101244 Rev. G
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E N G L I S H
V I .
P. DRESSING OR CHANGING CLOTHES
WARNING
Be aware that your weight will shift if you dress or
change clothes while seated in this chair. To make the
chair more stable, rotate the front casters until they are
forward.
Q. OBSTACLES
WARNING
Obstacles you may have to overcome in daily use
include door thresholds, lifts, ramps and hazards such as
potholes and broken pavement. These can damage your
chair and may cause a fall, tip-over or loss of control.
1. Be aware that thresholds are very dangerous. (Even a small
change in height may stop a caster wheel and cause your
chair to tip). You may need to:
• Remove or cover threshold strips between rooms.
• Install a ramp at entry or exit doors.
2. Keep your eyes moving when you ride; scan the area well
ahead of your chair.
3. Make sure the floor areas where you use this chair are level
and free of obstacles.
4. To help correct your center of balance:
• Lean your upper body forward slightly as you go up over
an obstacle.
• Press your upper body backward as you go down from a
higher to a lower level.
R. DRIVING IN REVERSE
WARNING
Use extra care when you drive your chair in reverse.
You may lose control or fall if one of the rear wheels
hits an object.
1. Operate your chair slowly and at an even speed.
2. Stop often and check to make sure your path is clear of
obstacles.
S. RAMPS, SLOPES & SIDEHILLS
WARNING
The center of balance of your chair changes when you
are on a slope.
NOTE–
“Slope” includes a ramp or sidehill. Your chair is less stable when it
is at an angle. Never use this chair on a slope unless you are sure it
is safe. When in doubt, have someone help you.
Beware Of:
1. Steep slopes. Do Not use this chair on a slope steeper than
10%. (A 10% slope means: One foot in elevation for every
ten feet of slope length).
2. Wet or slippery surfaces (such as when ice, snow, water or oil
film is present). A loss of traction may cause a fall or tip-over.
3. A change in grade on a slope (or a lip, bump or depression).
These may cause a fall or tip-over.
4. A drop-off at the bottom of a slope. (A drop-off of as small
as 3/4 inch can stop a front caster and cause the chair to tip
forward).
T. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A FALL,
TIP-OVER OR LOSS OF CONTROL
WARNING
1. Never use your chair on a slope unless you are sure you can
do so without losing traction.
2. Always go as straight up and as straight down as you can.
• Do not “cut the corner” on a slope or ramp.
• Do not turn or change direction on a slope.
3. Always stay in the center of the ramp. Make sure ramp is
wide enough that you are not at risk that a wheel may roll
off the side.
4. Lean or press your body uphill. This will help adjust for a
change in the center of balance caused by the slope.
5. Keep your chair moving at a slow, steady speed. Keep control
over the chair at all times.
• On a descent, do not let your chair accelerate beyond its
normal speed.
• If the chair picks up speed, center the joystick to slow
down or stop.
NOTE–
The solid state controller of your chair has a logic system that will
help control your speed when driving on a slope or uphill.
• If you stop, re-start slowly.
U. RAMPS AT HOME & WORK
WARNING
Make sure ramps meet all Building Codes for your area.
1. For your safety, have a licensed contractor build or remodel
ramp to meet all standards.
2.
NOTE–
The proper design will vary, depending on such
things as: the length and height of the ramp; the need for an
intermediate platform; landing size; doors and the direction
of swing; and whether the ramp includes a turn or angle.
At A Minimum:
1. Open sides of ramp must have side rails to prevent your
chair from going over the edge.
2. Slope must not be steeper than one inch in height for every
one foot of slope length.
3. Ramp surface must be even, and have a non-skid surface.
4. You may need to add a section at the top or bottom to avoid
a lip or drop-off.
5. Ramp must be sturdy. Add bracing if needed, so ramp does
not “bow” when you ride on it.
V. WHEELCHAIR LIFTS
WARNING
Wheelchair lifts are used in vans, buses, and buildings to
help you move from one level to another.
1. Always turn off all power to your chair when you are on a lift.
If you fail to do so, you may touch the joystick by accident
and cause your chair to drive off the platform. (Be aware that
a “roll-stop” at the end of the platform may not prevent this).
2. Make sure there is not a lip or drop-off at the top or bottom
of the platform. These may cause a fall or tip-over. When in
doubt, have someone help you.
3. Always secure the rider with a positioning belt to help pre-
vent falls during transfers.
4. Avoid moving forward if a wheel is “hung up” on the lip of
the ramp. Backup, reposition the caster for a more direct
approach and slowly try again.
