Medifab Houdini Harness 28 B User manual

MODEL “B” - Standard Buckle
#4604-2803-017
MODEL “SB” - Anti-Escape Buckle
#4604-1303-017
PEN/KEY RELEASE UPGRADE
#4604-2805-031
CUSTOM: ______________________________
Serial Number:
Instruction Video
User Manual for all Houdini 28 Harnesses
Manual: Houdini2820191107
IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION NOTICE:
This manual contains important instructions that
must be passed on to the user of this product.
Please do not remove this manual before delivery
to the end user.
SUPPLIER:
This manual must be given to the user of this product.
USER:
Before using this product, read entire manual and save
for future reference.
Houdini Harness
Model 28
Installation and
User Manual

Model 28 can be used on both single & bench seats.
It can also be used with High Backed Booster Seats
& Booster Cushions.
Fits most types of vehicle seating including single,
double seats & some child booster seats.
To fit the harness access is required between the seat
back and seat cushion.
It is not a safety harness & should be worn in
conjunction with the vehicle safety belt.
ONE SIZE ONLY - 4 Years to Adult
(Approx. 15 Kg Upwards)
This harness has recently been modified so that
one size harness fits all.
These modifications will also allow for small children
travelling in booster seats with height adjustable
headrests such as the Britax Adventure.
Model 28
Designed to offer postural support and a certain degree of restraint to children and adults
to keep them in an upright sitting position.
Optional Extra
A Houdini Stop can be fitted to this harness.
This chest strap ensures the passenger stays safely
and correctly positioned within their harness.
It simply clips on to each shoulder strap of the
harness to help prevent the passenger from
separating the shoulder straps in order to escape.
This harness is available with a choice of buckle on the waist belt:-
Choose ‘Press Release’ buckle for those
passengers who need postural support.
Cat. Ref: 4604-2803-017
Choose ‘Steel Safety’ buckle for those
passengers with challenging behaviour
or inquisitive fingers.
Cat. Ref: 4604-2803-026
NB. This harness includes a ’Houdini
Stop’ free of charge.
Britax Adventure

Model 28 Fitting Instructions
6. Position the Understrap [f] centrally on the seat cushion
7. If the passenger is under 135cm place a Booster Seat or Cushion on top of the Understrap to comply with child seat safety
legislation (See back of Instructions for further information)
8. Position the Back Pad & Body Harness on the seat so that the waist belt will be in line with the waist when the passenger sits
down.
9. With the harness unfastened at the waist belt sit the passenger on the understrap / child seat in the most upright position as
possible & bring their arms through the shoulder straps [d].
10. Now bring the understrap [f] up between the legs and loop it back onto the waist belt over the buckle [h].
11. Connect the waist belt buckle to fasten the harness. Position the buckle centrally at waist level on the passenger.
12. Adjust all straps to fit tightly yet comfortably by pulling the tail-ends of strapping through the Adjuster Buckles [i].
13. If using the Houdini Stop Chest Strap [j], attach to Shoulder Straps underneath the Adjuster Buckles [j]. See instruction provided.
14. Ensure that the three Comfort Pads [g] are in position over the Adjuster Buckles [i] on the Shoulder & Under Straps.
15. Fasten the vehicle safety belt over the top of the Model 28 Harness.
16. To remove the passenger from the harness - Unfasten the buckle on the waist belt at the centre-front.
1. If fitting a brand new harness, remove any Rubber Bands & unfasten the two Vertical Fixing Straps [a].
2. Holding the two Aluminium Bar Buckles [b] (attached to the upper section of the Vertical Fixing Straps) place the back pad of the
harness against the front of the seat back & place the Fixing Straps up & over the seat back.
[b] 50mm Aluminium
Bar Buckle
3. Pass the tail-ends of the two lower sections
of the Vertical Fixing Straps [a] (on either side
of the understrap [f]), down through the gap
between the seat back & seat cushion.
Nb. The Understrap should remain lying on
the seat cushion.
4. Now feed the tail-ends of the Fixing straps up through the Aluminium Bar
Buckles (see diagram [b]) & pull down to tighten around the seat back as
securely as possible.
5. Each tail end should then be passed through the Sliplock Slide [c] to
prevent the Fixing Straps from loosening during transit.
[c] 50mm Sliplok slide
[a] Vertical Fixing Strap
[d] Shoulder Strap
[e] Waist Belt Buckle
[f] Understrap
[h]
40mm Adjuster Buckle
To Tighten Straps
Simply pull the tail-end of
the webbing strap.
The Adjuster will lock the
webbing into position
To Extend Straps
The 40mm Adjuster is slightly spring loaded
to lock the webbing into position.
To release the webbing you need to squeeze
the Adjuster whilst pulling on the lower
webbing strap.
[g]
[j] [i]

