What device should be used to protect an unconscious victim while crossing the surf zone?

To effectively protect an unconscious victim while crossing the surf zone, the use of either a snorkel or pocket mask is crucial for ensuring the patient's airway remains clear. An unconscious individual is unable to maintain their own airway, which increases the risk of drowning or inhaling water.

The snorkel allows for the administration of oxygen and can help keep the airway protected, assuming the victim is face down in the water. A pocket mask provides a method for delivering rescue breaths while also offering a barrier to ensure that water or other contaminants do not enter the victim's airway during the resuscitation process.

Using a buoy, life jacket, or rescue tube can help in flotation and keeping the victim's head above water but does not specifically address the critical need to maintain an open airway for an unconscious person. Therefore, the most appropriate choice for ensuring safety and minimizing the risk of airway obstruction in the surf zone is the use of either a snorkel or a pocket mask.