Rehab

OTs celebrate National School Backpack Awareness Day

Rehab Regs, September 23, 2005

Occupational therapy (OT) students from Durham (NC) Technical Community College took to local campuses to perform backpack weigh-ins for fellow students and those in Middle College High School in recognition of National School Backpack Awareness Day on Wednesday, according to the Herald-Sun.

The OT students weighed the college and high school students, as well as their backpacks, to make sure the weight of the backpack didn't exceed the recommended maximum of 15% of a person's body weight.

A number of students exceeded the recommended backpack weight, with some backpacks weighing more than 25% of their body weight.

The OT students were pleased to see that some students with heavier packs had them on wheels with extendable handles.

The OT students also informed their subjects about the American Occupational Therapy Association, which sponsors the awareness day, about other backpack guidelines, including:

  • Use both straps and the waist belt
  • Keep straps snug and load high on the back
  • Load heaviest items closest to the student's back

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