kneeling and getting up again

[dirthappy]

Hi All I'm new to this forum my question is how do you all able to kneel and get back up? I have problem with both ( bad knees.)

 

[metalfun]

Welcome to the forum I have trouble with my left knee from time to time and I got a crdezone shot in mine about 4 months ago and it helped alot.There said to only last 3 months but mine is still doing good,Hope this helps.

 

[Joel-Winnipeg]

I usually only go down on one knee unless its a serious dig..
Use other knee to get up with a small balance no pressure on detector.

 

[mudpuppy]

Hey dirthappy...you dont have to kneel...you can sort of do a wide legged stoop...like how a giraffe takes a drink? Thats what I do anyway, bending at the waist, and ankles, slight half bend at the knees, with both forearms rested on top of my legs and just a little above my knees. feet are about 3' apart ..really a solid and comfortable way to get close to the ground without kneeling or putting any strain on one particular body part......if I do kneel, its only on one knee, as stated by Joel, like a genuflect....you can try this in the house if you want...I dug/stabbed over 10k coins in 2012 doing this with no ill effects..it really provides a stable and powerful platform to thrust a digger/screwdriver into the dirt on account of you are using your upper body weight instead of your arm muscles too...try it out and get back to us...
Mud

 

[fongu]

I water hunt most of the time because of this same problem. When I do detect on land, I take turns going on one knee or the other and bending over like Mudpuppy says. 2 hours is about my limit, tho. You might want to take a cane with you to help get up after kneeling down. GL & HH. I use castor oil on my knees and back and it works great. Put a heating pad on top of the castor oil and that works even better.

 

[Wandering Yoda]

Same here, switch knees for the heavy digs and "giraffe bend" for the shallow. I tend to think it keeps the back loose to.

 

[asiandigger]

I remembered Waterdog had a cane in one hand awhile ago when we out detecting. The cane help him get back up...try it might help. Just don't use a shovel.

 

[WaterWalker]

Many good ideas, love the giraffe bend approach but none would work well in chest deep water.
If i ever give up the water, I will remember all your tips.

For when the knees get too bad to walk let alone kneel, replacement works. BUT the doctor told my wife not to kneel on the replacements. She gave up detecting because of her replacements and other reasons. I lost a great detecting partner. She still goes with me, but enjoys the fresh air, views and a meal on the way home. Maybe I'll teach hre the giraffe bend to pick garden weeds.

 

[John-Edmonton]

You could take a light cane with you, with the curve naturally hanging on to your goody bag. Then, after aquatting, use the cane to help prop you up to a standing position. Don't use your detector to do this as you could break the elephant ears on the coil where it attaches to the coil. Not good.

 

[dirthappy]

Thank you all for the great info,I was thinking about a cane. Sounds good,I also have a grandson whom I know will help me.

 

[xwyokid]

I have used my Predator shovel for years with not a single problem. I jab the point of the shovel into the ground and use it for balance and leverage to get up. If the ground is too hard I shove the shovel point against the inside of the freshly dug hole. Works great. It's a little bit of a balancing act as you don't want to put your entire weight on the shovel.

 

[upnorth]

I have used my Predator shovel for years with not a single problem. I jab the point of the shovel into the ground and use it for balance and leverage to get up. If the ground is too hard I shove the shovel point against the inside of the freshly dug hole. Works great. It's a little bit of a balancing act as you don't want to put your entire weight on the shovel.

I basically do the same, use my Predator to push myself up. I have good days and bad days. Naproxin and Ibuprophen about every 3-4 hours helps to take the edge off.

 

[Goldrings]

You could teach the wife to run one of these! Then all you have to do is point!

 

[Waterdog]

If your having a hard time getting down and then back up do like I do. Bring aluminum cane. You can get them cheap, and they do help while getting back up ... for me at least.

 

[William-NM]

I also use my shovel for assistance ( in non-lawn areas). Mud's style of squatting has led to an outbreak of juvenile pranks referred to as 'old-timer tipping'. I hope it hasn't spread to your area yet. Numerous detectorists have been found stranded on their backs with arms and legs flailing, shouting 'Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!'.

I like the aluminum cane idea - very helpful in deterring pesky children and panhandlers, too!

 

[mudpuppy]

Grrr! I challenge any young reprobate to try to tip ME over when I'm deploying the "wide legged giraffe stoop N stab" technique ....its as solid a platform as a fellow can get in this gravity strong Planet..

Though I do like the cane idea...not as a cane so much, but I bet a fellow can convert one into a bang stick with a 20ga shell on the end as a deterrent for hunting those inner city parks.. Imagine the possibilities...
Mud

 

[PKB]

for some reason its easier for me to squat. Do a lot at work. ( forklift mechanic ) . But that's hard on the back of my heels

 

[William-NM]

I'll have to re-train myself to try the stoop. I don't mind the exercise, but by the end of a longer hung my back starts complaining.
Mud-- I like the bang-stick idea - may be useful when out where the in-bred folk lurk, too.