Etac Next User manual

74731D 2015-03-16
User manual
Next and Next Comfort, English
Etac Supply Center
Box 203
SE-334 24 Anderstorp
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.etac.com

Explanation of symbols
Do not lift the chair
using the armrests.
Risk of tipping: Always have
the anti-tip stabilisers lowered
when manoeuvring.
Always ensure the
tyre pressure is correct.
When adjusting seat height, balance position or
backrest angle, operation of the anti-tip stabilisers
must be checked.
Next, Next Comfort
Contents Page
Handling 3-5
Sitting comfort 6-7
Transfer 8
Handling technique 9-10
Car transport 11
Troubleshooting table 12
2
1" = 6 kg/cm²/85psi
13/8" =3,5 kg/cm²/50psi

Unfolding Next
• Push one of the seat bars down
wards, placing your entire hand on
top of the seat.
• Do not hold the seat bar when
unfolding the chair, as there is a risk
of trapped fingers.
• Unfold the footrests.
• Keep the button in the hub depres-
sed while fitting/removing the wheel.
• When assembling, always check that
the wheel axle locks properly.
• The button should spring out to origi-
nal position.
Unfolding Next Comfort
•Push one of the seat bars down
wards, placing your entire hand on
top of the seat bar.
• Do not hold the seat bar when
unfolding the chair, as there is a risk
of trapped fingers.
• Assemble seat, back pad and seat
cushion.
• Unfold the footrests.
3
”Click”
Fitting/removing wheel

Folding Next Comfort
• Remove seat cushion, back pad
and seat.
• Flip up the footrests.
• Lift the seat bar upwards.
Folding Next
•Remove/unsnap bow handle
and/or cross-brace, if applicable.
• Flip up the footrests.
• Lift the seat upwards.
4
Anti-tip stabilisers
The anti-tip stabilisers can be folded up.

Seat cushion Next Comfort
• Position the cushion at the front edge
of the seat.
Backrest cover Next
• Lay the backrest cover far enough
back on the seat for a fold to be
formed between backrest and seat.
• It is important to always place the
backrest cover in this way, as it af-
fects sitting comfort.
Seat cushion Next
• Place the cushion to the back of the
seat, so that the rounded corners
are between the backrest tubes.
• Trim the cushion to suit seat depth.
• Place the comfort wedge in the
pocket of the cover under the
cushion.
5

Backrest upholstery Next
• Loosen all backrest straps.
• Tighten the strap just below the
curve of the user's back.
• Adjust the other straps to allow space
for the bottom and follow the natural
curve of the back.
Back pad Next Comfort
• Loosen all back straps.
• Tighten the strap just below the curve
of the back.
• Adjust the other straps to allow space
for the bottom and follow the natural
curve of the back.
• The backrest angle may need to be
changed when adjusting the shape
of the backrest upholstery/back pad.
• Remove the back pad before adjusting
the backrest height (Next Comfort).
• If backrest angle or backrest height
is changed, backrest upholstery/
back pad may need to be adjusted.
6
Backrest angle and backrest height

Footrest
• Adjust the height so that the feet
are supported and the thighs rest
against the cushion.
• Adjust the footrest angle, so the
ankles are at a 90° angle.
• Undo the wing nut (A) on the leg
rest. Pull out the screw (B). Adjust
the height. Replace the screw and
nut. Tighten securely. Loosen screws
(C), adjust the angle. Tighten.
Calf/Heel straps
• Adjust the length so that the insteps
rest on the footrests.
A
B
C
7
Armrest
• The high position of the armrests
supports and relieves pressure on the
back better than a lower position.
• Undo the screw and nut.
• Move the side plate up or down to
the required height.
• Secure the side plate again.
Belt
• A positioning belt is available as an
accessory and is attached according to
enclosed assembly instruction.
Other settings Next/Next Comfort

Transferring to/from a wheelchair
Sideways
• Back the wheelchair up 5-10 cm
before stopping so that the castors
face forwards*.
• Position the wheelchair close to the
new seat.
• Lock the brakes.
• Remove the armrest/siderest
and legrest on the transfer side.
• Do not stand on the footrests, risk
of tipping!
*Castor facing forwards
From the front
• Back the wheelchair up 5-10 cm so
that the castors face forwards*.
• Position the wheelchair close to the
new seat.
• Lock the brakes and swivel the legrests
out or in under the seat.
• Do not stand on the footrests, risk of
tipping!
• Increase the support area of the
wheelchair by backing up 10 cm so
that the castors face forwards.
• Helper: Lock the brakes and ensure
that the anti-tip stabilisers are
lowered.
8

