KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2949:2021  
ICS ##.### 
First  Edition  
  
 © KEBS 2021   
 Specification for aquatic spine boards for 
recovering casualties in controlled 
aquatic  conditions    
 
 
 
 
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT  OCTOBER 2021
DKS 2949: 2021  
ii © KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION  
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
National Construction Authority  
Tullow Kenya BV  
Synergy Marine and Aquatic Solutions  
Institution of Engineers of Kenya  
Green Drive EA Ltd  
Kenya Lifesaving Federation  
Gertrude's Children's Hospital  
Swim Safe  
Sports Kenya  
Stop Drowning Africa  
Kenyatta University  
National Council of Persons with Disability  
Equra Health Kenya  
Thika Swim Club  
Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya  
Depriss Group  
Equatorial Office Plus Ltd  
Kenyatta University  
Equatorial Office Plus  
Blehan Facilities Management  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed.  Suggestions for 
improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, are 
welcome.  
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2021  
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, C ap. 130 of 2001 of  the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 25 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Sta ndards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or tran smitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director.   KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2949:2021  
ICS ##.###  
First  Edition  
 
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  iii 
  Specification for aquatic spine boards for 
recovering casualties in controlled aquatic  
conditions  
 
Kenya Bureau of Standards,  Popo Road, Off Mombasa Road,  
P.O. Box 54974 - 00200,  Nairobi, Kenya  
 +254 020 6948000, + 254 722202137, + 254 734600471  
 info@kebs.org  
 @KEBS_ke  
 kenya bureau of standards (kebs)  
  
DKS 2949: 2021  
iv © KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Facilities Management Technical Committee under the guidance of 
the Standards Projects Committee, and it is in accordance with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau of 
Standards.  
This standard specifies the requirements for an aquatic spine board, whic h is a rigid stretcher like board intended 
for use in the recovery and transport of a casualty suspected of having sustained an injury to the spine whilst in 
controlled aquatic conditions. This the First Edition of the standard.  
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a contract. Users are responsible for 
its correct application.  
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following document:  
BS 8403:2003 Specification for aquatic spine boards for  recovering casualties in controlled aquatic conditions  
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance derived from this source.  
    KS 2949 : 2021  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  v 
  Introduction  
The increase in the incidence of injury to the spine whilst in the aquatic environment, particularly in swimming 
pools, has necessitated the development of a means of immobil izing the casualty on a board in a manner 
appropriate to that particular environment.  
The atmosphere inside a swimming pool is relatively hostile and it is necessary to ensure that the materials 
used in the aquatic spine board are resistant to that environ ment.  
It has also been recognized that correct use, servicing, cleaning, care and storage are necessary for aquatic 
spine boards to retain their performance characteristics and appropriate requirements for marking of the board 
and provision of an instruct ion manual are included.  
The standard provides the technical specifications for an aquatic spine board. The standard does not address 
the manner in which the board should be integrated into an aquatic rescue.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD  KS 2949 : 2021  
 
© KEBS yyyy – All rights reserved  1 
 Specification for aquatic spine boards for recovering casualties in 
controlled aquatic  
1 Scope  
This draft Kenya Standard specifies the construction and performance of aquatic spine boards for use in the 
rescue, from water, of casualties with suspec ted spinal injuries. It is applicable only to aquatic spine boards for 
use in controlled aquatic conditions.  
2 Normative references  
There are no normative references in this document.  
3 Terms and definitions  
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
3.1   
aquatic spine board  
rigid stretcher to immobilize and lift a casualty with a suspected spinal injury, which provides support to  
the whole body and has positive buoyancy  
 
3.2   
body restraints  
straps for securing the casualty’s arms, torso and legs to the board  
 
3.3  
head restraint  
device which is permanently attached to the head end of the board to effectively restrain movement of the  
casualty’s head  
 
3.4   
lying part  
part of the aquatic spine board on which the casualty is placed prior to immobilization and recovery from   
the water  
 
3.5   
controlled aquatic conditions  
static water, either indoors or outdoors, where standing depth is available and that is supervised by trained staff  
 
4  Requirements  
 
4.1  General  
 
The aquatic spine board shall comprise a rigid board and a  casualty restraint system. The casualty restraint 
system shall comprise body restraints and a head restraint, fitted with buckles or other fixings to attach  the 
straps to each other and to the board.  
 
4.2  Dimensions  
 
The dimensions of the aquatic spine board  shall conform to the following specifications : 
 
a) Constructed of 1/2" marine grade polymer;  
  
2 © KEBS: 2021 : – All rights reserved  
 b) Be 45cm (16") to 60cm (24”) wide;  
   
c) Have hand holds distributed to accommodate two to four rescuers; one or two on either side of the long 
side of the board  
 
d) Have a length not exceeding 2 metres  
 
4.3  Mass  
 
The weight of the board shall be between  3.5 kg and 10 kg.  
 
