It sounds odd – but as I’ve stated in an earlier blog, there really is a right way and a wrong way to fall in order to reduce the risk of broken bones, sprains, or even head injuries. The key is to know the right moves and then practice them. The following tips have been taught in some of our safety training courses for clients. Try incorporating them in your next safety meeting and encourage workers to practice the art of falling.
Backwards Fall: (this will protect your head)
- Sit on the floor with your legs extended flat out in front of your body.
- As you start leaning backwards toward the floor, tuck your head forward with your chin toward your chest and lift your knees toward your chest.
- As you roll back, extend your arms vertically away from the body and slap the ground with your palms and forearms.
Sideways Fall: (tough one but it will work with practice)
- Again, sit on the floor with your legs extended out in front of your body.
- Slowly start rolling to one side and lay your arm (on the side you are rolling to) out to the side, parallel with the body.
- Lift your head toward the shoulder of the opposite side of the direction of the fall.
Forward Fall:
- Start in a kneeling position and start leaning forward.
- As you fall forward, change direction to one side as if you are going to roll onto your shoulder.
- At the same time, lay your arm parallel to the body so that the forearm, NOT THE WRIST, makes contact with the ground
- At the same time, lift the head towards the opposite side of the body.
There are some websites we reference to give you a good idea of how these falls work. Check out http://www.senioryears.com/fallsart.html and http://www.gamefall.com
These tips will work if practiced enough that it becomes second nature. It’s really a shame they don’t teach this in pre-school!