YMCA Lifeguard Practice Test

When assessing a standing victim with potential neck or back injury, how should the lifeguard stabilize the victim's head?

1. Place your hands on the victim's shoulders

2. Grasp the victim's head by placing hands on each side of the victim's face near or over the ears

3. Support the victim's neck from behind

4. Encourage the victim to lie down

The correct answer is: Grasp the victim's head by placing hands on each side of the victim's face near or over the ears

Stabilizing a victim's head is crucial when there is a potential neck or back injury, as improper movement can exacerbate the injury. The correct response involves grasping the victim's head by placing hands on each side of the victim's face near or over the ears. This method allows for maximum control and support of the head while preventing any unwanted movement. By securing the sides of the head, the lifeguard can help maintain spinal alignment and keep the victim stable until emergency medical help arrives. Other approaches, while they may offer some level of support, do not focus on directly stabilizing the head in a way that prevents further injury. For instance, placing hands on the victim's shoulders may not adequately support the head, particularly in scenarios where neck movement could occur. Supporting the neck from behind could also lead to a risk of head movement, as the head may tilt forward or backward. Encouraging the victim to lie down is not a suitable immediate response if there is a suspected neck or back injury, as it may trigger movement that could cause further harm. Thus, the method of stabilizing by grasping the head by the sides is the most effective and safest choice in this scenario.