Finding Things You've Dropped

You took your credit card out of your pocket to put it back in your wallet. In the process, you dropped it. But all was not lost, because you heard where it landed. And then, you searched a small area at a time until you found it. Nice! Those are just a few of the things you'll be learning here to help you safely and more quickly find things that have been dropped or misplaced.

First off, when you drop something, listen to hear where it lands. Of course, on a carpeted surface, things will be harder to hear, but they're also less likely to go as far like they could on a hard surface. If you hear it drop right beside you, squat straight down at the knees, or kneel right where you're standing. Be sure not to bend at the waist and risk bumping your head into something. For more tips like that one to help you move around safely, check out our protective techniques workshop.

If you can't kneel or squat, you can use a long object like a cane, broom handle, or yardstick to search from a standing position.

Now, if the object did roll away from you, point your toes in the direction that it dropped. Using small steps, walk toward the object, but try to stop short of where you think it might be, so you don't step on it or go past it, and have to start all over. With palms flat, search around your feet first, moving your hands and arms and a fan or circular motion. Starting at the spot directly in front of your knees or feet, gently start sweeping your flat hands away from your body and out to each side.

If the object has fallen on an uneven surface like grass, cup your hands slightly and search lightly with your fingertips, instead of using a flat palm. If you're standing and using a long object, like a cane or broom handle, gently glide it from side to side until you touch the object. Increase the size of your movements as you go further in your search. But be careful not to reach out too far, you don't want to lose your balance. Instead, just shift a few steps in either direction to continue your search.

If you are able to lay your cane on the ground, that's another effective way to search. Just hold the top of the cane with your thumb, index and middle fingers. Then, without lifting it off the ground, move your cane around slowly until you hear it touch the object you dropped.

As always, contact a learning expert if you have questions or your own tips to share. Of course, as with anything new, give yourself time, patience and practice, and you'll get there.