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D. OBSTACLES
WARNING
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 wheelchair user or others.
E. REACHING OR LEANING
WARNING
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 prevent 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 wheelchair user or others.
Warnings: Falls & Tip-Overs
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