Lack of attention to ergonomics can shorten your career!  

It is vitally important that captionists be aware of the issue of ergonomics and act accordingly in order to protect themselves and continue in the profession.  

Ergonomics is about efficiency and comfort in movement.  Less efficient movements, over time, can lead to repetitive motion injuries such as carpel tunnel syndrome as well as back injuries.  If not remedied, these can cause continuing pain and may force a captionist out of the field altogether.

Warning Signs
Learn to recognize the warning signs of Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI).  These include, pain, numbness or tingling in the hands or arms, pain in the shoulders, neck or back, shaking of the hands to compensate for loss of blood flow, and general hand fatigue.   

If you notice any of these warning signs, immediately reduce your captioning time and intensity, and learn to work in an ergonomically more efficient manner.  

Aspects of Captioning 
There are 2 components to ergonomics while captioning.  The first is, physical.  The hands must be at a 90 degree angle to the body.  Many desks and tables are made too high, and many chairs, even some expensive cushioned ones, are made too low for the desk they are paired with.  This is especially true for captionists who are small to begin with, but I have found this true even for those of us who are a bit taller.  Be constantly aware of table and chair height in all the rooms you where you are asked to caption.

The other aspect of captioning ergonomics is one of time spent typing.  It is important that captionists take frequent, periodic breaks while captioning and that they utilize the abbreviation system as much as possible.  

Things to buy
There are various ways to accomplish this.  First, there are many ergonomic aids that can be purchased.  (See article on this web site for details.)  The primary ergonomic aid for captionists is a laptop stand.  These are usually adjustable, light weight stands that can be carried in your computer case and used in place of a badly designed desk, or to compensate for a badly designed chair.  These can be invaluable in situations where there is no desk available, such as in an auditorium.  

Another "must", in my opinion, is a wheeled computer case.  On large campuses, where you may be walking from one end of the campus to the other between classes, a wheeled case can be very helpful, especially if your institution uses an extra laptop for the student that you must carry with you.  A long day, carrying a computer can be especially hard on the back!

Another help for the back, are lumbar supports.  Most chairs are not designed well for the back, not to mention the fact that every back is not the same.  A support for the lower back can be quite useful in preventing back pain.  

Don't forget to check your chair for adjustability.  Many newer technology classrooms do have adjustable chairs and that can really be a help ergonomically.  

Another, often overlooked ergonomic help, is a footrest.  These can be purchased in stores that sell items for bad backs, and are especially helpful to relieve pressure on the lower spine by raising the feet a little off the floor.  This is sometimes necessary if a captionist is tall, and/or, if the chair is made too low to the ground.  

Don't forget to put a pair of gloves in your pocket or car and use them even if it is not technically "freezing" out.  Warm hands are flexible hands!

Things to make
If the thought of buying all this equipment makes you shudder, you can do with some alternative home made versions.  There is a link from this web site to directions on how to make an ergonomic laptop stand.  There are less expensive foldable luggage carts you can use if you have already purchased a non-wheelable computer case. Pillows or even a coat can be easily turned into lumbar supports, or used to "adjust" a too-short chair!  Years ago, I used a small box as a portable foot rest, and became known around campus among the students as "the box lady"!  

Things to do
Other ergonomic techniques that are helpful include learning routes around your institution that include ramps and elevators.  If they don't exist...well, that's another article! 

Watch your computer use outside of the classroom.  Too much mouse or game controller use can come back to haunt you!  Also, make sure your computer equipment at home is ergonomically sound.  Don't put your mouse up on the same level as your desktop computer.  Use the slide out keyboard tray under your desk--and if you don't have one, get one!  

Get enough sleep.  While not always easy to do, this can make a big difference in the classroom.  Also, watch your sleep position--don't sleep on your hands or arms.  

Another thing that may be easy to miss is, watch your driving ergonomics.  You may need a lumbar support in your car.  Consider your hand position while driving, and, remember--there is a lot to be said for automatics!  

Time 
Aside from the physical aspect of captioning there is also the issue of time.  A captionist can not type near verbatim text for hours on end.  This is not physically or mentally possible.  Fortunately for us, we have our abbreviations to help reduce keystrokes.  But, for abbreviations to help, we have to use them!  If you find it difficult to use them in the pressured environment of the classroom, find a slow-moving documentary on television and practice abbreviation use with that.  

Dictionary work is another important aspect of captioning.  Try to obtain a copy of the text and handouts ahead of time so you can add new words into your dictionary.  Many times adding phrases that point the student to what is being read aloud can be save keystrokes.  Phrases such as "(See slide)", "(See handout)" or "(See text)" can be very useful.  

If you can, add new words to the dictionary during class. Type the new abbreviation, then control /, and add the new expansion in the textbox.  You will have the option when logging out of the session as to whether or where to save the new word(s).

Advocate for yourself 
Perhaps the most important thing you can do for yourself as a captionist is to self-advocate.  Visit the classroom you will be captioning in, and make sure there is room for you to caption there.  Look at the type of chair and desk and make sure it will accommodate you comfortably. If not, ask that another more appropriate chair or desk be brought to the room before your assignment begins.  

Find out from the speaker or professor ahead of time what the format of the class will be.  If it is a 3 hour class, will the students be working individually every hour or so, or will the teacher lecture for only the first portion of the class? Find out the teacher's lecturing style to decide whether or not a co-captionist is necessary.  Do not be afraid to ask for a team mate!  With C-Print training now on line, training additional captionists is easier than ever.  

Pay attention to your schedule itself.  Are there enough breaks between classes, and if not, will you have a team member with you?  You are not serving your client effectively if you tire yourself out to the point where you can't work at all!