If you suspect a spinal injury in water, what should you prioritize during removal?

If you suspect a spinal injury in water, what should you prioritize during removal?

• A. Let the person stand and walk out
• B. Move quickly by rolling the person to the side
• C. Hold the head firmly and twist to exit water
• D. Remove the person to safety with minimal motion, using a backboard if possible.

Answer: (D)

Minimizing movement of the spine is the priority when you suspect a spinal injury in the water. Any motion of the neck or torso can worsen spinal cord damage, so the goal is to move the person as little as possible while keeping the spine in a neutral, aligned position. The safest approach is to remove the person to safety with minimal motion and immobilize the spine for transport. Using a backboard provides rigid support, helping prevent further injury during transfer from water to land and to EMS care. If a backboard isn’t available right away, maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck and move the person as little as possible until help arrives.

Minimizing movement of the spine is the priority when you suspect a spinal injury in the water. Any motion of the neck or torso can worsen spinal cord damage, so the goal is to move the person as little as possible while keeping the spine in a neutral, aligned position. The safest approach is to remove the person to safety with minimal motion and immobilize the spine for transport. Using a backboard provides rigid support, helping prevent further injury during transfer from water to land and to EMS care. If a backboard isn’t available right away, maintain manual in-line stabilization of the head and neck and move the person as little as possible until help arrives.