Drive DIGI-SEAT User manual

USER’S MANUAL
ALL USER’S OF THE EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE AWARE
OF THIS DOCUMENT AND ITS CONTENT
ISSUE 1
DIGI-SEAT SEATING
SYSTEM
By
CUSTOM MADE DEVICE

1
Specication of the Seating System supplied.
Specied• belowarethedetailsoftheequipmentsupplied.
On• thelisteachitemtickedisapartofyourSeatingSystemandoppositeeachitemis
thereferenceoftherelevantsectioninthisuserdocumentationforthatitem.
SeatingSystemReferenceNo. DateIssued://
WeightofSeatingSystemKg
User Manual Reference
Item Tick if
supplied No. of Items Supplied Page Section
Digi-SeatCushion
Pommel
Kneeblocks
Digi-SeatBackrest
LateralSupports
SacralPad
Adj-Headrest
Adj-Footrest
SeatingSystemType
Specifyanyotherfeatures; MaximumClientWeightLimitfor
SeatingSystem   
   Kg
Itisrecommendedthatthis
equipmentisonlysuitableforuse;
Indoor Indoor&
Outdoor
Detailsofwheelchair(s)approvedforusewiththeSeatingSystem.
Model of Wheelchair Wheelchair Manufacturers
Reference Number Tested at (Specify Angle)
1pieceunit 2pieceunit

2
Index
CONTENTS PAGE
Specication of Seating System 1
Index 2
Introduction 3
Clinical Review 4
Stability of Wheelchair and Seating Systems    4-5
Recommendations on Transport      6-9
1.0 User’s Guide “Fitting the Digi-Seat to the wheelchair”
1.1 Locatingthe1PieceDigi-SeatSystemFrame   10
1.2 Locatingthe2PieceDigi-SeatSystemFrame   11-12
1.3 Digi-SeatSystemSupportPads     13
1.4 ElectricWheelchairUse      13
1.5 MaintainingtheWheelchair     13
2.0 User’s Guide “Lifting and Handling the Client”
2.1 LiftingandHandlingtheClientinandoutoftheDigi-SeatSystem 14
2.2 ClientStraps,Harnesses      15
2.3 FootrestAdjustment      15
3.0 User’s Guide “Maintenance of the Digi-Seat”
3.1 CleaningtheDigi-SeatSytem     16
3.2 CleaningtheDigi-SeatSystemCovers    16
3.3 Harness,Pads&Straps      16
3.4 VisualInspection       17
3.5 FireRetardancy       17
4.0 User’s Guide “Optional Features”
4.1 AdjustableHeadrest      18
4.2 AdjustableFootrest      19
4.3 DetachablePommel      20
If You Detect a Fault or Breakage 21
CONTACT DETAILS      Backpage

3
DIGI-SEAT SEATING SYSTEM
(Custom Made Device)
Introduction
The• Digi-SeatSeatingSystemisacustommadeSeatingSystemintendedforusewith
StandardWheelchairs.
The• maintenanceandsafetyinstructionsdescribedinthismanualshouldbeadhered
to.ByfollowingtheseinstructionsyouwillbeensuringcorrectuseoftheDigi-Seat
SeatingSystem.
The• Digi-SeatSeatingSystemhasacustomisedinsertintendedforusebyaparticular
clientandshouldnotbeusedforanyotherclient.
The• assessmentastothelevelofsupportrequiredbyaclientwillnormallybedone
throughaSpecialSeatingClinicorganisedbyyourWheelchairService.
Each• systemismanufacturedforusewithaparticularwheelchair(s).Tomakesure
usingtheDigi-SeatSeatingSystemdoesnotrenderthewheelchairunsuitable,the
Digi-SeatSeatingSystemandwheelchairshouldbetestedforstabilitywiththeclient
seatedintheequipment(formoredetailsregardingstabilityofwheelchairandseating
systems,seepage4).
As• withmostSeatingSystemsitisadvisabletomonitoraclient’sinitialuseoftheDigi-
SeatSeatingSystemintheearlystagesofitsuse.Itisrecommendedthatthetime
aclientsitsinthesystemiscontrolled,thiswillvaryduetocircumstances,butwhere
possibleperiodsofsittinginthesystemshouldnotexceedmorethan3hoursatany
onetime.
Removing• theclientfromthesystemisadvisedaftersuchaperiodtoofferachange
ofposture.BydoingthisyouwillimproveaclientstolerancetosittingintheDigi-Seat
SeatingSystemonadailybasis.
It• isalsoimportanttoreadthe‘WheelchairUserManual’withregardtogeneraluse,
transportationuseandmaintenance.

