When spinal injury is suspected in the water — after a dive into shallow water, a slide impact, or an unwitnessed fall — the priorities are to stabilize the head and spine in-line, bring the airway above water, and minimize all movement until the victim is secured to a backboard. Water actually assists: buoyancy supports the body while the rescuer applies a vice grip or head-splint technique and glides the victim to a stable position. The victim is boarded in the water where possible, strapped and head-secured, then extricated horizontally by a coordinated team. Emergency services are called for every suspected spinal injury; if the victim is not breathing, airway and ventilation take priority over spinal precautions.
This video demonstrates how a lifeguard team stabilizes a suspected spinal injury victim in shallow water, positions and straps them to a backboard while minimizing movement, and coordinates the extr…