10
11
!
WARNING
G. WHEN SEATED IN A PARKED
POWER WHEELCHAIR
1. ALWAYS turn off all power to your wheelchair when
you are parked, even for a moment. This will prevent:
• Accidental movement from contact with the joystick
by you or others.
• Unintended movement from EMI sources. (See
Section
V
).
2. Make sure that people who help you (for example,
store clerks) are aware of the joystick and DO NOT
touch it. If they do, your wheelchair may move
suddenly when you do not expect it.
!
WARNING
H. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Your power wheelchair is not designed for use in a heavy
rain storm, or in snowy or icy conditions.
1. Contact with water or excessive moisture can cause
an electrical malfunction. The frame, motors and other
parts are not water-tight and may rust or corrode from
the inside.
To avoid a malfunction:
• Minimize exposure of your power wheelchair to rain
or very wet condi tions.
• NEVER take your power wheelchair into a shower,
tub, pool or sauna.
• DO NOT use your power wheelchair in fresh
or salt water (such as at the edge of a stream,
lake, or ocean).
• Make sure the battery pole protection caps
are secured.
• Replace joystick rubber gaiter if it becomes torn
or cracked.
• Make sure all electrical connections are secure.
• Dry the wheelchair as soon as you can if it gets
wet, or if you use water to clean it.
2. Proceed slowly and use extra care if you must operate
your power wheelchair on a wet or slick surface.
• When in doubt, have someone help you.
• Do so only if you are sure it is safe.
• Stop if one or both main wheels lose traction.
If this occurs, you may lose control of your
wheelchair or fall.
• NEVER operate your wheelchair on a slope or ramp
if there is snow, ice, water or an oil film present.
!
WARNING
Extra caution should be used when employing the Micro
Light switch or the proximity head array as control devices.
These two devices are susceptible to malfunction when wet.
!
WARNING
I. TERRAIN
1. This power wheelchair will perform at optimum on
firm, even surfaces such as concrete, asphalt and
indoor flooring.
2. Although equipped with suspension, the performance
can be substantially reduced on uneven surfaces and
rough terrain.
3. DO NOT operate the power wheelchair on sand,
loose gravel or soil. Doing so may damage wheels,
bearings, axles, motors or loosen fasteners.
!
WARNING
J. STREET USE
In some areas, power wheelchairs are not legal for use on
pub lic roads. Be alert to the danger of motor vehicles on
roads or in parking lots.
1. DO NOT operate this power wheelchair on any roads
that do not allow non-motor vehicle traffic.
2. When visibility is limited by either darkness or weather
conditions, DO NOT operate the power wheelchair on
any roadways.
3. It may be hard for drivers to see you. Make eye
contact with drivers before you proceed. When in
doubt, yield until you are sure it is safe.
!
WARNING
K. MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY/TRANSIT USE
Your power wheelchair has been manufactured with built-
in transport brackets.
The standard transport brackets have not been crash-
tested in accor dance with WC-19. Use these transport
brackets only to secure an unoccupied power wheelchair
during transport.
1. NEVER let anyone sit in the wheelchair while in a
moving vehicle.
2. NEVER transport the wheelchair in the front seat of a
vehicle. It may shift and interfere with the driver.
3. ALWAYS secure the wheelchair so that it cannot roll
or shift.
4. DO NOT use a power wheelchair that has been
involved in a motor vehicle accident.
5. For information concerning approved WC-19 tie down
systems, please consult WC-19 Manual.
!
WARNING
L. CENTER OF GRAVITY (CG)
The point where a power wheelchair will tip forward, back,
or to the side depends on its center of gravity and stability.
The center of gravity is affected by:
1. The seat height and seat angle.
2. A change in your body position, posture or
weight distribution.
3. Using the wheelchair on a ramp or slope.
4. The use of a back pack or other options, and the
amount of added weight.
5. Drive wheel positioning.
To reduce the risk of a fall or tip-over:
Whenever a condition exists that may change the center
of gravity, reduce speed, proceed cautiously, and when in
doubt, ALWAYS have someone help you.
!
WARNING
M. TRANSFERS
It is dangerous to transfer on your own. It requires good
bal ance and agility. Be aware that there is a point during
every trans fer when the wheelchair seat is not below you.
To prevent a fall:
1. ALWAYS turn off power before you transfer to or from
your wheelchair. If you leave the power on, you may
touch the joystick and cause your wheelchair to move
when you do not expect it.
2. Make sure freewheel/brake release levers are
engaged. This keeps the power wheelchair from
moving when you transfer.
3. Work with your health care professional to learn
safe methods.
4. Learn how to position your body and how to support
yourself during a transfer. (See Fig.1 below for
recommended transfer position).
5. Have someone help you until you are sure you can
safely transfer on your own.
6. Move your wheelchair as close as you can to the
seat you are transferring to. If possible, use a
transfer board.
7. Rotate the front casters until they are as far forward
as possible.
8. Be careful of the footrests. If you can, remove or swing
them out of the way.
9. NEVER stand on footrests when you transfer. Doing so
may damage them or cause your wheelchair to tip.
10. Make sure your feet do not get hooked on or caught in
the space between the footplates.
11. Make sure armrests do not interfere.
12. Transfer as far back onto the seat surface as you can.
This will reduce the risk that you will miss the seat
or fall.
t
VI
. GENERAL WARNINGS
VI
. GENERAL WARNINGS
u
Figure 1.
Use caution when transferring to
and from your wheelchair.
