lifeguard a specific section of the pool.
Give them exactly 30 seconds to scan their section, noting any “target” people or objects that are out of place or showing signs of distress.

Rules:

Every 30 seconds, the lifeguard moves to a new spot and repeats the scan.
Afterward, compare their findings with a checklist of items or scenarios to see if they missed anything.

Goal: Instills a steady scanning rhythm to ensure no area is left unchecked.

Gamified Twist: For every correctly spotted item or behavior, give the lifeguard a point, with bonuses for spotting tricky or subtle signs.

Hidden Object Pool Challenge

Objective: To train lifeguards to locate small, subtle objects in a busy setting, boosting attention to detail.

Setup:

Drop small items (like dive rings, goggles, or foam objects) around the pool.
Some items should be brightly colored, while others should blend more subtly with the pool’s color scheme to increase difficulty.

Rules:

Lifeguards have a set time to scan the pool and list every object they see.
For advanced rounds, have them identify objects of a specific color or shape.

Goal: Teaches lifeguards to spot subtle changes or foreign objects in the water, which may be signs of someone struggling or an unexpected hazard.

Gamified Twist: Divide lifeguards into pairs and have them compete to spot the highest number of items, with each team member getting a specific area of responsibility.

Taboo: Lifeguard Lingo Edition

Objective: To practice clear communication using lifeguard-specific terminology.

Setup:

Create a deck with emergency situations or lifeguard terms (like “spinal injury” or “submerged victim”), along with a list of “taboo” words lifeguards can’t say (e.g., “neck” or “rescue”).

Rules:

Players take turns drawing a card and describing the term or scenario to their teammates without using any of the “taboo” words.
Teammates try to guess the term before time runs out.

Goal: To build communication skills and ensure lifeguards can convey information in a way that’s clear and concise.

Gamified Twist: Introduce a rule where teammates can “challenge” the guesser to provide an additional safety tip related to the term if they guess correctly, adding an extra layer of learning.

Lifeguard Pictionary

Objective: To improve recognition and quick thinking on lifeguard scenarios and signals.

Setup: Create a deck with various lifeguard terms, emergency scenarios, and safety equipment.

Rules:

Players draw a card and must sketch the scenario or object without using words or letters, while teammates guess the term or scenario as quickly as possible.

Goal: To reinforce visual memory and fast recognition of essential items and situations in a fun and interactive way.

Gamified Twist: Add a “time limit” for sketches, creating a fast-paced environment where lifeguards must think quickly and work as a team to guess.

Flash Card Memory Match

Objective: To test memory and reinforce retention of key lifeguard skills and responses.

Setup: Create a set of cards with first aid actions and corresponding emergency scenarios. Each action has a matching scenario like “CPR” matches with “Unresponsive Swimmer”.

Rules:

Players take turns flipping two cards at a time. If they find a matching action and scenario pair, they must briefly explain the appropriate first aid steps before claiming the pair.
If the cards don’t match, they are turned face down, and the next player takes their turn.

Goal: The player with the most matches wins, strengthening memory recall for emergency responses.

Gamified Twist: Add “bonus” pairs that represent more complex scenarios, where players earn extra points for explaining multi-step responses.

Cards Against Emergencies

Objective: To encourage teamwork and humor while reinforcing knowledge of lifeguard situations and responses.

Setup: Create a custom deck of “situation cards” with humorous or exaggerated emergency scenarios (e.g., “A dolphin escaped the pool,” “Someone mistook sunscreen for mayo”), and another deck of “response cards” with appropriate lifeguard actions (e.g., “Apply sunscreen,” “Radio for backup”).

Rules:

One player (the “judge”) picks a situation card, and the other players choose the best response card from their hands to complete the scenario.
The judge selects the funniest or most accurate response as the winning card for that round.

Goal: To make light-hearted scenarios relevant and fun, encouraging a comfortable environment for discussing quick responses.

Gamified Twist: Award extra points if players can add a real-life example or lesson relevant to the “situation,” connecting humor to training content.

Hot Potato Rescue Quiz

Objective: To reinforce speed and accuracy under pressure.

Setup: Use a timer and a lightweight ball as the "hot potato." Participants stand in a circle.

Rules:

Start the timer, then toss the ball to a participant, who must answer a first aid question or act out a scenario (e.g., perform the first step in spinal management) before passing it on.

Goal: Avoid holding the ball when the timer stops, or face a “penalty” like demonstrating a rescue move.

Gamified Twist: Those who answer incorrectly or hesitate too long can “lose a life,” and the last one standing wins.

Trivia Bingo

Objective: Review first aid concepts in a casual, group format.

Setup: Create bingo cards with first aid scenarios or questions instead of numbers.

Rules:

Ask questions or describe scenarios, and players mark the corresponding square on their bingo cards if they can answer correctly.

Goal: The first person to get a line or full card wins.

Gamified Twist: Instead of a regular bingo win, winners must successfully perform a short drill or explain a skill.

“Where’s Waldo?” Scanning Drill

Objective: To simulate crowd scanning and practice spotting a specific person or behavior among many others.

Setup:

Print out several pictures of busy pool scenes or use a large image on a screen. You can find real images or create mock-ups showing a mix of swimmers in various positions (relaxed, playing, and distressed).
Alternatively, set up real-life scenarios in the pool with volunteers playing different roles.
Choose specific “targets” for lifeguards to spot, like a person with a raised hand, someone face-down, or a child with their head just above water.

Rules:

Lifeguards have 10–15 seconds to scan the image or scene and identify any target(s) you assigned in advance.
They should note details about what they see: “young child struggling in deep water” or “adult with head down and motionless.”

Goal: This drill reinforces rapid assessment, helping lifeguards identify signs of distress quickly.

Gamified Twist: Add a time element, scoring points based on how fast and accurately lifeguards spot the targets. The one with the highest score wins.

CPR Jenga

Objective: To combine CPR skills with a Jenga-like game for stress handling and focus.

Setup: Write different CPR or rescue-related instructions on each Jenga block (e.g., "show hand placement," "check for responsiveness," etc.).

Rules:

Players take turns pulling a block and performing the action or answering the question correctly.

Goal: The person who keeps the "tower" from collapsing while accurately answering questions wins.

Gamified Twist: If the tower falls, participants must perform a "mock" emergency response where they demonstrate CPR or another lifeguard skill.

Lifeguard games aren't just for fun, they're powerful tools that help build stronger teams, sharper skills, and faster response times when it matters most. Whether you're planning an end-of-season in-service or just want to shake up your training routine, these lifeguard training games can make a real impact on safety and engagement.

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