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9
GENERAL GUIDELINES PROCEDURE 1
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Percentage of Weight Distribution
WARNING
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.
Many activities require the wheelchair user to reach,
bend and transfer in and out of the wheelchair.
These movements will cause a change to 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 profes-
sional BEFORE attempting active use of the wheel-
chair.
Proper positioning is essential for your safety. When
reaching, leaning, bending or bending forward, it
is important to use the rear casters as a tool to main-
tain stability and balance.
Transferring to and From Other Seats
WARNING
ALWAYS turn the wheelchair power OFF and en-
gage the motor locks/clutches to prevent the
wheels from moving BEFORE attempting to trans-
fer in or out of the wheelchair. Also, make sure
every precaution is taken to reduce the gap dis-
tance aligning both rear casters parallel with the
object you are transferring onto.
CAUTION
When transferring, position yourself as far back as
possible in the seat. This will prevent broken screws,
damaged upholstery and the possibility of the
wheelchair tipping forward.
NOTE: This activity may be performed independently
provided you have adequate mobility and upper body
strength.
1. Position the wheelchair as close as possible along
side the seat to which you are transferring, with the
rear casters pointing away from it.
2. Engage motor locks/clutches. Refer to one (1) of the
following.
A. WHEELCHAIRS WITH MOTORS THAT HAVE
CLUTCHES -
ENGAGING/DISENGAGING
MOTORS WITH CLUTCHES in PROCEDURE
8 of this manual.
B. WHEELCHAIRS WITH MOTORS THAT HAVE
MOTOR LOCKS -
ENGAGING/DISENGAG-
ING MOTORS WITH MOTOR LOCKS in PRO-
CEDURE 8 of this manual.
3. Shift body weight into seat with transfer.
During independent transfer, little or no seat platform will
be beneath you. Use a transfer board if at all possible.
Functional Reach From a Wheelchair
The approximate reach-limit values shown in the accom-
panying graphs were derived on the basis of a sample of
91 male and 36 female wheelchair users. Note the differ-
ence between the maximum and the comfortable reach
limits, a subjective but important consideration in design.
Reaching, Leaning, Bending and Bending -
Forward
Position the rear casters so that they are extended
as far rearward as possible and engage motor locks/
clutches. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO REACH OBJECTS
IF YOU HAVE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE SEAT
OR PICK THEM UP FROM THE FLOOR BY REACH-
ING DOWN BETWEEN YOUR KNEES.
MINIMIZE GAP
DISTANCE