Product Manual

SECTION 2—SAFE HANDLING
Part No 1122172 17 Everyday Series Wheelchairs/Sport Series Wheelchairs
SECTION 2—SAFE HANDLING
“SafetyandHandling”ofthewheelchairrequiresthecloseattentionofthewheelchairuseraswellastheassistant.This
manualpointsoutthemostcommonproceduresandtechniquesinvolvedinthesafeoperationandmaintenanceofthe
wheelchair.Itisimportanttopracticeandmasterthesesafetechniquesuntilyou
arecomfortableinmaneuveringaround
thefrequentlyencounteredarchitectura lbarriers.
Usethisinformationonlyasa“basic”guide.Thetechniquesthatarediscussedonthefollowingpageshavebeenused
successfullybymany.
Individualwheelchairusersoftendevelopskillstodealwithdailylivingactivitiesthatmaydifferfromthosedescribed
in
thismanual.Invacarerecognizesandencourageseachindividualtotrywhatworksbestforhim/herinovercoming
architecturalobstaclesthattheymayencounter,however,ALLWARNINGSandCAUTIONSgiveninthismanualMUST
befollowed.Techniquesinthismanualareastartingpointforthenewwheelchairuserandassistant
with“safety”asthe
mostimportantconsiderationforall.
Stability and Balance
 WARNING
ALWAYS wear your seat positioning strap. Inasmuch as the SEAT POSITIONING STRAP is an
option on this wheelchair (you may order with or without the seat positioning strap), Invacare
strongly recommends ordering the seat positioning strap as an additional safeguard for the
wheelchair user.
The seat positioning strap is a positioning belt only. It is not designed for use as a safety device
withstanding high stress loads such as auto or aircraft safety belts. If signs of wear appear, belt
MUST be replaced immediately.
Anti-tippers MUST BE attached at all times. Inasmuch as the anti-tippers are an option on this
wheelchair (you may order with or without the anti-tippers), Invacare strongly recommends
ordering the anti-tippers as an additional safeguard for the wheelchair user.
Toassurestabilityandproperoperationofyourwheelchair,youmustatalltimesmaintainproperbalance.Yourwheelchair
hasbeendesignedtoremainuprightandstableduringnormaldailyactivitiesaslong asyoudonotmovebeyondthecenter
ofgravity.
Virtuallyallactivitieswhichinvolvemovementinthewheelchairhaveaneffectonthecenterofgravity.Inva care recommends
usingseatpositioningstrapsfor additionalsafetywhileinvolvedinactivitiesthatshiftyourweight.
DONOTleanforwardoutofthewheelchairanyfurtherthanstability willallow.Makesurecastors
arepointingintheforward
positionwheneveryouleanforward.Thiscanbeachievedbyadvancingthewheelchair andthenreversingitinastraightline.
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maintainstabilityandbalance.
A Note to Wheelchair Assistants
Whenassistancetothewheelchairuserisrequired,remembertousegoodbodymechanics.Keepyourbackstraightand
bendyourkneeswhenevertiltingthewheelchairortraversingcurbs,orotherimpediments.
 WARNING
DO NOT attempt to lift a wheelchair by lifting on any removable (detachable) parts. Lifting by
means of any removable (detachable) parts of a wheelchair may result in injury to the user or
damage to the wheelchair.
Also,beawareofanyremovable(detachable)parts.ThesemustNEVERbeusedtomovethewheelchairoraslifting
supports,astheymaybeinadvertentlyreleased,resultinginpossibleinjurytotheuserand/orassistant(s).
Whenlearninganewassistancetechnique,haveanexperiencedassistanthelpyoubeforeattemptingit
alone.