On 7-23-2010 at about 1424 hours I was dispatched to the boat docks at Starvation State Park's main area for an injured person.  The ambulance had been paged.  I arrived and found victim laying in the back seat of a boat with bow numbers UT 5717 AA.  He was covered with towels and appeared to be in great pain.  I asked who his parents were and they said it was ok to treat him. I did an initial assessment and determined that his only injury was to his back of which he was complaining.  He also said he couldn't feel his hands or legs, although he could move them.   With the help of his family I placed a neck brace on him and then we slid a back board under him and strapped him onto it.  During this time I continuously monitored his vitals and when Ranger arrived I gave them to him.  Ranger prepared Oxygen for him and I placed the mask over his mouth.  The ambulance arrived a short time later and with the help of family members we lifted victim out of the boat and carried him to the awaiting vehicle in which he was transported. 

Upon interviewing the operator of the vessel I discovered that victim had been riding on a tube with several other people and had suddenly fallen for no apparent reason.  He complained of his back hurting and climbed into the boat with assistance and then they proceeded to the dock.  Nobody seemed to understand how the injury occurred unless it was from a jump of the tube that gave him a sudden jolt.   

I called the father of victim on 7-25-2010 at 2130 hours to inquire about his condition.  He told me that they had yet to determine the extent of injury and were in the process of making an appointment for an MRI for Monday.  He was presently still in some pain and was wearing a neck brace.

Duchesne                      