IMPORTANT: If you are intending to use the Houdini Stop on a child car seat, we would strongly advise that you check with the car seat
manufacturer first to seek their approval as there can be differences in regulations between EC and other countries.
( NB: Britax have not approved the use of the Houdini Stop for use with their child car seats )
Emergency Seat Belt Cutter (Optional Extra)
We strongly recommend that a seat belt cutter is kept in the vehicle
as a safety precaution for those harnesses fitted with a Steel Safety Buckle.
It is perfectly safe as the blade is encased.
Cat. Ref: 4604-0010-017
Houdini Stop
Model 28 fitted with the Steel Safety Buckle (28SB) comes fitted with a
Houdini Stop free of charge. It is optional with Model 28 Press Release (28)
This chest strap ensures the passenger stays safely and correctly
positioned within their harness.
It simply clips on to each shoulder strap of the harness to help prevent
the passenger from separating the shoulder straps in order to escape.
Steel Safety Buckle
40mm Buckle
This buckle has proven extremely successful when fitted to our
harnesses as an alternative to the standard ‘quick release’ buckle.
It helps prevent those passengers with inquisitive fingers,
challenging behaviour or learning difficulties from releasing the
harness buckle.
The buckle operates in reverse to the standard vehicle buckles as
it is opened by raising a spring loaded lever or over-catch and will
not press release. The spring loaded over-catch locks the buckle
when assembled and prevents accidental opening.
There is a knurled sliding bar for adjustment designed to prevent
webbing slip.
The buckle is made from Type 316 Stainless Steel and Nylon 6 and
is assembled with tamper proof screws.
40mm buckle - B/Strain 630 kgs.
50mm buckle - B/Strain 500 kgs
We recommend that the buckle instructions provided with each
harness are displayed in a prominent position in the vehicle - to
instruct the user how to release the buckle mechanism in the event
of an accident.
50mm Buckle
Webbing is threaded
through the sliding
bar buckle
Loose ends of webbing
are often passed back
through these slides to
prevent slippage & to
prevent the Fixing Straps
from loosening during
transit.
50mm Aluminium Bar Buckle
Sliplock Slide

All our range of children’s vehicle harnesses can
be used in conjunction with booster cushions
Booster cushions
Booster Seats
IMPORTANT: Our harnesses must NOT be used with child car seats already fitted with the 5 point harness.
The model 28 harness is fitted directly onto the vehicle seat first, prior to fitting the high backed booster seat.
The high backed booster seat is then fitted onto the vehicle seat.
The shoulder straps and waist belt of the harness are then brought around the booster seat.
The shoulder straps should slot between the shoulder of the booster seat & the head rest.
The harness is now ready for the child to get into.
Place the child into the booster seat & fasten the harness according to the Model 28 fitting instructions.
Once the child is securely & comfortably fastened in the harness, fasten the vehicle seat belt over the top of our
harness ensuring that it passes through the ‘belt guides’.
Please ensure that the high backed booster seat is fitted according to the manufacturers instructions & the head rest
is adjusted correctly. A properly adjusted headrest ensures the optimum distribution of the diagonal belt & provides
your child with the desired protection and comfort.
Model 28 -will fit both single and bench seats, as long as there is access between the seat cushion
& back rest of the vehicle seat to pass the fixing straps vertically around the back rest.
The Model 28 harness can be used on some high backed booster
seats with height-adjustable headrests, which extend to grow with
the child such as the Britax Adventure.
Some of our customers have found that they work very well together
offering postural support or extra security for those with learning
difficulties.
Britax Adventure
15 to 36kg (approx. 4 to 11 years)
Height-adjustable
headrest
IMPORTANT: This harness is not classed as a safety harness, but a low risk medical device.
The vehicle safety belt MUST be worn over the top of our harness unless they are exempt for medical reasons.
The combination of the existing safety belt & the secondary harness offers added security for the passenger.