4
Clinical Review
• To ensuretheDigi-SeatSeatingSystemcontinuestomeettheclinicalrequirementsof
theclient,itisrecommendedthatthesystemisreviewedbytheSpecialSeatingClinic
atleastonceayear.
This• maybedoneautomaticallybyyourDistrictWheelchairService.
If• aclienthashadaDigi-SeatSeatingSystemover12monthsitisrecommendedthat
youcontacttheDistrictWheelchairServicesforareview.ThiswillensurethattheDigi-
SeatSeatingSystemismaintainingtheclinicalneedsoftheclient.
Stability of Wheelchair and Seating Systems
• To ensurethattheDigi-SeatSeatingSystemandwheelchairaresafetouse,itis
importantthatttingtheDigi-SeatSeatingSystemtothewheelchairdoesnotmake
thewheelchairunstableduringnormal
dailyuse.EachDigi-SeatSeatingSystem
whenhandedovertotheuserwillbe
testedforstabilitytotherelevantangleof
stabilityforthechairtobetested.
The• recommendedmaximumangleof
tiltis12degreesforattendanttransit
wheelchairsand16degreesforusers
ofselfpropellingwheelchairsand16
degreesforusersofelectricindoorand
outdoorelectricwheelchairs.
If• theclientisgoingtouseadditionalitems
mountedtothewheelchairorseating
systemsuchascommunicationsaidsetc.,
thenitisessentialthatthetestbedone
withtheseinsitutoaccesstheirimpact
onthesafetyofthewheelchair.Similarly,
simpleitemssuchastraysneedtobeinplaceforthetesttotakeintoaccountallthe
equipmenttobeusedbytheclient(seediagramopposite).
The• stabilitytestisalwaysdonewiththeclientseatedintheseatingsystemandall
equipmenttobeusedbytheclientonadailybasiswheninthewheelchairinsitu.The
combinedclientSeatingSystemandwheelchairassemblyistestedtothespecied
maximumangleoftilt.
Once• thetesthasbeensuccessfullycompletedaStabilityCerticatewillbeissued
bySpecialisedOrthoticServicesLimited.Acopyofthiscerticatewillbehandedover
whentheequipmentissuppliedandshouldbekeptwiththeusermanualforfuture
reference.
16°
12°

5
Stability of Wheelchair and Seating Systems (Cont.)
The• Digi-Seat Seating System is not to be used with any other wheelchair(s)
than those for which it has been stability tested and proven safe for use.
Always
• steer clear of obstacles where possible.
When
• using the equipment never attempt to climb or descend an incline where
the surface is rough, wet or slippery (gravel, loose chippings, grass, rain, ice,
snow, etc).
If
• the equipment is to be used in an electric wheelchair then read carefully the
wheelchair manufacturers instructions with regard to safety.
WARNING:
• Whilst the client is seated in the wheelchair, the attachment of any
heavy object to the wheelchair (i.e. shopping bags etc.) will have a serious effect
on the overall stability of the wheelchair and may place the safety of the client at
risk.

6
Recommendations for the
Transportation of SOS Seating Systems
The following information is intended to give guidance with regard to the use of SOS
Seating Systems by wheelchair users and carers during transportation.
Specialised• Orthotic Services Ltdhavecarriedoutextensiveinvestigationsintothe
suitabilityofourSpecialSeatingSystemsfortransportationuseandhasestablished
clearguidelinesforusers.
Following• theseinvestigationsthefollowinguserinformationisintendedtogive
guidancetousersofSOSSeatingSystemsregardingtheuseoftheequipmentduring
transportation.
All
• SOSSeatingSystemsareprescribedviaSpecialSeatingClinicsandduring
theassessmentprocessthewheelchairtobeusedwiththeSeatingSystemwillbe
identied.
As
• partoftheassessmentprocess,transportationrequirementswillbeassessedand
asuitablewheelchairprescribedforusewiththeSeatingSystem.
This information will be of interest to all parties involved in the daily management of
the wheelchair user (Relatives, Carers, Support Staff, Healthcare Professionals and
Transport Service Providers).

