What should be the lifeguard's priority if a swimmer is in visible distress?

When a swimmer is visibly in distress, the lifeguard's priority must be to initiate the rescue promptly. Immediate action is essential in situations where a swimmer is struggling to keep their head above water or appears to be in trouble. Delaying the response can exacerbate the situation and increase the risk to the swimmer’s safety.

Initiating the rescue can involve entering the water or using a flotation device or rescue board, depending on the circumstances and the lifeguard’s training. The primary goal is to reach the swimmer as quickly as possible to assist them and prevent drowning or serious injury.

Other options, such as waiting for the swimmer to signal again, notifying other lifeguards, or assessing the swimmer's abilities, would take unnecessary time and could lead to dire consequences for the distressed swimmer. The appropriate course of action in an emergency is to act swiftly and efficiently to ensure the swimmer’s safety.