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8
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 maneu-
vering 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 de-
scribed in this manual. Invacare recognizes and encour-
ages each individual to try what works best for him/her in
overcoming architectural obstacles that they may encoun-
ter, 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 as-
sistant with “safety” as the most important consideration
for all.
Stability and Balance
WARNING
ALWAYS wear your seat positioning strap.
To assure stability and proper operation of your wheel-
chair, you must at all times maintain proper balance. Your
wheelchair has been designed to remain upright and
stable during normal daily activities as long as you do
not move beyond the center of gravity. DO NOT lean
forward out of the wheelchair any further than the length
of the armrests.
Coping With Everyday Obstacles
Coping with the irritation of everyday obstacles can be
alleviated somewhat by learning how to manage your
wheelchair. Keep in mind your center of gravity to main-
tain stability and balance.
A Note to Wheelchair Assistants
When assistance to the wheelchair user is required, re-
member to use good body mechanics. Keep your back
straight and bend your knees whenever tilting wheel-
chair or traversing curbs, or other impediments.
Also, be aware of detachable parts such as arms or leg-
rests. These must NEVER be used for hand-hold or lift-
ing supports, as they may be inadvertently released, re-
sulting in possible injury to the user and/or assistant(s).
When learning a new assistance technique, have an
experienced assistant help you before attempting it alone.
Stairways
WARNING
DO NOT attempt to move an occupied power
wheelchair between floors using a stairway. Use
an elevator to move an occupied power wheel-
chair between floors. If moving a power wheel-
chair between floors by means of a stairway, the
occupant MUST be removed and transported
independently of the power wheelchair.
Extreme caution is advised when it is necessary
to move an UNOCCUPIED power wheelchair up
or down the stairs. Invacare recommends using
two (2) assistants and making thorough prepara-
tions. Make sure to use ONLY secure, non-detach-
able parts for hand-hold supports.
DO NOT attempt to lift the wheelchair by any
removable (detachable) parts. Lifting by means
of any removable (detachable) parts of a wheel-
chair may result in injury to the user or damage
to the wheelchair.
Follow this procedure for moving the wheelchair be-
tween floors when an elevator is NOT available:
WARNING
The weight of the wheelchair without the user and
batteries is still between 140 and 168 lbs. Use proper
lifting techniques (lift with your legs) to avoid injury.
1. Remove the occupant from the wheelchair.
2. Remove the battery boxes from the wheelchair. Re-
fer to
INSTALLING/REMOVING BATTERY BOXES
in PROCEDURE 11 of this manual.
3. Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
4. Using non-removable (non-detachable) parts of the
wheelchair, lift the wheelchair off of the ground and
transfer the wheelchair up or down the stairs.
5. The wheelchair should not be lowered until the last
stair has been negotiated and the wheelchair has
been carried away from the stairway.
ESCALATORS? SORRY!
DO NOT use an escalator to move a wheelchair
between floors. Serious bodily injury may occur.
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GENERAL GUIDELINESPROCEDURE 1