The board shall indicate maximum load it can carry.  
 
4.4  Loading capacity, dimensional stability and buoyancy characteristics  
 
4.4.1  After conditioning in accordance with Annex A, the board shall be tested in accordance with Annex  B. 
With the load in place, the deflection of each side of the board shall not exceed 25 mm. After  unloading, the 
board shall show no visible signs of permanent deformation, cracking or fractures.  
 
4.4.2  After  conditioning in accordance with Annex A, when  the boa rd is tested in accordance with  Annex B, 
the deflection of the centre of the board shall be not greater than 50 mm.  
 
After unloading, the board shall show no signs of residual deformation or visible damage e.g. cracking.  
 
4.4.3   After conditioning in accordance with Annex A, when the board is placed in the container of chlorinated 
salt water specified in Annex A and loaded in accordance with Annex B, it shall remain afloat.  
 
4.5  Construction of the board  
 
4.5.1  The board shall be equipped with a minimum of three handholds on each longitudinal side and with a 
minimum of two handholds at each of the foot and the head ends of the board. Handholds shall be a minimum 
of 120 mm in length and shall have a grip diameter not greater than 40 mm.  
 
4.5.2  The board shall be constructed in such a way that, when it is pl aced on a flat, level floor, the base of  
the handholds along both sides, and at the head end and the foot end is not less than 25 mm from the ground, 
to allow for easy gripping when lifting from the ground.  
 
4.5.3  The board shall be equipped with fixing p oints for the casualty r estraint system which allow the 
restraints to be moved to accommodate casualties  of up to  2 m in height. The fixing points shall be positioned 
such that they do not interfere with the handling of the board when it is being lifted, or  transported in an 
ambulance.  
 
4.5.4  The lying part of the board shall be self -draining to prevent pooling of water.  
 
NOTE The surface of the lying part of the board should be of a material that minimizes the potential for the casualty to develop  
pressure sores.  
 
4.6  Construction of the casualty restraint system  
 
4.6.1  Body restraints  (straps)  
 
The body restraints shall comprise a minimum of five straps or pairs of straps, 50 mm wide, of non -stretch 
construction. The body restraints shall be adjustable and shall be fitted with quick release buckles or fixings. 
Where the straps,  or buckles or fixi ngs are colour coded for specific restraining parts, the colour codes shall be 
as specified by the manufacturer.   
 
4.6.2  Head restraint  (Support)  
 
The head restraint shall be adjustable and shall be permanently secured to the board to prevent it floating  
away during application.  KS 2949 : 2021  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  3 
  
4.7  Materials  
 
The aquatic spine board , including the casualty restraint system, shall be made from materials which have  been 
shown to have the following characteristics:  
 
a) resistance to bacterial and fungal growth;  
b) resistance to the absorption of fluids;  
c) resistance to disinfectants;  
d) resistance to petrol and oil;  
e) radiotranslucence;  
 
NOTE  It  is essential that attenuation of all diagnostic radiation beams be kept to an absolute minimum.  
 
f) does not affect, and is not affected by, the magnetic field of magnetic resonance (MR) scanners.  
 
Where screws and staples are used, they should be non-corrosive and stainless and be capped with material 
that cannot cause scrapping or any bruising.  
 
The manufacturer of the aquatic spine board  shall obtain documentation from the manufacturers of the  
materials demonstrating conformity to these requireme nts. This documentation shall be included with the  
test report.  
 
NOTE The materials used should also be easy to clean.  
 
4.8  Resistance to chlorinated salt water  
 
After conditioning of the aquatic spine board  in accordance with Annex A, the body restraints and the head 
restraint shall show no visible signs of failure of the material or stitching, and the board shall show no  visible 
signs of surface damage e.g.  cracking, pitting, softening or delamination.  
 
4.9  Flammability  
 
When the board, and one sample each of the body restraint straps and the head restraint, which have been 
conditioned in acco rdance with Annex A, are tested; T here shall be no progressive smouldering or flaming 
ignition.  
 
4.10  Stability of markings  
 
4.10.1  Resistance to chlorinated salt water  
 
After the board has been conditioned in accordance with Annex A, all markings shall remain legible. The change 
in colour  of the markings shall be assessed . 
  
4.10.2  Adhesion of the markings  
 
After the test in 4.10.1  the markings shall be tested . The board contact adhesive sh ould be stronger than the 
skin contact adhesive, such that the strap stays adhered under various environmental condition s, and the skin 
of the casualty’s  forehead is not injured by the skin contact adhesive.  
 
The markings shall remain legible. The change in colou r of the markings shall be assessed .  
 
