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GENERAL GUIDELINES PROCEDURE 1
Example: 46% 54% 103 lbs. 130 lbs.
UNOCCUPIED OCCUPIED
Center of Gravity
Proper positioning is essential for your safety. When reach-
ing, leaning, bending forward, it is important to use the
front casters as a tool to maintain stability and balance.
LENGTHENING THE WHEELBASE will increase the sta-
bility and maintain standard maneuverability of wheelchair.
SHORTENING THE WHEELBASE will increase the
maneuverability, distribute additional weight onto the rear
wheels, and decrease the stability of the wheelchair.
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 the wheel-
chair or traversing curbs, or other impediments.
WARNING
Do not attempt to lift a wheelchair by lifting on
any removable (detachable) parts. Lifting by
means of any removable (detachable) parts of
a wheelchair may result in injury to the user or
damage to the wheelchair.
Also, be aware of any removable (detachable) parts.
These must NEVER be used for hand-hold or lifting sup-
ports, as they may be inadvertently released, resulting 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.
Stability and Balance
WARNING
ALWAYS wear your seat positioning strap. Inas-
much as the SEAT POSITIONING STRAP is an op-
tion on this wheelchair (You may order with or
without the seat positioning strap), Invacare
strongly recommends ordering the seat position-
ing strap as an additional safeguard for the
wheelchair user.
Anti-tippers MUST BE attached at all times.
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.
Virtually all activities which involve movement in the wheel-
chair have an effect on the center of gravity. Invacare
recommends using seat positioning straps for additional
safety while involved in activities that shift your weight.
DO NOT lean forward out of the wheelchair any further
than stability will allow. Make sure casters are pointing in
the forward position whenever you lean forward. This
can be achieved by advancing the wheelchair and then
reversing it in a straight line.
LENGTHENING
SHORTENING
Telescoping
Tube
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.
The position of the footrest, camber tube, back
angle, the tautness of the back upholstery as well
as the user's condition are directly related to the
wheelchairs stability. Any change to one (1) or
any combination of the five (5) may cause the
wheelchair to decrease in stability. Use EXTREME
caution when using a new seating position.
Many activities require the wheelchair owner to reach, bend
and transfer in and out of the wheelchair. These move-
ments will cause a change to the normal balance, the
center of gravity, and the weight distribution of the wheel-
chair. To determine and establish your particular safety
limits, practice bending, reaching and transferring activi-
ties in several combinations in the presence of a qualified
health-care professional BEFORE attempting active use
of wheelchair.