You are a lifeguard on surveillance duty during a busy free swim at a Cub Scout family camp. What should you do?

Focusing on the role of a lifeguard during a busy free swim, the most effective action in this scenario is to scan all areas in your assigned zone, wear your hip pack, and carry your rescue tube. This approach ensures that you maintain awareness of all swimmers and their activities, allowing you to respond quickly to any emergencies or potential risks.

Using your hip pack provides essential tools needed for immediate response, such as whistles or rescue gear, while having the rescue tube at your side enables you to perform rescues efficiently if someone is in distress. Constantly scanning your assigned area is crucial in busy settings as it helps you identify potential hazards, monitor swimmer behavior, and ensure that everyone is safe.

Engaging with swimmers and taking breaks are also important aspects of lifeguarding. However, they are secondary to the primary responsibility of vigilant observation during a busy free swim. Prioritizing safety by maintaining a comprehensive view of the environment and ensuring readiness to assist is vital for effective lifeguarding. In this way, the designated action best aligns with the core responsibilities of a lifeguard at a camp.