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Issue_B November 2015 10 Dash Stowaway
6.6 FOOTREST
Correct positioning of the footrests to suit occupant size
and position is very important as it has a major effect on
distribution of seating pressure. The underside of the
occupant’s legs should be supported as far forward as
possible over the length of the seat, to reduce high-
pressure areas. When transferring to and from the
wheelchair, avoid contact and weight on the footrest, as
this will cause the wheelchair to tip forwards.
Keep fingers and other items away from the footrest
attachment assembly when it is being
attached to prevent injury .
When the chair is fully open, push the footrests down.
The height of footrests on the Dash Stowaway is
adjustable.
With the user sitting in the wheelchair, lower the footplate
and ensure that it is in a comfortable position for their
feet. The safest position is usually with thighs horizontal,
and hips and knees at right angles. If the position is not
comfortable the footplate can be adjusted.
To
detach
the
footrest
assembly: undo and remove
the retaining screw
’a’
and
lift out of the frame. To
attach
the
footrest
assembly:
Locate
the
footrest in the front frame
and Align the holes to the
required setting and replace
and tighten the retaining
screw ensuring that the
screw head is on the outside
of the chair
‘a’
7. HANDLING & STABILITY ON STEPS & SLOPES
A little forward planning can eliminate difficult
manoeuvres such as steps. Modern public buildings
should provide permanent wheelchair ramps, with a
practical slope angle, built according to regulations, for
safe access.
Technical Test data on stability of wheelchairs should be
seen as a tool for comparison. Data does not convey
actual feel of the wheelchair in the intended
environment. Initial supervised user training and
assessment by a rehabilitation professional, with the
wheelchair in the intended usage environment is
recommended, and users should ensure that they are
confident with regard to this aspect of use.
An important factor in considering accessibility and
slopes is the effort demanded from the occupant or
attendant using the chair (attendant brakes are an
available option). Pushing up a steep slope which
extends over a distance, may create a need to stop and
rest, which in turn demands additional and undesirable
effort to start back upwards again. Stopping a
wheelchair on a steep downward slope also demands
effort and control, and surface conditions need to be
taken into account when deciding what outdoor route to
take. Manoeuvres, which demand over exertion, may
create risk of injury to the user and should be avoided.
However, if in temporary difficulty, wheelchair users
should not hesitate in asking for assistance from people
nearby, someone will usually be happy to help.
Modern buildings should have slopes built to a required
standard angle, but this is not the case with all access
areas. Learning the geography of an area is important.
As an all round guide, a maximum safe slope of 8
degrees is our recommendation for the R Healthcare
range of manually propelled wheelchairs. However this
recommendation may need to be changed if the
wheelchair has attachments added to it, such as an
elevating legrest or carry bag, which adversely affects
stability.
Such changes to the chair specification may
have a critical effect, and they require re-assessment by
rehabilitation professional.
Where possible, the hazard of negotiating steps should
be avoided. Many falls and injuries to both occupant and
helper can occur when inexperienced people are
carrying out this operation, and if users or carers are
concerned about a particular hazard in the usage
environment, which they must regularly overcome, they
should consult their wheelchair rehabilitation service, or
community services department, as appropriate.
6.7 CASTOR
Tools required: 4mm Allen Key
Fig 9
– Castor
assembly
exploded view
SAFE SLOPE OF 8 DEGREES FOR
MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS
There are three height selection
holes for the castor wheel;
however only the middle one
should be used
