Never try to catch yourself with outstretched hands; instead, relax your body and roll to minimize injury.
Understanding the Danger: Why Falling Is Risky
Falling is one of the most common causes of injuries worldwide. Whether you’re walking on a slippery surface, tripping over an obstacle, or losing your balance suddenly, the way you react can make a huge difference in the outcome. Many people instinctively try to break their fall by stretching out their hands or stiffening their body, which often leads to broken wrists, sprains, or worse injuries.
The key to reducing harm lies in knowing what behaviors to avoid during a fall. Panic and poor reflexes can cause you to make mistakes that increase your risk of serious injury. Learning what should not be done if you start to fall is just as important as knowing how to protect yourself properly.
Why You Shouldn’t Reach Out With Your Hands
When people begin falling, the natural reaction is to put their hands out straight in front of them in an attempt to stop or slow the fall. This instinct might seem helpful but is actually dangerous. The force of the body hitting the ground transfers directly through the arms, causing wrist fractures or elbow injuries.
Instead of bracing yourself with your hands, experts recommend keeping your arms bent and close to your body. This reduces the impact on your upper limbs and allows you to use safer techniques like rolling or tucking in.
The Science Behind Wrist Injuries From Falls
Your wrists are not designed to absorb heavy impact forces. They’re flexible joints meant for delicate movements rather than sudden shocks. When you extend your hands fully during a fall, all your body weight slams onto these small bones and ligaments.
Studies show that wrist fractures are among the most common injuries from falls, especially when people try to catch themselves with outstretched arms. This explains why “What Should You Not Do If You Start To Fall?” often centers on avoiding this reflex.
Don’t Stiffen Your Body: Stay Loose Instead
Another mistake many make during a fall is stiffening up completely. When your muscles lock up, they cannot absorb shock effectively. A rigid body hits hard surfaces with full force concentrated on specific points like hips, shoulders, or head.
Relaxing your muscles helps spread out the impact across a larger area and reduces injury severity. Think of it like falling into water versus hitting concrete; if you stay loose, you can roll or bounce slightly instead of taking a harsh blow.
How Relaxed Muscles Reduce Injury Impact
Muscles act like natural shock absorbers when they are slightly relaxed but engaged enough to control movement. By staying loose during a fall:
- You reduce tension on bones and joints.
- Your body can adapt its position mid-fall.
- You increase chances of rolling safely instead of crashing flat.
This approach works well alongside other protective maneuvers like tucking your chin and bending knees.
Avoid Trying To Stop The Fall Mid-Air
Some people attempt to jump back up or push off surfaces while falling. Trying to halt momentum mid-air wastes precious time and often leads to awkward landings that cause twisted ankles or broken bones.
Instead, accept that you’re falling and focus on controlling how you land rather than preventing the fall altogether once it has begun. This mindset switch can lower panic and improve physical response quality.
Safe Falling Techniques To Keep In Mind
Knowing what not to do is crucial but pairing it with positive actions can save you from serious harm. Here are some recommended techniques:
- Tuck your chin: Protects your head from hitting the ground.
- Bend knees slightly: Helps absorb impact through leg muscles.
- Roll with the fall: Spread out force by rolling sideways instead of landing flat.
- Keep arms bent: Avoids wrist injuries by not locking elbows.
These steps work together for safer falls whether slipping on ice, tripping indoors, or falling off uneven ground.
Common Myths About Falling Debunked
Many misconceptions surround falling behavior that can lead people astray:
| Myth | Reality | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| You should always try to stop yourself with your hands. | This often causes wrist fractures; better to keep arms bent. | Avoiding this reduces severe arm injuries. |
| Tensing up protects you from injury. | A relaxed body absorbs impact better than a stiff one. | Keeps multiple areas safer by spreading force. |
| If you start falling backward, lean backward more. | This increases risk of hitting head hard; better tuck chin and roll forward if possible. | Lowers chance of head trauma. |
Understanding these myths helps reinforce what should be avoided during falls for optimal safety.
The Importance Of Practice And Preparedness
It might sound strange but practicing how to fall safely can improve real-life responses dramatically. Martial arts like judo teach breakfall techniques that reduce injury risk by training people how not to panic and how best to position their bodies during slips or trips.
Even simple balance exercises strengthen muscles that help prevent falls in the first place while improving reflexes for those times when a fall is unavoidable.
How Training Changes Your Body’s Reaction
Repeated practice rewires muscle memory so protective actions become automatic rather than delayed by fear or confusion. This can mean the difference between minor bruises and serious fractures in everyday accidents.
Anyone concerned about falls—especially older adults—can benefit greatly from learning safe falling methods under professional guidance.
Key Takeaways: What Should You Not Do If You Start To Fall?
➤ Don’t try to break your fall with your hands.
➤ Avoid stiffening your body during the fall.
➤ Never turn your head backward abruptly.
➤ Don’t attempt to grab objects hastily.
➤ Avoid panicking; stay as calm as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should You Not Do If You Start To Fall With Your Hands?
You should not try to catch yourself with outstretched hands. Extending your arms fully transfers the impact force directly to your wrists, leading to fractures or sprains. Instead, keep your arms bent and close to your body to reduce injury risk.
Why Should You Not Stiffen Your Body If You Start To Fall?
Stiffening your body during a fall increases the chance of serious injuries because rigid muscles cannot absorb shock effectively. Staying relaxed allows your body to spread the impact over a larger area, minimizing harm and helping you roll or bounce safely.
What Should You Not Do If You Start To Fall on a Slippery Surface?
Avoid panicking or trying to stop yourself abruptly by stretching out your hands. This often results in wrist injuries. Instead, focus on relaxing your body and rolling if possible, which helps reduce the severity of injuries on slippery surfaces.
Is It Advisable to Try Catching Yourself If You Start To Fall?
No, trying to catch yourself with outstretched hands is dangerous and can cause wrist fractures or elbow injuries. Experts recommend keeping your arms bent and using safer techniques like rolling to protect yourself during a fall.
What Are Common Mistakes People Should Avoid If They Start To Fall?
Common mistakes include reaching out with straight arms and stiffening the entire body. Both actions increase injury risk by concentrating impact forces on vulnerable areas. Relaxing muscles and avoiding outstretched hands are crucial for minimizing harm when falling.
What Should You Not Do If You Start To Fall? – Final Thoughts
Knowing exactly what not to do if you start falling can save you from painful injuries and long recovery times. Avoid reaching out with stiff arms because it puts too much strain on wrists and elbows. Don’t tense up; stay loose so your muscles can absorb shock better. Resist trying to stop yourself mid-air; instead focus on controlling how you land safely by tucking your chin, bending knees, and rolling when possible.
Combining these tips with good environmental awareness and proper footwear creates a strong defense against injury during unexpected falls. Remembering these dos and don’ts makes all the difference between a nasty accident and walking away relatively unscathed.
Stay safe out there—because knowing what not to do if you start falling might just keep you standing longer!