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A L L C O U R T
VI. WARNINGS: FALLS & TIP-OVERS
have guardrails (or raised borders at least three inches high).
c. Slope. Not more than a 10% grade.
d. Surface. Flat and even, with a thin carpet or other non-skid
material. (Make sure there is no lip, bump or depression.)
e. Bracing. Ramp must be STURDY. You may need bracing
so ramp does not “bow” when you ride on it.
f.
Avoid A Drop Off. You may need a section at the top or
bottom to smooth out the transition.
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.
H. TRANSFER
WARNING
It is dangerous to transfer on your own. It requires
good balance and agility. Be aware that there is a point
during every transfer when the wheelchair seat is not
below you. To Avoid A Fall:
1. Work with your health care advisor to learn safe methods.
a. Learn how to position your body and how to support
yourself during a transfer.
b. Have someone help you until you know how to do a safe
transfer on your own.
2. Lock the rear wheels before you transfer. This keeps the rear
wheels from rolling.
NOTE–
This will NOT keep your chair from sliding away
from you or tipping.
3. Make sure to keep pneumatic tires properly inflated. Low
tire pressure may allow the rear wheel locks to slip.
4. Move your chair as close as you can to the seat you are
transferring to. If possible, use a transfer board.
5. Rotate the front casters until they are as far forward as possible.
6. If you can, remove or swing footrests out of the way.
a. Make sure your feet do not catch in the space between
the footrests.
b. Avoid putting weight on the footrests as this may cause
the chair to tip.
7. Make sure armrests are out of the way and do not interfere.
8. Transfer as far back onto the seat surface as you can. This will
reduce the risk that the chair will tip or move away from you.
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.
I. CURBS & STEPS
WARNING
1. Each person who helps you should read and follow the warn-
ings “For Safe Use” (Section VII).
2. Do not try to climb or descend a curb or step alone UNLESS
you are a skilled rider of this chair and:
a. You can safely do a “wheelie”; and
b. You are sure you have the strength and balance to do so.
3. Unlock and rotate anti-tip tubes up, out of the way, so they
do not interfere.
4. Do not try to climb a high curb or step (more than 4 inches
high) UNLESS you have help. Doing so may cause your chair
to exceed its balance point and tip over.
5. Go straight up and straight down a curb or step. If you climb
or descend at an angle, a fall or tip-over is likely.
6. Be aware that the impact of dropping down from a curb or
step can damage your chair or loosen fasteners.
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.
e. Rotate the front casters until they are as far forward as
possible. This makes the chair more stable.
NOTE–
To do this: Move your chair past the object you want to
reach, then back up alongside it. Backing up will rotate
the casters forward.
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 for-
ward. 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 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.
G. RAMPS, SLOPES & SIDEHILLS
WARNING
Riding on a slope, which includes a ramp or sidehill, will
change the center of balance of your chair. Your chair is
less stable when it is at an angle. 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.)
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. Always stay in the CENTER of the ramp. Make sure ramp is
wide enough that you are not at risk that a wheel may fall
over the edge.
5. Do not stop on a steep slope. If you stop, you may lose con-
trol 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. Beware Of:
a. Wet or slippery surfaces.
b. A change in grade on a slope (or a lip, bump or depres-
sion). These may cause a fall or tip-over.
c. 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.
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 side hill.
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. We
recommend:
a. Width. At least four feet wide.
b. Guardrails. To reduce the risk of a fall, sides of ramp must
