Q

Q fever

A bacterial infection passed from animals to humans, characterized by high fever, chills, muscular pains, headaches, and pneumonia.

quadripedia

Paralysis in both arms and legs.

R

rabies

A deadly viral disease that can be transmitted to people through the bite of an infected animal (e.g., raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, dogs, cats, and farm animals). In humans, the symptoms of rabies include fever, headache, fatigue, then confusion, hallucinations, and paralysis. Once symptoms begin to manifest, the disease is usually fatal. A series of shots can prevent rabies in persons exposed to the virus, but they must be administered as soon as possible.

racing start

The start for a swimming race, which is either a long, shallow dive from the grab or track start position on a starting block (for strokes performed in prone position) or an arching backward thrust into the water from the backstroke start position at the side of the pool (for backstroke races).

recovery

The phase of a swimming stroke when the arms or legs relax and return to the starting position.

radiation

Energy found naturally in sunlight and sound waves or manufactured for use in x-rays and nuclear power. Exposure to radiation damages the skin and increases the risk of cancer. Excessive exposure to radiation can cause burns and/or radiation sickness.

radiation sickness

The effects of excessive exposure to radiation or radioactive materials, characterized by nausea, weakness, hair loss, burns, and reduced organ functions. If the exposure is severe enough, it can cell mutations or even death. Medicine can be taken to reduce the amount of radioactive material in the body.

rash

A area of raised, swollen, red, crusty, and/or blistered skin.

record keeping

The process of documenting injuries, incidents, and issues occurring at the aquatic facility.

refusal of care

A patient's legal right to decline first aid or more advanced medical treatment. When a patient refuses care, the lifeguard should accept this refusal only after he or she has clearly identified himself/herself and encouraged the patient to accept help. The lifeguard should also try to determine the reason for the refusal so he or she can attempt to allay fears or change circumstances. Any persistent refusal of care by a patient should be witnessed and documented. If possible, the patient should be asked to sign a release.

regulation

A rule or order issued by an executive authority or a government agency and having the force of law.

rehabilitation

Supervised, managed recovery after a serious illness or injury that may involve physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and treatment for pain.

reliable

Dependable and worthy of trust.

repetition

1. In training, swim sets of the same distance performed at close to maximum speed with rest periods in between at least equal to the swim interval. 2. In learning theory, one of the 4 concepts of learning in the mnemonic MARS: Motivation, Association, Repetition, and use of Senses.

residential care

A type of assisted living for the elderly who do not need full-time nursing care but who may need help bathing, dressing, eating, or going to the rest room.

respiratory diseases

Any of the various disorders of the lungs, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis (TB), lung cancer, etc..

responsible

Able to be trusted or depended upon; reliable.

responsibility

A duty or obligation that has been accepted or that is part of one's job. Lifeguard responsibilities are often considered primary or secondary depending on their importance. Typical primary responsibilities for a lifeguard include providing surveillance of the public in and around the swimming area, recognizing distressed and drowning victims and making rescues, providing first aid/CPR if necessary, and assisting other lifeguards in carrying out these primary duties. All other lifeguard responsibilities (e.g., teaching swimming lessons, completing records and reports, performing maintenance duties, participating in training exercises, etc.) are considered secondary. Secondary duties must never interfere with the completion of any primary responsibility.

resuscitation

The first aid and/or medical techniques used to revive a patient who is unconscious, not breathing, or clinically dead. These techniques may include airway management, rescue breathing, CPR, oxygen administration, the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), and/or advanced life support administered in the field or at a hospital.

resuscitation mask

A flexible device consisting of a clear, pliable dome-shaped mask and a one-way valve that can be sealed over a patient's mouth and nose so a rescuer can deliver rescue breaths to the patient without making mouth-to-mouth contact.

resuscitation orders

A type of advance directive meant to convey a patient's end-of-life decisions regarding resuscitation.

Reye syndrome

A rare illness that affects the blood, liver, and brain of a person who has recently had a viral infection. (It always follows another illness.) Signs and symptoms of Reye syndrome include nausea and vomiting, listlessness, irritability or confusion, delirium, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. If these signs and symptoms manifest following a viral infection, seek medical attention immediately. Reye syndrome can lead to coma and brain death, so quick diagnosis and treatment is critical. Treatment focuses on preventing brain damage. There is no known cure.

rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

A form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the joints of the body. RA is an autoimmune disease meaning that the arthritis is caused by the body's immune system attacking body tissue.

rhythmic breathing

A pattern of breathing while swimming (or bobbing in and out of the water) in which the swimmer exhales in the water so he or she is ready to inhale upon turning or lifting his or her head out of the water.

rickets

A disease brought on by vitamin D deficiency that causes weak bones in children.

RID factor

A term coined by Frank Pia to remind aquatic safety personnel why drownings can occur at swimming facilities with lifeguards on duty. RID is an acronym that stands for failure to Recognize the victim, the Intrusion of secondary duties that interfere with surveillance and rescue, and Distraction when the lifeguard turns his or her attention to factors other than his or her primary responsibilities. Avoiding the RID factor can help lifeguards focus on their most important duties on the job.

ringworm

A rash that forms raised, red rings on the skin. Ringwork is caused by fungus, not by a worm.

rip current

A strong, narrow channel of fast-moving water flowing seaward from the shore or beach. Sometimes, a rip current is erroneously referred to as a rip tide.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever

A potentially lethal tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Rickettsia ricketsii. Initial signs and symptoms include fever, nausea and vomiting, severe headaches and muscle pain, and lack of appetite. Later, the patient experiences joint and abdominal pain and develops a rash starting at the end of the extremities and moving toward the torso. Although called Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the disease occurs throughout the United States and the Americas.

Roentgen rays

Another name for x-rays.

rotary kick

Another name for the eggbeater kick. The rotary kick is performed in deep water from a vertical position with knees bent and spread apart by rotating each ankle in alternating circles with feet flexed while pumping the knees up and down slightly. The rotary kick is very useful for treading water, making lifeguarding rescues, performing synchronized swimming, and playing water polo.

rotation

The coordinated, periodic movement of lifeguards from one station to another as a way of providing variety during surveillance and rest as lifeguards rotate from a surveillance station to a break.

rotator cuff

The set of muscles and tendons that secures the arm to the shoulder joint and permits rotation of the arm.

rule

A prescribed guideline for conduct in a particular environment or facility or while involved in a particular activity.

ruptured disk

The tearing, bursting, or dislocation of any of the intervertebral disks of the spinal column. Also called a herniated disk.