Final answer:
An unconscious victim with a suspected spinal injury must be carefully rescued and can still be saved through effective resuscitation. Misjudgments of depth due to light refraction can cause spinal injuries when diving. Removing the victim from water before starting CPR is vital as CPR is ineffective in the water.
Step-by-step explanation:
A submerged unconscious victim in deep water suspected of having a spinal injury is in a critical condition that necessitates immediate and cautious rescue and first aid efforts.
One important reality to consider is that the muscular spasm that seals the airway in a drowning incident may prevent both air and water from entering the lungs, which can be mistaken for a sign of safety. It's crucial to understand that such a victim can still be saved with proper resuscitation techniques.
Diving into unfamiliar bodies of water can result in neck and spinal injuries because objects in the water often appear to be at a shallower depth due to the refraction of light, leading to misjudgment of the actual depth. Therefore, paying heed to no diving signs is essential to avoid such devastating injuries.
Addressing the myths, such as the victim shouting for help, helps in proper identification and treatment of drowning victims, leading to better survival outcomes.
One important myth to dispel is that CPR should be administered immediately in the water. The reality is that the first priority is to remove the drowning person from the water, as CPR is ineffective in water. This underscores the importance of quick retrieval and then performance of CPR on stable ground.