The ______ strap goes first, under the patient’s arms and over the chest.

The ______ strap goes first, under the patient’s arms and over the chest.

• A. GRAY
• B. RED
• C. GREEN
• D. BLUE

Answer: (A)

When securing a patient to a backboard, you start by immobilizing the torso. The first strap you place should go under the patient’s arms and over the chest because it anchors the upper body to the board, keeping the spine in alignment and preventing movement of the trunk during transport. Placing this strap first creates a solid base so the rest of the straps can tighten properly without shifting the torso. The color of that first strap helps you remember the sequence in your kit, but the key idea is to secure the chest area before anything else. Once the torso is stabilized, you can appropriately apply the remaining straps to secure the pelvis and legs, ensuring the whole body stays immobile and the airway remains unobstructed throughout transport.

When securing a patient to a backboard, you start by immobilizing the torso. The first strap you place should go under the patient’s arms and over the chest because it anchors the upper body to the board, keeping the spine in alignment and preventing movement of the trunk during transport. Placing this strap first creates a solid base so the rest of the straps can tighten properly without shifting the torso.

The color of that first strap helps you remember the sequence in your kit, but the key idea is to secure the chest area before anything else. Once the torso is stabilized, you can appropriately apply the remaining straps to secure the pelvis and legs, ensuring the whole body stays immobile and the airway remains unobstructed throughout transport.