How should first responders care for a victim upon extraction from the water?

Providing warmth and assessing for injuries immediately after a victim is extracted from the water is crucial for several reasons. When individuals are removed from a cold water environment, they may experience hypothermia, shock, or other medical emergencies. Ensuring that the victim is kept warm is vital to stabilize their condition and prevent further complications related to heat loss.

Additionally, assessing for injuries immediately will help responders determine if there are any life-threatening conditions that need urgent attention. This could include checking for signs of trauma, such as head injuries, fractures, or potential drowning complications. By prioritizing both warmth and injury assessment, responders can provide appropriate care, making this approach essential in a water rescue situation.

The other options, such as leaving the victim in the water or only focusing on stopping bleeding, are inadequate for different reasons. Leaving someone in the water can expose them to further risks, and limiting care to only one aspect, like checking if they can walk or stopping bleeding, neglects the comprehensive evaluation and treatment that is needed for a potentially critically injured or hypothermic person.