Most people think serious diving injuries only happen in shallow water. In my experience, that’s not true. I’ve treated severe cervical spine injuries caused both by bottom impact and by improper entry angle — even when the water appeared deep. The force transmitted through the neck can destabilize the spine, and in patients with pre-existing spinal narrowing, the risk is even higher. Some of the most devastating spinal cord injuries I’ve seen in children and teenagers were diving-related. These