How to Carry Your Backpack With Crutches

As you ambulate with crutches, your arms and hands stay occupied by moving the crutches to support your weight. Despite an injury, many people must still carry books, work-related documents and daily necessities to work or school. Shoulder bags can be awkward and unbalancing, while small purses and clutches won't carry everything. A backpack enables hands-free carrying, allowing the injured person to correctly use crutches.

Things You'll Need

• Backpack

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Instructions

• 1

  Position yourself in a sitting position or lean against a wall where you will not lose your balance. Hold the backpack in your hands.

• 2

  Grasp the shoulder straps and insert your arms through each strap to put the backpack on your back. Take care to ensure you do not lose your balance. Alternatively, ask someone to help you.

• 3

  Situate the backpack on your back comfortably, adjusting the straps to make it sit higher or lower as necessary.

• 4

  Grasp the crutches with both hands and stand for a few seconds to ensure you have proper balance with your crutches while wearing the backpack. As you stand, hold your weak or injured foot off the floor and do not place your armpits on the tops of the crutches. This creates a "tripod" position where both crutches and your strong leg have contact with the floor.

• 5

  Walk with the crutches, taking careful steps. Stay aware of the backpack on your back to ensure that you do not lose your balance.