Handcuffs

[FLdeputy]

It was mentioned to me that wearing my handcuff case in the small of my back (at the 6 o`clock position) presents a hazard to my spine and/or kidneys if I were to become involved in a traffic crash. To counter this problem, it has been suggested that I wear them on the 4 or 8 o'clock position.

I was wondering if anyone else has heard of this...

[governor]

I was always told to never have any equipment placed on your belt by your spine. It seems logical that it could cause an injury, but I don't have any information proving it one way or the other.

George

[Irish_Pride]

I was trained to never keep anything on your belt over the spine for two reasons. As you stated the potential of spinal cord injury. Also I was always told that you don't want to keep cuffs that far back because in a tactical situation the closer your cuffs are to your hip the better off you'll be.

[DelC]

Like a lot of other things, it looks good in print and sounds good when you hear it, but I’m here to tell ya, its crap. I wore my second pair of cuffs in the center of my back, mostly due to a lack of space on my belt. One winter night I went airborne on a flight of ice covered cement steps. I was completely airborne in the prone position and landed with the edge of a step in the center of my back, at the lower spine. Hence, the cuffs took the impact. When I regained my senses I fully expected to be paralyzed, but I was able to walk away with no injury or lasting effects. However, my handcuffs were bent in the shape of a C. Plus, in 30 some years, I’ve never heard any first hand talk about injury from handcuffs being carried in the center of your back. In some vehicles it may be uncomfortable, but I’ve never heard of an injury caused by it.

[Kojak]

I'm pretty sure this subject has been discussed here before, but like DelC I've never heard of any positive proof of problems caused by carrying cuffs in that position.
And let's face it - if you don't carry cuffs in the center of your back, sure as hell there'll be something else on your belt in that position.

[Sheriff'02]

Most people have the complaint that when sitting in a cruiser all day or night will get back pain or tingling in thier legs due to the cuffs rubbing or pinching on the siatic nerve. This doesnt affect all people just some it all depends on exactly where you have the cuff case and how you sit. I personally cant stand having them sticking into my back when i am sitting but i do carry my spare cuffs just off to the side enought that when i sit i cant feel them in my back bottom line i think is do what is comfortable for you but if you feel any pain or tingling or legs feel like they are "falling asleep" move them. sometimes the pain will come hours later while at home or slowly creep up on you so just be aware of that. Some doctors recommend you do not carry a thick wallet if you complain of back pain. My friend had back pain went to see doc. doc asked to see his wallet told him to not carry it in his back pocket for 2 weeks and pain went away it was just enough to lift his rear and cause his spine to twist slightly eventually causing the pain

[KA6007]

I know of negative consequences of wearing your cuff case in the small of your back. An officer in a town I used to live in wore her cuffs in the small of her back and took a fall on some icy stairs. She did considerable nerve damage and is now dragging her left leg as a result. Doctors say she will never be able to return to full duty, so she now rides a desk. I know many people have fallen down while wearing cuffs in the middle of the back and have had no problems however this is not one of those cases.

[Praetorian]

I am aware of a recent incident in which an officer wearing a cuff strap in the center of his back fell and fractured his tail bone.