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E. REACHING OR LEANING
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.
NOTE–
Leaning forward puts pressure on the footrests and may cause the chair
to tip if you lean too far.
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.
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 pre-
vent 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
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 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.
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C. WHEELIES
Doing a “wheelie” means: balancing on the rear wheels of your chair, while the front
casters are in the air. It is dangerous to do a "wheelie" as a fall or tip-over may occur.
However, if you do it safely, a “wheelie” can help you overcome curbs and obstacles.
1. Consult your doctor, nurse or therapist to find out if you are a good candidate to
learn to do a “wheelie.”
2. Do not attempt a “wheelie” UNLESS you are a skilled rider of this chair, or you
have help.
NOTE–
See p. 19 for steps to learn to do a “wheelie.”
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.
D. OBSTACLES
Obstacles and road hazards (such as potholes and broken pavement) can damage your
chair and may cause a fall, tip-over or loss of control.
To avoid these risks:
1. Keep a lookout for danger – scan the area well ahead of your chair as you ride.
2. Make sure the floor areas where you live and work are level and free of obstacles.
3. Remove or cover threshold strips between rooms.
4. Install a ramp at entry or exit doors. Make sure there is not a drop off at the
bottom of the ramp.
5. To Help Correct Your Center Of Balance:
a. Lean your upper body FORWARD slightly as you go UP over an obstacle.
b. Press your upper body BACKWARD as you go DOWN from a higher to a lower
level.
6. If your chair has anti-tip tubes, lock them in place before you go UP
over an obstacle.
7. Keep both of your hands on the handrims as you go over an obstacle.
8. Never push or pull on an object (such as furniture or a doorjamb) to propel
your chair.
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.
