This post is about knowing the right posture when you sit in an Auto Rickshaw (also known as Tuk-Tuk in few countries) so that you don’t hurt your back during the ride when it goes through a rough patch on the road (no dearth of those things in India) and of course when there are chances of this Auto getting toppled in an accident or due to those deadly pot holes.
For a vehicle that is in majority driven by people on a ‘high’ (or it seems like), has openings on both sides and can go from zero to forty in a few seconds (since some of the auto drivers genuinely think the brand they bought is not Bajaj but Ferrari), I am not a huge fan of travelling in an Auto-Rickshaw. But in any case I do take the auto here in Bangalore for many local meetings instead of taking my car out. The biggest reason being – PARKING.
So back to the right pose for siting in an auto. Here we go >
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Sit back. Way back till you touch the back rest.
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Let you bum touch the intersection of the seat and the back rest.
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Your lower back should be touching the back rest.
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Now bend forward.
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Spread your legs.
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Put both your elbows on the respective knees.
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Join hands or keep it apart or hold the rail in front, your choice.
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Idea is to lean forward and not put your back supported by the back rest.
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Kind of making a 60 degrees of angle between your upper body and thighs.
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Between your upper body, thighs and arms there should be a right angle triangle. Ninety degrees at the point where your elbow touches your knee.
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When the auto jumps on a pothole your back takes the biggest beating.
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Spinal chord may also get damaged in a worst case scenario.
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Keep your head straight so that you are always on the lookout for what’s coming.
Apart from the right seating posture, here are few known but still important facts to keep in mind always:
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Never trust how the auto driver will drive. Things can go from good to worse in seconds.
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Be ready to save yourself in all situations, except when you are in a terrible traffic jam and you know he cannot surprise you by taking that ugly and sharp turn.
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If you are traveling with a backpack, ensure you keep one of your arms entangled with the bag strap.
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Needless to say, check your belongings before you get down.
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| Sit like the person sitting on the left in this picture, actually lean forward a little more. |
Hope this helps. Thank you. Do leave your comment with your thoughts and feedback.