A 13-year-old girl is found face down in a pool after diving. After you enter the water safely, what is the recommended method to move her?

• A. Rotate the entire upper half of her body as a unit, supporting her head and neck.
• B. Lift the legs first to surface the body.
• C. Push the chest to the surface to resuscitate.
• D. Grab the arms and drag the person sideways.

Answer: (A)

When someone is face-down in water, the priority is to protect the airway and keep the spine in neutral alignment. The best approach is to turn the person as a single unit, keeping the head and neck supported throughout the movement. This controlled roll brings the airway to the surface quickly and allows you to assess breathing or start rescue care while minimizing movement of the cervical spine. Lifting the legs first can cause instability and rotation of the head, not helping airway protection or spinal safety. Pushing the chest to the surface isn’t a valid rescue maneuver and could force water into the lungs. Grabbing the arms and dragging sideways can produce jerky movements and risk further injury. The goal is a smooth, unitary rotation to a face-up position with the airway exposed and ready for evaluation.