Which body part is the last to be secured to a backboard during immobilization?

• A. The torso
• B. The head
• C. The arms
• D. The feet

Answer: (B)

The key idea is preventing any movement of the spine during packaging. Start by immobilizing the central axis—the torso—so the spine is held in a neutral, aligned position. Once the trunk is secured, straps on the legs and arms are applied to stop limb movement that could shift the body and disturb the spine. The head is kept unrestrained until the end because securing it too early can transfer movement from the rest of the body into the neck, potentially worsening cervical injury. With the torso and limbs stabilized, you can then finalize head immobilization (often with a cervical collar and head straps) to protect the airway and maintain proper alignment. For that reason, the head is the last part to be secured.