7
General Safety Guidelines for
Wheelchair User Transportation
Wheelchairusersshouldtransfertovehicleseatswheneverpossible.•
Wheelchair• usersshouldnottravelwiththewheelchairatanangleorfacingsideways
tothedirectionoftravel.
There• shouldbesufcientfreespacearoundthewheelchairandusertoavoidthe
usermakingcontactwithothervehicleoccupants,unpaddedpartsofthevehicle,
wheelchairaccessoriesorW.T.O.R.S.anchorpoints.
Wheelchairs• shouldhavetheparkingbrakesappliedandtheirpowerunitsswitchedoff
duringvehiclemovement.Poweredwheelchairsshouldnotbeleftinfreewheelmode.
Wheelchairs• shouldnotblockgangwaysandexitsforotherpassengersinthevehicle.
A• headrestshouldbeprovidedforawheelchairuserwhentravellinginavehiclewhere
otherseatedpassengershaveheadrests.
Do• notplace/hanganyadditionalitemsontothewheelchairduringtransportation
suchasshoppingbagsandholdalls.
Trays• shouldberemovedfortransportationwheneverpossible.Ifitisnecessaryfora
traytobeusedontransportation,thenariskassessmentshouldbedone.
Wheelchair Tie Down and Occupant Restraint System
(W.T.O.R.S.)
Securemethodsforthesaferetentionofwheelchairshavebeendevelopedandare•
usedonaregularbasistosecurewheelchairsduringtransportationuse.
These• systemsarenowcommonlyreferredtoasW.T.O.R.S.
Wheelchair Tie down and Occupant Restraint Systems
TherearemanytypesofW.T.O.R.S.availablefromvariousmanufacturers(alistof•
somemanufacturersisgivenonpage9).RefertoyourWheelchairManufacturers
Handbookfordetailsoftheirparticularrecommendations.
Please• notethatalllap/chestbeltsandharnessessuppliedwiththeseatingsystem
are notsufcientforoccupantrestraintwhentheequipmentisusedonamoving
vehicleandadditionalOccupantRestraintisrequired.

8
Use of Seating System in a
Wheelchair for Transportation
To make sure that the seating system and wheelchair are used effectively and safely
for transportation use, the following recommendations are provided for:
TheSeatingSystem-WheelchairInterface•
TheWheelchairTiedownSystem•
TheOccupantRestraintSystem•
1. WHEELCHAIR TIE DOWN SYSTEM
Wheelchair• users should not travel in cars, taxis or minibuses, unless the
wheelchair is tied down.
Please
• refertoyourwheelchairusersguideforinformationregardingthe
recommendedwheelchairtiedownsystemtobeused.
Only• thewheelchairspeciedforusewiththeseatingsystemcanbeused.
2. OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
Wheelchair• users should not travel in cars, taxis or minibuses, unless an
occupant restraint system is in place on the client.
For
• anyclienttobetransportedsafelyintheSeatingSystemandwheelchair,itis
essentialthatanOccupantRestraintSystembeused.
SOS• haveprovenduringcrashtestsonDigi-SeatSeatingSystemsthattransporting
anyclientonamovingvehiclewithoutanapprovedoccupantrestraintsystemis
extremelydangerousandwillplacetheclient at great risk.
It
• isimportantthattheOccupantRestraintSystemispositionedcorrectlyasmost
clientsusingSpecialSeatingwillbedependentoncarersforcorrectplacementofthe
occupantrestraint.
Consideration• shouldbegiventothemostsuitabletypeandpositioningofrestraintfor
theuser,bothinnormaltravelandduringanimpact.
The• OccupantRestraintshouldhaveaclearpathfromtheusertotheanchorpoint
andshouldnotbeinterferedwithbyanypartofthevehicle,wheelchair,seatingor
accessory.

9
Stowage of the Seating System and Wheelchair
DuringuseofyourSpecialSeatingSystemitmaybenecessaryforyoutoremovethe•
SeatingSystemandstowthisalongwiththewheelchairinavehicle.
It• isimportanttorealisethattheseitemsposeariskifnotadequatelyrestrained
whilstintransit.
It• isnotadequatetosimplyplacetheitemsintoacarbootortheoorofanopen
vehiclesuchasanMPVorestatecarasinacollisiontheseunsecureditemscould
causeserious injurytooccupantsofthevehicle.
Various• retentionmethodsareavailabletosecuresuchequipmentduringtransit,and
onceagainthelistofWheelchairRestraintSystemManufacturersinthisbookletwill
behappytoadviseonthismatter(seebelow).
W.T.O.R.S MANUFACTURERS
Below are details of some Wheelchair Tie down and Occupant Restraint Systems
manufacturers.
UNWIN SAFETY
SYSTEMS
UnwinHouse 
TheHorseshoe
CoatRoad 
Martock
Somerset
TA12 6EY
TEL:01935827740
FAX:01935827760
EMail:[e-mail]
KOLLER
ENGINEERING LTD
Unit5,GarrettRoad
LynxTradingEstate
Yeovil
Somerset
BA202TJ
TEL:01935426695
FAX:01935433766
EMaiI:[e-mail]
QSTRAINT
(EUROPE)
Unit175
JohnWilsonBusinessPark
Whitstable 
Kent
CT53RB
TEL:01227773035
FAX:01227770035
EMaiI:[email protected]
SAFETEX Unit16/17
BookhamIndustrialPark
ChurchRoad 
Bookham
Surrey
KT23 3EU
TEL:01372451272
FAX:01372451282
EMail:[email protected]