USER MANUAL | RIGID WHEELCHAIRS –
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
NOTE: If you ignore these warnings or fail to inspect or maintain your wheelchair as directed in the manual, you may fall, tip over or lose control of the wheelchair and seriously injure yourself or others and damage the
wheelchair.
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3. ALWAYS have someone assist you until you learn your chair’s
balance points and are completely comfortable in your ability to
operate it under all conditions without tipping over.
4. ALWAYS use 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 your wheelchair.
6.4.2 BALANCE POINT
It is important to begin by learning all the specific characteristics of
your wheelchair with the assistance of a therapist. Any additional
weight will affect the balance point of your wheelchair. Be aware
of the new riding characteristics following any alterations to your
wheelchair. Your body position, posture or weight distribution will
shift your wheelchair’s center of gravity. The center of gravity is
affected by the angle of the wheelchair on a ramp or slope. This can
be felt in forward and backward as well as side to side movements.
Have someone help you learn the various riding techniques.
Use anti-tippers until you are skilled at riding your wheelchair in
any situation.
6.4.3 WHEELIES
• A wheelie means lifting the front wheels off the ground and
balancing on the rear wheels.
• DO NOT attempt to perform a wheelie with your wheelchair be-
cause of the dangerous nature of this kind of maneuver. Motion
Composites recognizes that some wheelchair users will ignore
this Warning. Should you decide to ignore this Warning, 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 health care advisor. NEVER try to learn to do a wheelie
without an assistant who can catch you if you start to fall.
NEVER attempt to learn to do a wheelie unless you are a skilled
rider on this chair.
• Motion Composites recommends to always use the anti-tippers
unless they need to be removed to go up or down a curb or
step. Anti-tippers should be reinstalled once the curb/step is
cleared.
6.4.4 TRANSFERRING
• Rotate the casters forward to enhance stability.
• Place the wheelchair as close as possible to your transfer loca-
tion.
• Lock the wheels.
• Position yourself as far back as possible when transferring
weight to reduce 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.
WARNING
Always ask a therapist to teach you safe transfer
methods.
For safety reasons, user should always reduce to the
minimum the transfer distance.
• DO NOT sit or transfer into the wheelchair unless the backrest
is fully unfolded.
• DO NOT use the footrest 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 and lock anti-tippers in the downward position.
• 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
WARNING
The balance point may shift when dressing and/or reaching
for objects while sitting in the wheelchair.
• If possible, use a reaching device or ask for assistance when
reaching for objects.
• Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the required object.
Rotate the casters as far forward as possible from the rear
wheels.
• Always make sure you are sitting fully back in the seat to en-
sure your safety. Do no shift your weight sideways, rather opt to
move towards the front of the wheelchair. Keep one hand on the
wheel or armrest opposite the side of the object you are trying
to reach.
Never reach to the rear of the wheelchair unless it is equipped
with anti-tippers.
• Never reach for objects over the seat back: reach only as far as
your arm naturally extends without moving on the seat.
• DO NOT lock the rear wheels if you are reaching backwards.
• Avoid putting pressure on the footrests.
6.4.7 MOVING BACKWARDS
• Make sure both anti-tippers are locked in the lower position.
• Move slowly: the wheelchair is designed to provide you with
more stability 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
corresponds to a slope of 17.63%, a rise of 1.74 feet (0.53 meter)
over a distance of 10 feet (3 meters).
• Make sure to be assisted by a caregiver who has the physical
ability to retain the wheelchair and its occupant.
• The wheelchair must always point facing up the slope.
• The caregiver should always remain behind the wheelchair to
retain it.
• Always lock the anti-tip per anti-tipper in the safe position.
• Follow the same words of caution for a hill or a slope of 10% or
less.
• Do not use your wheelchair on a ramp under 3 meters in length
if the slope angle is greater than 10 degrees (17.63%).