5  Marking and information  
 
5.1  The lying part of the board shall have printed on it, the following information:   
4 © KEBS: 2021 : – All rights reserved  
  
a) number and date of this Kenya  Standard, i.e., DKS 2949 :2021 
b) name, trademark  or other means of identification of the manufacturer of the board and the  
casualty restraint system;  
c) casualty head position;  
d) product name of the aquatic spine board;  
e) pictorial guide to using the casualty restraint system;  
f) order in which the b ody and head restraints should be applied;  
g) the words “TO BE USED ONLY BY TRAINED PERSONNEL”;  
h) the  words “ROUTINE CARE, MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING TO BE CARRIED OUT IN  
ACCORDANCE WITH INSTRUCTION MANUAL”.  
 
5.2  The aquatic spine board shall be supplied with an illustrated instruction manual giving the following 
information:  
 
a) method of assembly of the board and casualty restraint system;  
b) method for positioning the board under the casualty;  
c) application of the casualty restraint system to the casua lty; 
d) routine care, maintenance and servicing instructions;  
e) frequency with which any components should be routinely replaced.  
 
 KS 2949 : 2021  
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  5 
 Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Procedures for conditioning of the board and casualty restraint system 
prior to t esting  
A.1  Principal  
 
The aquatic spine  board including the casualty restraint system are stored in cold and then hot conditions  
and then immersed in chlorinated salt water (to imitate swimming pool water).  
 
A.2  Materials  
 
A.2.1 Sodium hypochlorite solution , containing 50 mg/l of active chlorine at a pH of 7.5 ± 0.05.  The solution 
shall be prepared immediately prior to use, in  water .  
 
A.2.2 Chlorinated salt water , prepared by dissolving 30 g/l of sodium chloride (NaCl)  in sodium  hypochlorite 
solution. The solution shall be prepared immediately prior to use.  
 
A.3  Apparatus  
 
A.3.1 Container , made of glass or stainless steel, with a sufficient volume that the item under test can be 
immersed in the chlorinated salt water at a ratio of 100:1 chlorinated  salt water volume to test item volume. The 
container shall be fitted with a motor driven stirrer rotating at a rate of 40 revolutions/min.  
 
The container shall be maintained in a temperature controlled  room at (20 ± 2)  oC in darkness.  
 
A.4   Procedure  
 
A.4.1 Place the aquatic spine board  in a freezer at ( –10 ± 1)  oC for 24 h then place it in an oven at (60 ± 2) oC 
for a further 24 h and then place it in a temperature controlled  room at (20 ± 2)  oC for 24 h.  
 
A.4.2 After conditioning in accordance with A.4.1  submerge the aqua tic spine board  in the container (A.3.1 ) 
filled with chlorinated salt water ( A.2.2 ) at a ratio of 100:1 chlorinated salt water  volume to aquatic  spine board  
volume. Ensure that the aquatic spine board  is thoroughly wetted. Start the stirrer and leave  the aquatic spine 
board  in the container for 12 h. At the end of this time, remove the aquatic spine board , rinse it in distilled w ater 
and dry by hanging it up in air at (20 ± 2)  oC. 
 KS 2949 : 2021    
 
© KEBS 2021 – All rights reserved   
 Annex B  
(normative)  
 
Test for loading capacity and dimensional stability  
 
B.1 Attach the ends of the board to rigid supports so that the board is held horizontally above a firm  horizontal 
surface. Ensure that all four corners of the board are the same distance above the surface.  
 
B.2 Measure the vertical distance between the centre of each side edge of the board and the horizontal  surface. 
Record these distances as L1 and L2 (where L refers to Length)  
. 
B.3 Distribute a load of 150 kg over the ful l width of the board as follows:  
 
a) Distribute 75 kg evenly over the centre 450 mm length.  
 
b) Distribute 22.5 kg evenly over each of the two adjacent 380 mm lengths.  
 
c) Distribute 15 kg evenly over each of the two adjacent 300 mm lengths.  
 
NOTE Sandbags may be used to achieve the loading.  
 
B.4 Remeasure the vertical distance between the centre  of each side edge of the board and the horizontal  
surface. Record these distances as L3 and L4 where L3 is the measurement on the same side as L1 is the 
measurement on the same side as L2 
 
B.5 Calculate the deflection of each side of the board as L1 – L3 and L2 – L4 respectively.  
 
B.6 Unload the board and examine it for visible signs of damage.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
© KEBS 2021  – All rights reserved  3 
 Annex C  
(normative)  
 
C1 Dimensions for aquatic spine boards  
 
 
 
 
Figure 1  – Dimensions for aquatic spine boards – Width and Height  
 
 
 
4 © KEBS: 2021 : – All rights reserved  
  
 
Figure 2 – Dimensions for aquatic spine boards – Board thickness