skills and knowledege

check out this website for information on how to pack your backpack.

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/pack+backpack.html

this to learn how to hoist your backpack

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/hoist+loaded+backpack.html

Once you pack your backpack, how do you safely get that big honker on your back? REI recommends these steps:
With your pack sitting upright on the ground, use one hand to grab the pack's haul loop. (That's the webbing loop on top of the pack.)
Using a wide stance with knees bent, slide the pack up your thigh and let it rest. Your thigh should be roughly parallel with the ground.
Steadying the pack with one hand, slip your other arm and shoulder through one of the shoulder straps, pushing your shoulder in as far as you can.
Without any abrupt or jerking motions, swing the pack onto your back and slip your arm through the other shoulder strap.
Buckle Up! Buckle the hipbelt first, then cinch down the shoulder straps. Adjust the load-lifter straps (located at the tops of the shoulder straps) to pull the pack inward. Lastly, buckle the sternum strap. You're set to go! When you're ready to remove the pack, be sure to first loosen the shoulder straps.
Tip: As you walk throughout the day, tinker slightly with the tightness of your hipbelt and shoulder straps to help your hips and shoulders feel less fatigued.

this is to help you find the fit of the backpack

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpacks+adjusting+fit.html

Six Steps to a Great Fit
Your goal is to have 80% to 90% of the load weight resting on your hips. To achieve this, start by putting about 10 to 15 lbs. of weight into the pack to simulate a loaded pack. Follow the steps below in front of a mirror. Get a friend to help if possible, or visit an REI store for more assistance.

Step 1: Hipbelt
First make sure all the pack's straps and hipbelt are loosened.
Put the pack on your back so that the hipbelt is resting over your hip bones.
Close the hipbelt buckle and tighten it.
Check the padded sections of the hipbelt to make sure they wrap around your hips comfortably. Keep at least 1" of clearance on either side of the center buckle.
Note: If the hipbelt is too loose or tight, try repositioning the buckle pieces on the hipbelt straps. If this doesn't solve the problem, you may need a different pack (or hipbelt).

Step 2: Shoulder Straps
Pull down and back on the ends of the shoulder straps to tighten them.
Shoulder straps should fit closely and wrap over and around your shoulder, holding the pack body against your back. They should NOT be carrying the weight.
Have your helper check to see that the shoulder strap anchor points are 1" to 2" inches below the top of your shoulders.

Step 3: Load Lifters
Load-lifter straps are located just below the tops of your shoulders (near your collarbones) and should angle back toward the pack body at a 45-degree angle.
Gently snug the load-lifter straps to pull weight off your shoulders. (Overtightening the load lifters will cause a gap to form between your shoulders and the shoulder straps.)

Step 4: Sternum Strap
Adjust the sternum strap to a comfortable height across your chest.
Buckle the sternum strap and tighten until the shoulder straps are pulled in comfortably from your shoulders, allowing your arms to move freely.

Step 5: Stabilizer Straps
Pull the stabilizer straps located on either side of the hipbelt to snug the pack body toward the hipbelt and stabilize the load.

Step 6: Final Tweak
Go back to the shoulder straps and carefully take a bit of tension off of them. Now you're ready to go!


look at this if you are considering a new bag

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/backpack.html



hope you all will find it useful!

Ng Keng Chong
QuarterMaster
25022009
10.07pm