
8
SAFETY/HANDLING OF
WHEELCHAIRS A NOTE TO WHEELCHAIR ASSISTANTS
When assistance to the wheelchair user is required, re-
member to use good body mechanics. Keep your back
straightand bendyourknees whenevertilting thewheel-
chairortraversingcurbs,orotherimpediments.
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to lift the wheelchair by any re-
movable(detachable)parts.Liftingbymeansof
any removable (detachable) parts of a wheel-
chairmayresultininjurytotheuserordamageto
thewheelchair.
Also,beawareofanyremovable(detachable)parts.These
mustNEVERbeusedforhand-heldorliftingsupports,as
they may be inadvertently released, resulting in possible
injurytotheuserand/orassistant(s).
When learning a new assistance technique, have an ex-
periencedassistanthelpyoubeforeattemptingitalone.
“SafetyandHandling” ofthewheelchairrequirestheclose
attention of the wheelchair user as well as the assistant.
Thismanualpointsoutthemostcommonproceduresand
techniquesinvolvedinthesafeoperationandmaintenance
ofthewheelchair.Itisimportanttopracticeandmasterthese
safe techniques until you are comfortable in maneuvering
aroundthefrequentlyencounteredarchitecturalbarriers.
Use this information only as a “basic” guide. The tech-
niques that are discussed on the following pages have
been used successfully by many.
Individualwheelchairusersoftendevelopskillstodealwith
dailylivingactivitiesthatmaydifferfromthosedescribedin
this manual. Invacare recognizes and encourages each
individualto trywhat worksbestforhim/herin overcoming
architecturalobstaclesthat they may encounter, however,
ALL WARNINGS and CAUTIONS given in this manual,
MUST be followed. Techniques in this manual are a start-
ing point for the new wheelchair user and assistant with
“safety” as the most important consideration for all.
STABILITY AND BALANCE
WARNING
Inasmuch as ANTI-TIPPERS are an option on
this wheelchair (You may order NON-RECLIN-
ERS with or without the anti-tippers),
Invacare strongly recommends ordering
anti-tippers as an additional safeguard for
the wheelchair user. If so equipped, anti-
tippers MUST BE attached and pointing down
towards ground/floor at all times.
ALWAYS wear your Seat Positioning Strap.
Inasmuch as the SEAT POSITIONING STRAP is
an option on this wheelchair (You may or-
der with or without the Seat Positioning
Strap), Invacare strongly recommends or-
dering the Seat Positioning Strap as an addi-
tional safeguard for the wheelchair user.
To assure stability and proper operation of your wheelchair,
you must at all times wear your Seat Positioning Strap and
maintainproperbalance.Yourwheelchairhasbeendesigned
toremainuprightandstableduringnormaldailyactivitiesas
longasyoudonotmovebeyondthecenterofgravity.
DO NOT lean forward out of the wheelchair any further
than the length of the armrests. Make sure the casters
are pointing in the forward position whenever you lean
forward. This can be achieved by advancing the wheel-
chairand thenreversingitinastraightline.
Coping With Everyday Obstacles
Coping with the irritation of everyday obstacles can be
alleviated somewhat by learning how to manage your
wheelchair. Keep in mind your center of gravity to main-
tainstabilityandbalance.
Percentage of Weight Distribution
WARNING
Thebackheight,frontcasterposition,seat-to-floor
angle, position of the rear wheels, correct anti-
tipper as well as the end user's disability or end
user'sphysicalconditionandcapabilitiesdirectly
relate to the stability of the wheelchair. Any
changetoone(1)oranycombinationoftheeight
(8)maycausethewheelchairtodecreaseinsta-
bility. These adjustments MUST be per-
formed by a qualified technician.
DO NOT attempt to reach objects if you have to
move forward in the seat or pick them up from
thefloorbyreachingdownbetweenyourknees.
Manyactivitiesrequirethewheelchairusertoreach,bend
and transfer in and out of the wheelchair. These move-
ments will cause a change to normal balance, center of
gravity,andweightdistributionofthewheelchair.Todeter-
mine and establish your particular safety limits, practice
bending,reachingandtransferringactivitiesinseveralcom-
binationsinthepresenceofaqualifiedhealthcareprofes-
sionalBEFOREattemptingactiveuseofthewheelchair.
Properpositioningisessentialforyoursafety.Whenreach-
ing, leaning, bending forward, it is important to use the
frontcastersasatooltomaintainstabilityandbalance.
PROCEDURE 1 GENERAL GUIDELINES
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