1-7
ZR Owner’s Manual
OM0005_Rev A_ZR
CHAPTER 1: WARNINGS
chair and the changes you make to the setup or options will all affect the center of gravity and therefore the stability of
the chair. As the stability decreases, the risk of a fall or tip-over increases.
Set forth below is a list of various types of adjustments that you may be able to make to your wheelchair, depending
on the wheelchair model you own, and a brief description of how those adjustments will affect your center of gravity:
1. The position of the rear wheels is the most signiicant factor affecting your center of gravity. The more you move
the rear wheels forward, the more likely your chair will tip over backward.
2. The distance between the rear wheels. The less distance between the rear wheels, the greater the likelihood your
chair will tip over to the side.
3. The amount of rear wheel camber. The less camber, the greater the likelihood your chair will tip over to the side.
4. The height of your seat. As you raise the height of your seat, you raise your center of gravity and increase the
likelihood of all types of tip-overs.
5. The angle of your seat. As you increase the angle of your seat (relative to the loor), your position in the chair is
shifted toward the rear of the chair, increasing the likelihood your chair will tip over backward.
6. The angle of your backrest. As you increase the angle of your backrest (relative to the seat), your position in the
chair is shifted toward the rear of the chair, increasing the likelihood your chair will tip over backward.
7. The height of your seat back. As you lower the height of your seat back, you make it easier to lean back in your
chair, which in turn shifts your center of gravity rearward and increases the likelihood your chair will tip over
backward.
8. The position of your casters. As you move your casters rearward on the frame (toward the rear wheels), you
increase the likelihood your chair will tip over forward.
Other factors will affect your center of gravity:
1. A change in your body position, posture or weight distribution. For example, if you lean forward you shift the
center of gravity forward and increase the likelihood of tipping over forward.
2. Riding your chair on a ramp or slope. On an up-slope, your weight shifts to the rear and a backward tip-over
becomes more likely. On a down-slope, your weight shifts to the front of the chair and a forward tip-over becomes
more likely.
3. The use of a backpack or other options, and the amount of weight added by those options. For example, carrying
a lot of weight in a backpack will shift the center of gravity rearward and increase the likelihood of tipping over
backward. However, using a TiLite seat pouch beneath the seat sling to carry heavier items will lower your center
of gravity and reduce, but not eliminate, your risk of a tip over.
In order to reduce the risk of a tip-over, you should:
1. CONSULT your doctor, nurse or therapist to ind out what axle and caster position and other chair coniguration
options are best for you.
2. CONSULT your authorized TiLite dealer BEFORE you modify or adjust your wheelchair. Often, an adjustment you
wish to make can be offset by another that you have not considered. For example, you may want to adjust the
back angle rearward, 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 TiLite dealer will be able to give you expert,
personalized advice in such matters. See “Changing/Adjusting Your Wheelchair” on page 1-2.
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 anti-tips. See “Changing/Adjusting Your Wheel Chair” on page 1-2.
If you ignore these Warnings, you may fall, tip over or lose control of the wheelchair and seriously injure yourself or
others or damage the wheelchair.
B. TRANSFERRING IN AND OUT OF YOUR WHEELCHAIR
I
WARNING
Transferring in or out of your wheelchair is one of the most dangerous things you can attempt relating to your
wheelchair. It requires good balance, agility and upper body conditioning. At some point in every transfer, there is no
wheelchair seat beneath you and the seat, bed, etc. to or from which you are transferring is not beneath you either.
Important rules that will help to reduce the risk of a fall during a transfer are discussed below:
