Upon activating the EAP and entering the water to rescue a victim with a suspected spinal injury, what should you do if the victim is not breathing?

When dealing with a victim who has a suspected spinal injury and is not breathing, the priority is to ensure that the victim is safely removed from the water to provide necessary medical assistance. The safest technique for extricating a person with potential spinal injuries is the Extrication Using a Backboard at the Pool Edge method, which helps stabilize the victim's neck and spine while removing them from the water. This method minimizes further risk of injury.

While initiating CPR is crucial for a non-breathing victim, doing so in the water can pose additional risks to both the rescuer and the victim, particularly concerning spinal injuries. Similarly, even though signaling for additional help and checking for responsiveness are essential steps in emergency situations, they do not directly address the immediate need to remove the victim from the water safely and begin CPR on a firm surface. Thus, the focus should be on safe extrication to ensure the victim's best chance of recovery.