Your patient is a 17-year-old male found face down in a swimming pool. He is unconscious but breathing. What is the best course of action?

In this scenario, the best course of action is to apply cervical and spinal immobilization in the pool. This approach is crucial because the patient was found face down in the water, which raises significant concerns for potential spinal injury, especially given the mechanism of injury typical in such cases (like diving accidents or falls).

Applying cervical and spinal immobilization directly in the water ensures that the patient's head and neck are stabilized while maintaining their airway and preventing any further movement that could exacerbate a potential spinal cord injury. Water can complicate the immediate management of unconscious patients, particularly concerning their airways, so managing immobilization before any movement is vital.

Once the patient is stabilized in the water, emergency medical services can effectively take over for safe extraction from the pool and transport to a hospital, ensuring comprehensive care and evaluation of the patient's condition. This procedure minimizes the risk of diving into the water, which could worsen any injuries while also addressing the urgent need to ensure that the patient's airway remains clear.