How to Ensure that Your Child's School Backpack Is Not Hurting his/her Back: BackPack Safety

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By N J
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It is very important to ensure that your child's backpack is not greater than 15% of your childs weight. For example, if your 6th grader weighs 100 lbs, their backpack should weigh no more than 15 lbs

In this a very important eHow article in which you will learn how to ensure that your child's backpack is not too heavy, make sure that your child is wearing his/her back pack properly, and to make sure that your child does not hurt their back while carrying their backpack.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Weight Scale
AirPack Backpack
School books, School Supplies, School Lunch and anything else your child carries in his/her back pack
Your Child

Step 1

Here is an example of the small airpack BackPack * A small AirPack back is good for kids who are 5' or for those who measure less than 15

Depending on the height and weight of your child, choose a small, medium or large airpack backPack.
* A small AirPack back is good for kids who are 5' or for those who measure less than 15" from the top of the shoulder to the natural waist.
* A medium AirPack back is good for kids who are between 5' to 5'5 or for those who measure less than 17" from the top of the shoulder to the natural waist.
* A large AirPack back is good for kids who are taller than 5'5" or for those who measure less than 17" from the top of the shoulder to the natural waist.
Step 2

Inflate the lumbar cushion as needed so that your child's lower back feels comfortable. Basically you want to unplug the nozzle and squeeze the bladder until your child says that they are comfortable.
Step 3

Put your child's school books, school supplies, their lunch into the AirPack Backpack (basically all the contents your child would normally carry to school everyday). Make sure you AirPack BackPack with the heaviest things (like text books) towards the back.
Step 4

Take the side straps of the AirPack BackPack and pull them tight to bring the load of the backPack closer to the center of gravity.
Step 5

Make sure that the shoulder straps are adjusted so that the lumbar cushion which is on the lower part of the AirPack BackPack rests of the small of your childs back. You may have to adjust the straps to get the right position.
Step 6

Ask your child if they feel the shoulder straps pinching under their arms. If that is the case, release the clasps at the bottom of the straps, then adjust the bottom of the strap to reposition the lumbar cushion at the small of your childs back.
Step 7

Have your child take off the backpack and put it on the weight scale. Weigh the AirPack BackPack.
Step 8

If the weight of the backpack is great than 15% of your childs weight remove some of the contents of the AirPack backpack. So for example, if your child's weight is 100 pounds, the backpack that your child is carrying should weigh no more than 15 pounds.
Step 9

Watch your child walk and stand with their backpack fully loaded. They should have a upright standing position when everything is positioned properly.

Comments

PegH said

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on 10/9/2009 Great article, great tips, never knew about that!!

samsons said

on 10/7/2009 Very Good article .I really liked it..Your article is posted in our ehowblog.com where more then 50 readers read everyday.Keep up the good work.