using a backboard in deep water: head and chin support

This is an outline of a rescue and backboarding of a submerged spinal injury victim in deep water using head and chin support.

This is just an outline, the details are at: Deep water backboarding

including: keeping the victim's face out of the water and keeping in-line stabilization maintained; that the person holding head/neck never lets go to do anything else; if things get messed up, you go back in steps carefully instead of giving up; that you have calm communication during problems (the victim is hearing everything you say!); checking to see that tubes are placed carefully and evenly; dealing with tube straps; telling each other what you are going to do so the other guard can be ready, and more.

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rescuer 1 (referred to as the first lifeguard/primary rescuer in your text) brings victim to surface using head and chin support,

rescuer 2 (referred to as the assisting lifeguard/additional rescuer in your text) stuffs the tube under the armpits of rescuer 1, confirms that the victim is conscious

rescuer 1 (first lifeguard/primary rescuer) heads to side or corner of pool

rescuer 2 (assisting lifeguard) puts tube under victim's knees to raise the legs

rescuer 2 (assisting lifeguard/additional rescuer) places backboard under victim

IF backboard is in place properly, rescuer 1 (first lifeguard/primary rescuer) moves their lower arm under the backboard

rescuer 2 assisting lifeguard) removes the tube from under the victim's legs and moves to the victim's head and places the tube under the head of the backboard OR if you have enough tubes, the rescuer cna take over stabilization at the head

rescuer 2 assisting lifeguard) supports the backboard with his/her forearms and holds victim's head with his/her hands

rescuer 1 (first lifeguard/primary rescuer) straps victim, puts on head immobilizer

both guards get the backboard to the wall with the head end on the gutter

(For testing proposes we need to see each guard do every step, so we ask for the next steps to always be done by rescuer 1 or 2 for consistency, In real life you might not do them this way.)

rescuer 1 (first lifeguard/primary rescuer) puts tube(s) under foot end if needed (we get an extra guard at the foot end for safety) and 1 climbs out

rescuer 2 assisting lifeguard) climbs out

both guards lift board to deck edge, lift board out of the pool onto the deck, assesss the victim's condition and provide care.