Washing Instructions
HAND WASH ONLY - In warm water up to 70/80 degrees.
Use mild detergent/anti-bacterial liquid wash.
Mild disinfectant can be used.
DO NOT USE BLEACH
DO NOT TUMBLE DRY
General maintenance of our belts & harnesses:
Regularly inspect the belt or harness for damage, wear or malfunction. If any problems
are identified replace it immediately.
Regular checks are also necessary to assess the harness is still meeting the needs of the
user as over time these may change
Belts and harnesses should be replaced if they show any sign of fraying or cuts.
If the equipment was used during an accident, it should be replaced immediately.
Avoid contact with corrosive liquids and keep the webbing away from sharp edges.
All webbing and components can be cleaned as necessary. Please use warm soapy water
(up to 70/80˚) and a clean soft cloth.
Rinse with clear water, and allow to air dry. Please use mild detergent or anti bacterial
wash. Do not tumble dry.
Mild disinfectant or a mild spray disinfectant can be used ‐ but do not use products
containing bleach.
IMPORTANT: when cleaning or disinfecting do not immerse buckles in disinfectant or
water.
If storing a harness with a PVC/Leatherette chest or back pad, do not fold.
This may create creases which could cause discomfort to the passenger.
Do not attempt to modify the equipment, if there is a problem please contacts us.

Transport of Special Needs Passengers
Disabled children and adult passengers travelling in vehicles should always wear a safety belt or
special restraint during transport. Our range of vehicle harnesses are not designed to replace the
safety harness - but work in conjunction with it to offer both safety plus support and in some cases
a certain degree of restraint.
•The existing inertia seat belt fitted in the vehicle may not offer sufficient support to the more
severely disabled and it may be necessary to provide an extra restraint to hold the passenger
in an upright sitting position, in combination with the seat belt.
• Small children should be raised by a booster cushion’ so that the restraint fits better and the
child more comfortable during transport.
Front seat disabled passengers in vehicles, frequently fall sideways out of the diagonal chest
strap especially going around corners or sudden braking. Two vertical static shoulder straps
would offer additional support.
•The combination of the existing car safety belt and the added special restraint offers added
security and ensures that the disabled passenger will be well protected during transport.
•If no safety belt is available, the disabled person should be given some support or protection
in a Disabled Person’s Restraint.
BOOSTER CUSHIONS
Booster cushions can be used in conjunction
with all our range of vehicle harnesses.
This helps to raise the child to the correct
height for wearing the vehicle safety belt.
For current laws and guidelines please visit
the government website for your country
which contains these regulations.
Please note that all our range of vehicle harnesses
are designed for special needs passengers and
should be worn in conjunction with the existing
safety belt in the vehicle.
Illustrating one of our harnesses fitted in conjunction
with the existing vehicle safety belt.

New Zealand Head Oce
32 Detroit Drive,
Rolleston 7675
Call 0800 543 343
Australian Head Oce
26 Pardoe Street,
East Devonport, TAS 7310
Call 1300 543 343
[e-mail]
medifab.com
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