using a backboard in shallow water: head splint

This is an outline of a rescue and backboarding of a submerged spinal injury victim in shallow water using a head splint.

This is just an outline, the details are at: shallow 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 and as the primary rescuer in your text) rescues the victim using a head splint, confirms that the victim is conscious

rescuer 2 (referred to in your text as the assisting lifeguard) places backboard under victim

IF backboard is in place properly, the first lifeguard (primary rescuer) slides their arm that is under the victim towards the top of the head

rescuer 2 (assisting lifeguard) applies a head and chin support with one arm under the backboard

rescuer 1 (first lifeguard/primary rescuer) slides their arm out from under the victim

rescuer 1 (first lifeguard/primary rescuer) lowers the victims arms, goes to the head of the board, centers his/her tube under the head end of the board, supports the backboard with his/her forearms and holds victim's head with his/her hands

rescuer 2 (assisting lifeguard) straps victim, puts on head immobilizer

both guards get the backboard to the wall with the head end on the gutter/edge of pool

(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) and 1 climbs out

rescuer 2 climbs out

both guards lift the board up to the deck

both guards pull the backboard out, assess the victim's condition and provide care