The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by:

In the context of unwitnessed water-related incidents, the assumption of a possible spinal injury is critical due to the nature of such accidents. When a person is in water and an incident occurs, like diving or encountering an obstacle, there is a significant risk of trauma that could lead to a spinal injury. This is particularly true if the victim was submerged and unable to call for help or was not seen during the incident, making it difficult to assess the cause of potential injury.

When an individual falls or dives into water and is not witnessed, the mechanism of injury would typically involve a sudden impact, which is notorious for causing spinal cord injuries. Therefore, EMTs are trained to take precautions when handling such patients, including immobilization and careful extraction from the water, to prevent further damage to the spine.

The other options, while significant in certain contexts, do not encompass the immediate risks associated with unwitnessed water incidents in the same way that spinal injury does. An air embolism, for instance, is a concern for divers but may not be applicable if the person is not submerged deeply or if the specific circumstances of the incident do not suggest such a risk. Similarly, assumptions regarding alcohol intoxication or cold-water immersion may be relevant but are not as