VI. SAFETY WARNINGS: FALLS AND TIP-OVERS
E NG LI S H
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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
yourself 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 reach-
ing 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 moving your chair backward. Your chair is
most stable when you propel yourself forward. You may lose con-
trol or tip over if one of the rear wheels hits an object and stops
rolling while moving backward.
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.
If you fail to heed this warning you and others that may be assist-
ing you, are at a high risk of severe injury.
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Downslope: less than 10°
• Go straight down
• Control your speed
• Go Slow
• No Turns
Upslope: less than 10°
• Lean Forward
• Sit straight up
• Don’t stop
• No Turns
Sidehill: less than 6°
• Don’t stop
• No Turns
• Lean uphill
Ramps
• No Drop-offs
• Go straight down
• Stay centered, Go Slow
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H. RAMPS, SLOPES & SIDEHILLS
WARNING
Whenever possible, avoid riding on a slope, which includes a ramp
or sidehill. 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. Always ask for help when riding on slopes.
1. Do not use your chair on a slope steeper than 10°.
2. Avoid Sidehills. Do not use your chair on a sidehill with a
slope steeper than 6°.
3. Always go straight up or straight down a slope. Do not “cut
the corner” on a slope or ramp.
4. Do not turn or change direction on a slope.
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 con-
trol.
7. ALWAYS be aware 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 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.
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
bottom to smooth out the transition.
b. Stay in the center of the ramp and control your speed.
10. When you have to use a ramp, always stay in the CENTER
of the ramp. Make sure the ramp is wide enough so that you
have no risk of going off the edge.
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.
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