TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – FOLDING WHEELCHAIRS | USER MANUAL
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6.4 RIDING YOUR WHEELCHAIR
6.4.1 TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A TIP-OVER, YOU SHOULD:
1 CONSULT your doctor, nurse or therapist to find out what axle
and caster position and other chair configuration options are
best for you.
2 CONSULT your authorized Motion Composites dealer BEFORE
modifying or adjusting your wheelchair. Often, an adjustment
you wish to make can be offset by the one you have not consid-
ered. For example, you may want to adjust the back angle rear-
ward, which will increase the likelihood of a rear tip-over. You
might not think you could counteract this tendency by moving
the rear wheels backward. Your authorized Motion Composites
dealer will be able to give you expert, personalized advice in
such matters.
3 ALWAYS have someone assist you until you learn your chair’s
balance points and are completely comfortable in your ability to
operate your chair under all conditions so as to avoid tip-overs.
4 ALWAYS use both anti-tippers.
If you ignore these Warnings, you may fall, tip over or lose control
of the wheelchair and seriously injure yourself or others and dam-
age the wheelchair.
6.4.2 BALANCE POINT
– It is important to begin by learning all of the specific character-
istics of your wheelchair in the company of your therapist.
– Any additional weight will modify the balance point of your
wheelchair.
– Be aware of new riding characteristics following any modifica-
tion of your wheelchair.
– Your body position, posture or weight distribution will shift the
center of gravity of your wheelchair.
– The center of gravity is affected by the angle of the wheelchair
on a ramp or slope: front to back or by the side.
– Have someone help you learn the various riding techniques.
Always use the anti-tippers if you are not experienced in riding
the wheelchair with its current adjustments.
6.4.3 WHEELIES
– Raising the wheelchair involves lifting the front wheels off the
ground and maintaining balance on the rear wheels.
– DO NOT attempt to perform a wheelie in your wheelchair be-
cause of the dangerous nature of this kind of maneuver. Motion
Composites recognizes that some wheelchair users will ignore
this warning. If you decide to ignore this warning, you should
follow these steps to help learn to do a wheelie as safely as
possible.
– NEVER attempt to learn to do a wheelie without first consulting
your therapist. NEVER attempt to learn to do a wheelie without
an assistant that can catch you if it happens that you start to
fall. NEVER attempt to learn to do a wheelie unless you are a
skilled rider on this chair.
– Motion Composites always recommend using both anti-tippers
at all time, unless they need to be removed to go up or down a
curb or steps.
WARNING
Anti-tippers should be reinstalled once the curb/step is
cleared.
6.4.4 TRANSFERRING
– Rotate the casters forward to enhance the stability of the chair.
– Place the wheelchair as close to your transfer location as possi-
ble.
– Engage wheel locks.
– Position yourself as far back as possible when transferring
weight to reduce the risk of tipping forward. If you have good
upper body strength, balance and agility, you may be able to
perform transfers independently.
– If at all possible, move the footrest in a position that will avoid
putting weight on it. If possible, use a transfer board.
WARNINGS
Always ask a therapist to teach you safe transfer methods.
For security reasons, the user should always
shorten the transfer distance to the minimum.
DO NOT sit or transfer into the wheelchair unless it is fully
open and the seat frame rails are fully seated into the
receivers.
DO NOT use the footrests as a platform when getting in or
out of the wheelchair or to reach for an object.
6.4.5 GETTING DRESSED
– When dressing or undressing on the wheelchair, rotate the
casters forward, position anti-tippers in the lower position and
lock the wheels.
– If your wheelchair is not equipped with anti-tippers, back it
against a wall and lock the rear wheels.
6.4.6 REACHING/LEANING/BENDING
CAUTION
The center of gravity may shift when you are putting on
clothes and that you bend or stretch on the wheelchair.
– If possible, use a tool to reach for an object to increase your
reach or ask for assistance.
– Move the wheelchair as close to the required object as possible.
– Rotate the casters forward.
– At all times, make sure you are seated fully in the seat to en-
sure your safety.
– Never lean backwards unless the wheelchair is equipped with
anti-tippers.
– Never try to reach for an object behind the seat. Reach only for
objects within reach without moving on the seat.
– DO NOT lock the rear wheels if you are bending backwards.
– Avoid leaning on footrests.
6.4.7 MOVING BACKWARDS
– Make sure both anti-tippers are well fixed and turned down-
wards.
– Move slowly as the wheelchair is designed to provide more sta-
bility when moving forward. Look around as often as possible to
avoid obstacles in your path.
6.4.8 RAMPS, SLOPES & SIDE HILLS
RAMPS OF 10 FEET (3 METERS) OR LESS IN LENGTH
– If you need to use a short ramp of 10 feet (3 meters) or less,
the angle of the slope should not exceed 10 degrees, which cor-
responds to a slope of 17.63%, a rise of 1.74 feet (0.53 meters)
over a distance of 10 feet (3 meters).
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