Lifting the wheelchair
• Ensure that the height-adjustable
push handles are properly tightened.
Kerbs
• Raise the anti-tip stabilisers.
• If you are unsure, ask for help.
• Up/Low kerb: Back up, take a strong
grip and lean your upper body over
your thighs.
• Down/Low kerb: Back up carefully
and lean your upper body over your
thighs.
Stairs
• Always ask for help.
• We always recommend using two ca-
rers for this transfer. One who walks
behind and holds on to the push
handle and one who walks in front
and holds on to the frame (or in the
legrests if these are lockable).
• Raise the anti-tip stabilisers.
• Up/Down: The back of the wheel-
chair should always be turned
towards the stairs.
• Never use an escalator, even with a
helper.
Lower the anti-tip stabilisers again!
9

Going down a slope
• Lean your body backward to
correct the centre of gravity.
- Control your speed using the handrims, not the brakes!
- Always use as direct a route up or down as possible.
- If you are unsure, ask for help.
Next Comfort hub brake
If you need to stop on a slope and lock the brakes, it can feel as if the brake levers
have jammed when you try to unlock them again.
Uphill slope: Push the handrim forward as you release the brake.
Downhill slope: Brace your weight against the handrim as you release the
brake.
With a helper: Push the wheelchair gently forward or brace your weight
against it as the brakes are released.
Experienced
wheelchair user: “Rock” your upper body as the brakes are released.
Going up a slope
• Lean your body forward to correct
the centre of gravity.
10

Car/taxi
• Ideally, the wheelchair should be
placed in the boot.
• If the chair is placed in the back seat,
ensure that it cannot tip over or move.
Secure it, if possible using the vehicle's
seat belts.
Vehicle transport
11
Etac recommends in the following order:
1) The user transfers to one of the seats in
the vehicle and uses the vehicle’s 3-point
belt while travelling. The wheelchair is
then placed in the boot or safely in the
back seat so that it cannot overturn or
roll.
2) The wheelchair is secured facing forwards
in the vehicle as per point 2:5, the user
uses a separate 3-point belt that is
secured in the vehicle. This is the way
in which the wheelchair is tested and
approved according to the ISO-standard
for crash testing of wheelchairs in
vehicles.
3) According to directive 2001/85/EC,
appendix VII, point 3.8.3. there are
specially marked wheelchair locations
in vehicles that permit transport with
a wheelchair facing in the opposite
direction of travel. If this means of
travel is used, the user/care giver must
be aware while travelling, prepared
for sudden movements and have the
capacity to maintain a safe sitting position
throughout the entire journey. The user’s
disabilities must not be of such an extent
that he/she is not able to hold onto the
handles fitted in the vehicle when there
are changes of speed or direction.
In conjunction with points 2 and 3:
- a positioning belt must be used
- a correctly adjusted headrest must be
used
- the backrest must be level with or
above the user’s shoulders
- the parking brake must be used
- the anti-tips must be lowered
- a heel strap must be used
- a cross brace must be used (not with
ECS back support)
- rear wheels must have handrims
Securing
Mobility service bus or similar:
The wheelchair must be secured in the
transport attachment as shown in the
diagram. The straps must not be passed
through the wheels or around the back
tubes.

- Pump up the tyres
- The rear wheel mountings are incorrectly fitted
- The user's weight is not evenly distributed in the wheelchair
- The driving force is stronger on one side.
- Release the tilt handle so that the bars are parallel (Next Comfort)
- Pump up the tyres
- The rear wheel mountings are incorrectly fitted
- Remove any hair or dirt from the castor axles
- Too much weight over the castors; adjust the wheelchair's balance
position
- Pump up the tyres
- Check that the front forks can rotate
- Remove any hair or dirt from the castor axles
- Too much weight over the castors; adjust the wheelchair's balance
position
- Pump up the tyres
- Adjust the hub axle length
- Lubricate and clean the quick release with cycle oil or similar
- Adjust the hub axle length
- The front forks have not been tightened sufficiently
- Too much weight over the castors; adjust the wheelchair's balance
position
- The upholstery is too taut
- Lubricate and clean the cross elements under the seat
- Pump up the tyres
- Check that screws, handrims and brakes are properly tightened
Maintenance
Rear wheels: Clean quick release axles as required.
Tyre pressure: Check tyre pressure, see tyre page (once a month).
Castors: Clean castor axles as required.
Chassis: Clean the chassis with non-abrasive detergent, pH value 5-9 or
with 70 % disinfectant solution. Rinse and dry.
Upholstery: Wash - see label on upholstery.
In the event of problems, contact your Assistive Equipment
Centre.
(!) When necessary, lubricate moving parts/joints with cycle oil or similar.
Troubleshooting table
The wheelchair is pulling
diagonally
The wheelchair is difficult to
manoeuvre
The wheelchair is difficult
to turn
The brakes are ineffective
The rear wheels are “loose”
The rear wheels are difficult
to fit/remove
The castors “wobble”
The wheelchair is difficult
to fold/unfold
The wheelchair feels
“unsteady”
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