Spinal Injury Management in Water

Question 1

What’s a sign of a possible spinal injury?

Answer 1

Victim is motionless after a dive, fall, or collision, often face-down or on the bottom

Question 2

How do you secure a victim with a suspected spinal injury?

Answer 2

Place them on a backboard with straps and a head immobilizer, keeping the spine straight

Question 3

Why avoid sudden movements during spinal injury rescue?

Answer 3

To prevent worsening damage to the spinal cord, which could lead to paralysis

Question 4

What should you do if the victim is submerged with a spinal injury?

Answer 4

Swim down, stabilize the head and neck underwater, then bring them to the surface as a unit

Question 5

How do you work with a team for spinal injury management?

Answer 5

One lifeguard stabilizes the head while others secure the body to the backboard and remove from water