E. REACHING OR LEANING
WARNING
If you reach or lean it will affect the center of balance of your chair. This
may cause you to fall or tip over. When in doubt, ask for help or use a
device to extend your reach.
1.
NEVER reach or lean if you must shift your weight sideways or rise up
off the seat.
2.
NEVER reach or lean if you must move forward in your seat to do
so. Always keep your buttocks in contact with the backrest.
3.
NEVER reach with both hands (you may not be able to catch your-
self to prevent a fall if the chair tips).
4.
NEVER reach or lean to the rear unless your chair has anti-tip tubes
locked in place.
5.
DO NOT reach or lean over the top of the seat back. This may
damage one or both backrest tubes and cause you to fall.
6.
If You Must Reach Or Lean:
a.
Do not lock the rear wheels. This creates a tip point and makes
a fall or tip-over more likely.
b.
Do not put pressure on the footrests.
c.
Move your chair as close as you can to the object you wish to
reach.
d.
Do not try to pick up an object from the floor by reaching
down between your knees. You are less likely to tip if you reach
to the side of your chair.
e.
Rotate the front casters until they are as far forward as possible.
This makes the chair more stable.
f.
Firmly grasp a rear wheel or an armrest with one hand. This will
help to prevent a fall if the chair tips.
If you fail to heed these warnings damage to your chair, a fall, tip-over or
loss of control may occur and cause severe injury to the rider or others.
F. MOVING BACKWARD
WARNING
Use extra care when you move your chair backward. Your chair is most
stable when you propel yourself forward. You may lose control or tip over
if one of the rear wheels hits an object and stops rolling.
1.
Propel your chair slowly and smoothly.
2.
If your chair has anti-tip tubes, make sure to lock them in place.
3.
Stop often and check to be sure your path is clear.
If you fail to heed this warning, you are at a high risk of damage to your
chair, a fall, tip-over or loss of control that may occur and cause severe
injury to the rider or others.
G. ESCALATORS
WARNING
NEVER use this chair on an escalator, even with an attendant. If you do, a
fall or tip-over is likely.
H. RAMPS, SLOPES & SIDEHILLS
WARNING
Whenever possible, avoid riding on a slope, which includes a ramp or side-
hill. This will change the center of balance of your chair. Your chair is less
stable and more difficult to manuever. when it is at an angle. When moving
up a hill, anti-tip tubes may not prevent a fall or tip-over.
1.
Do not use your chair on a slope steeper than 10%. (A 10% slope
means: one foot in elevation for every ten feet of slope length.
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2.
Always go as straight up and as straight down as you can. (Do not
“cut the corner” on a slope or ramp.)
3.
Do not turn or change direction on a slope.
4.
When you have to use a ramp, always stay in the CENTER of the
ramp. Make sure ramp is wide enough that you have no risk of going
off the edge.
5.
Do not stop on a steep slope. If you stop, you may lose control of
your chair.
6.
NEVER use rear wheel locks to try to slow or stop your chair. This
is likely to cause your chair to veer out of control.
7.
ALWAYS be aware of:
a.
Wet or slippery surfaces.
b.
A change in grade on a slope (or a lip, bump or depression).
These may cause a fall or tip-over.
c.
A drop-off at the bottom of a slope or ramp. A drop-off as
small as 3/4 inch can stop a front caster and cause the chair to
tip forward.
8.
To Reduce The Risk Of A Fall Or Tip-Over:
a.
Lean or press your body UPHILL. This will help adjust for the
change in the center of balance caused by the slope or sidehill.
b.
Keep pressure on the handrims to control your speed on a
down slope. If you go too fast you may lose control.
c.
Ask for help any time you are in doubt.
9.
Ramps At Home & Work– For your safety, ramps at home and work
must meet all legal requirements for your area:
a. Avoid A Drop Off. You may need a section at the top or bot-
tom to smooth out the transition.
b.
Always stay in the center of the ramp and control your speed.
If you fail to heed these warnings damage to your chair, a fall, tip-over or
loss of control may occur and can possibly cause severe injury to the rider
or others.
VI. SAFETY WARNINGS: FALLS & TIP-OVERS
E NG LI S H
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IF you need to go down a hill:
a. The downslope should be less
than 10°
b. GO SLOW
c. ALWAYS go straight down
d. ALWAYS control your speed
e. DO NOT Turn on the hill.
IF you need to go up a hill:
a. The Upslope should be less
than 10°
b. ALWAYS go straight up
c. NEVER stop on the upslope
d. NEVER turn on a hill.
e. ALWAYS lean forward.
IF you need to traverse a sidehill:
a. The sidehill must be less than
6° or you risk a tip-over
b. DON’T STOP
c. ALWAYS go straight down
d. DO NOT Turn on the hill.
IF you need to traverse a ramp:
a. Go slowly
b. Watch out for Drop-offs.
c. ALWAYS go straight down.
d. Stay centered on the ramp.
e. ALWAYS lean forward.
