Ways To Use Backpacks - Travel In Comfort
Backpacks are commonly associated with kids carrying
books to and from school. However, there are many other
ways to use backpacks. Campers, hikers and
mountaineers have been using backpacks for decades. It
allows them to have their hands free when climbing over a
wall or fallen trees, using a walking stick when traversing
rough terrain, or climbing a mountain and still being able
to carry all of their gear, makes the backpack a vital piece
of their equipment.
It was from these groups that college students first got the
idea to use backpacks as book bags. Now most students at
all grade levels use backpacks to haul their school
supplies back and forth. One concern of parents and
pediatricians is the increased incidence of back, neck and
shoulder pain, and numbing of the hands and arms,
among kids who routinely carry heavy backpacks to and
from school.
When these symptoms could not be linked to any other
causes, it was found that the one thing all the children had
in common, was, that they all used backpacks. Obviously
the backpack in and of itself, is not the whole problem. The
load being carried, the way the pack is worn and the
construction of the bags, marketed as book sacks for kids,
all contribute to the problem. Orthopedists, pediatricians,
physical therapists, and chiropractors all agree that kids¡¯
backpacks, should not exceed 10-15% of their body
weight, even when using ergonomically designed
backpacks.
Some groups say up to 20%, that is a 10-pound pack for a
fifty pound kid. This is the equivalent of a 150lb adult,
having a 30-pound weight bouncing repeatedly against his
back, causing repetitive impact injury. Too narrow,
unpadded shoulder straps can pinch the nerves and cause
numbness and tingling in the arm and hand.
An overloaded bag can pull backward and cause the child
to lean forward to compensate, this can cause
compression of the vertebrae and pain in the neck and
shoulders. You don¡¯t have to abandon backpacks for your
kids. There are back friendly backpacks out there. You just
need to know what to look for. Get a bag that has wide
shoulder straps, padded back and at the very least a waist
belt.
Ideally, it should have chest and side straps also. There
are other uses for backpacks. Young parents sometimes
use backpacks for a diaper bag, when they are out for a
stroll in the park or are pushing junior in his jogging
stroller. This is also a good way to carry your water bottles,
keys and other incidentals at the same time. Travelers
often use backpacks as carry ons.
They fit easily under the seat or in the overhead bin, and
you still have access to your book, notes whatever. Many
people carry their laptops in their backpacks, when flying
or walking to work school. Occasionally, women will use
smaller backpacks as purses, again it leaves your hands
free to push a cart or remove items from the shelf. It is also
wise to use a pack when bike-riding.
It leaves you free to handle the bike safely. Crafters will
often use a backpack to transport fabric and other sewing
notions to a guild meeting, leaving both hands free to carry
the sewing machine.
Hang several see through backpacks to store fabric by
color. Hang them on a pegboard so that you can see at a
glance what you have. This would also work for knitters
and crocheters, as a yarn storage solution. As you can see
there are many ways to use backpacks. I am sure you
have ideas of your own.
About the Author
Elaine Smith is a freelance writer with advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of School Backpacks her numerous articles provide a resource of interesting and information. Visit her website for more info. http://www.backpack-n-backpacks.com
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