7
Stability and Balance
WARNING
ALWAYS wear your seat positioning strap.
To assure stability and proper operation of your wheel-
chair, 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. DO NOT lean forward
out of the wheelchair any further than the length of the
armrests.
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-
tain stability and balance.
A Note to Wheelchair Assistants
When assistance to the wheelchair user is required, re-
member to use good body mechanics. Keep your back
straight and bend your knees whenever tilting wheel-
chair or traversing curbs, or other impediments.
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to lift the wheelchair by any
removable (detachable) parts. Lifting by means
of any removable (detachable) parts of a wheel-
chair may result in injury to the user or damage
to the wheelchair.
Also, be aware of detachable parts such as arms or leg-
rests. These must NEVER be used for hand-hold or lift-
ing supports, as they may be inadvertently released, re-
sulting in possible injury to the user and/or assistant(s).
When learning a new assistance technique, have an ex-
perienced assistant help you before attempting it alone.
Percentage of Weight Distribution
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to reach objects if you have to
move forward in the seat or pick them up from
the floor by reaching down between your knees.
Many activities require the wheelchair user to
reach, bend and transfer in and out of the wheel-
chair. These movements will cause a change to
normal balance, center of gravity, and weight
distribution of the wheelchair. To determine and
establish your particular safety limits, practice
bending, reaching and transferring activities in
several combinations in the presence of a quali-
fied healthcare professional BEFORE attempting
active use of the wheelchair.
Reaching, Bending - Backward
WARNING
DO NOT lean over the top of the back uphol-
stery. This will change your center of gravity
and may cause you to tip over.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
PROCEDURE 1
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WARNING
Proper positioning is essential for your safety. When
reaching, leaning, bending or bending forward,
it is important to use the rear casters as a tool to
maintain stability and balance.
Functional Reach From a Wheelchair
The approximate reach-limit values shown in the accompa-
nying graphs were derived on the basis of a sample of 91
male and 36 female wheelchair users. Note the difference
between the maximum and the comfortable reach limits, a
subjective but important consideration in design.
Reaching, Leaning, Bending and Bending -
Forward
Position the rear casters so that they are extended as far
forward as possible and engage motor locks/clutches.
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to reach objects if you have
to move forward in the seat or pick them up
from the floor by reaching down between your
knees.
