Make a Splash with the 2026 Red Cross Lifeguard Practice Test – Dive into Success!

When administering ventilations with a resuscitation mask, it is essential to position the victim's head properly to ensure an effective seal and facilitate airflow. The correct approach is to tilt the head back slightly, which helps to open the airway by moving the tongue out of the way, thereby preventing any obstruction that could impede breathing.

Tilting the head back allows for a better alignment of the airway, making it easier for you to provide effective breaths. This position helps to create a straight pathway for air to enter the lungs, ensures that the mask fits securely, and reduces the risk of air leaking out. It's critical because a proper seal is necessary for the delivery of adequate ventilations, particularly in a low-oxygen or emergency scenario where every breath counts.

Other head positions, such as having the head in a downward position or turned to one side, may hinder the ability to achieve a proper airway alignment, leading to ineffective ventilations. Therefore, for effective resuscitation, the head must be tilting back slightly to optimize the delivery of air to the lungs.