In-line stabilization is manually holding the head, neck, and spine in alignment so that movement cannot worsen a possible spinal cord injury. The rescuer's hands or forearms splint the head in a neutral position relative to the torso, and that alignment is maintained continuously until the victim is secured to a backboard or care is transferred to emergency responders. The skill demands stillness and patience: once stabilization begins, the rescuer holding the head directs every subsequent movement of the victim. In-line stabilization is applied on land or in water whenever the mechanism of injury — a headfirst impact, a fall, a dive into shallow water — suggests spinal involvement.
This video demonstrates the head splint technique lifeguards use to hold a victim's head, neck, and spine in alignment when a spinal injury is suspected, showing how the technique adapts to the victi…