First Aid and Emergency Response Flashcards

Which symptom most strongly suggests a spinal injury in a pool accident victim?

Answer: Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs

Numbness or tingling in the extremities indicates possible spinal cord involvement and requires immediate spinal precautions.

What is the preferred in-water technique for managing a victim with a suspected spinal injury?

Answer: Apply a vise-grip or head-splint and log-roll the victim onto a backboard

The vise-grip or head-splint technique maintains the head and spine in a neutral position while the victim is log-rolled onto a backboard.

In secondary drowning (near-drowning), what is the primary medical concern in the hours following rescue?

Answer: Delayed pulmonary edema and hypoxia

Aspirated water can cause delayed pulmonary edema and dangerous hypoxia hours after the initial incident.

A victim is found floating face-down in the pool with a suspected spinal injury. What is the FIRST action?

Answer: Stabilize the head and spine in a neutral position before any further movement

Stabilizing the head and spine in a neutral position must occur before any movement to prevent worsening a potential injury.

When extracting a spinal injury victim from the pool on a backboard, how should the board be positioned?

Answer: Submerged horizontally under the victim

The backboard is submerged and slid horizontally beneath the victim so it can be lifted straight up without bending the spine.

If spinal injury is NOT suspected, how should a lifeguard open the airway of an unresponsive drowning victim on land?

Answer: Head-tilt chin-lift

The head-tilt chin-lift is the recommended technique for opening the airway when spinal injury is not a concern.

What does 'dry drowning' refer to in aquatic emergency contexts?

Answer: Laryngospasm that prevents water from entering the lungs, causing asphyxia

Dry drowning occurs when a laryngospasm seals the airway upon water contact, keeping water out of the lungs but causing asphyxia.