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Invacare 1143206 Mobility Aid User Manual

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SECTION 4—SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIRS

Pronto® M41 with SureStep® 18 Part No. 1143206

SECTION 4—SAFETY/HANDLING OF

WHEELCHAIRS

“SafetyandHandling”ofthewheelchairrequiresthecloseattentionofthewheelchair

useraswellastheassistant.Thismanualpointsoutthemostcommonproceduresand

techniquesinvolvedinthesafeoperationandmaintenanceofthewheelchair.Itis

importanttopracticeandmasterthesesafetechniquesuntilyouarecomfortablein

maneuveringaroundthefrequentlyencounteredarchitecturalbarriers.

Usethisinformationonlyasa“basic”guide.Thetechniquesthatarediscussedonthe

followingpageshavebeenusedsuccessfullybymany.

Individualwheelchairusersoftendevelopskillstodealwithdailylivingactivitiesthat

maydifferfromthosedescribedinthismanual.Invacarerecognizesandencourageseach

individualtotrywhatworksbestforhim/herinovercomingarchitecturalobstaclesthat

theymayencounter,howeverallwarningsandcautionsgiveninthismanualMUSTbe

followed.Techniquesinthismanualareastartingpointforthenewwheelchairuserand

assistantwith“safety”asthemostimportantconsiderationforall.

Stability and Balance

ƽ WARNING

ALWAYS wear your seat positioning strap. The seat positioning strap is a

positioning belt only. It is not designed for use as a safety device withstanding high

stress loads such as auto or aircraft safety belts. If signs of wear appear, belt MUST

be replaced immediately.

DO NOT attempt to reach objects if you have to move forward in the seat or pick

them up from the floor by reaching down between your knees.

Proper positioning is essential for your safety. When reaching, leaning, bending or

bending forward, it is important to use the casters as a tool to maintain stability and

balance.

Many activities require the wheelchair user to reach, bend and transfer in and out of

the wheelchair. These movements will cause a change to the normal balance,

center of gravity, and weight distribution of the wheelchair. To determine and

establish your particular safety limits, practice bending, reaching and transferring

activities in several combinations in the presence of a qualified healthcare

professional before attempting active use of the wheelchair.

Be aware that carrying heavy objects on your lap while occupying the wheelchair

may adversely affect the stability of the wheelchair, resulting in serious bodily injury

to the user, damage to the wheelchair and surrounding property.

This wheelchair has been designed to accommodate one individual. If more than

one individual occupies the wheelchair this may adversely affect the stability of the

wheelchair, resulting in serious bodily injury to the user and passenger and damage

to the wheelchair and surrounding property.

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