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F. MOVING BACKWARD
Use extra care when you move your chair backward. Your chair is most sta-
ble when you propel yourself forward. You may lose control or tip over if
one of the rear wheels hits an object and stops rolling.
1. Propel your chair slowly and smoothly.
2. If your chair has anti-tip tubes, make sure to lock them in place.
3. Stop often and check to be sure your path is clear.
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 rider or others.
G. RAMPS, SLOPES & SIDEHILLS
Riding on a slope, which includes a ramp or sidehill, will change the center
of balance of your chair. Your chair is less stable when it is at an angle. Anti-
tip tubes may not prevent a fall or tip-over.
1. Do not use your chair on a slope steeper than 10%. (A 10% slope
means: one foot in elevation for every ten feet of slope length.)
2.
Always go as straight up and as straight down as you can. (Do not
"cut the corner" on a slope or ramp.)
3. Do not turn or change direction on a slope.
4. Always stay in the CENTER of the ramp. Make sure ramp is wide
enough that you are not at risk that a wheel may fall over the edge.
5. Do not stop on a steep slope. If you stop, you may lose control of
your chair.
6. NEVER use rear wheel locks to try to slow or stop your chair. This is
likely to cause your chair to veer out of control.
7. Beware Of:
a. Wet or slippery surfaces.
b. A change in grade on a slope (or a lip, bump or depression).
These may cause a fall or tip-over.
c. A drop-off at the bottom of a slope. A drop-off as small as 3/4
inch can stop a front caster and cause the chair to tip forward.
8. To Reduce The Risk Of A Fall Or Tip-Over:
a. Lean or press your body UPHILL. This will help adjust for the
change in the center of balance caused by the slope or sidehill.
b. Keep pressure on the handrims to control your speed on a
down slope. If you go too fast you may lose control.
c. Ask for help any time you are in doubt.
9. Ramps At Home & Work– For your safety, ramps at home and work
must meet all legal requirements for your area. We recommend:
a. Width. At least four feet wide.
b. Guardrails. To reduce the risk of a fall, sides of ramp must have
guardrails (or raised borders at least three inches high).
c. Slope. Not more than a 10% grade.
d. Surface. Flat and even, with a thin carpet or other non-skid
material. (Make sure there is no lip, bump or depression.)
e. Bracing. Ramp must be STURDY. You may need bracing so ramp
does not "bow" when you ride on it.
f.
Avoid A Drop Off. You may need a section at the top or bottom
to smooth out the transition.
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 rider or others.
H. TRANSFER
It is dangerous to transfer on your own. It requires good balance and agility.
Be aware that there is a point during every transfer when the wheelchair
seat is not below you. To avoid a fall:
1. Work with your health care advisor to learn safe methods.
a. Learn how to position your body and how to support yourself
during a transfer.
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b. Have someone help you until you know how to do a safe transfer
on your own.
2. Lock the rear wheels before you transfer. This keeps the rear wheels
from rolling.
NOTE– This will NOT keep your chair from sliding away from you
or tipping.
3. Make sure to keep pneumatic tires properly inflated. Low tire pres-
sure may allow the rear wheel locks to slip.
4. Move your chair as close as you can to the seat you are transferring
to.
If possible, use a transfer board.
5. Rotate the front casters until they are as far forward as possible.
6. If you can, remove or swing footrests out of the way.
a. Make sure your feet do not catch in the space between the
footrests.
b. Avoid putting weight on the footrests as this may cause the chair
to tip.
7. Make sure armrests are out of the way and do not interfere.
8. Transfer as far back onto the seat surface as you can. This will reduce
the risk that the chair will tip or move away from you.
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 rider or others.
I. CURBS & STEPS
1. Each person who helps you should read and follow the warnings
"For Safe Use" (Section VII).
2. Do not try to climb or descend a curb or step alone UNLESS you
are a skilled rider of this chair and:
a. You can safely do a "wheelie"; and
b. You are sure you have the strength and balance to do so.
3. Unlock and rotate anti-tip tubes up, out of the way, so they do not
interfere.
4. Do not try to climb a high curb or step (more than 4 inches high)
UNLESS you have help. Doing so may cause your chair to exceed its
balance point and tip over.
5. Go straight up and straight down a curb or step. If you climb or
descend at an angle, a fall or tip-over is likely.
6. Be aware that the impact of dropping down from a curb or step can
damage your chair or loosen fasteners.
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 rider or others.
J. STAIRS
1. NEVER use this chair on stairs UNLESS you have someone to help
you. Doing so is likely to cause a fall or tip-over.
2. Persons who help you should read and follow the warnings "For
Attendants" (Section V., Part K) and "For Safe Use" (Section VII).
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 rider or others.
K. ESCALATORS
NEVER use this chair on an escalator, even with an attendant. If you do, a
fall or tip-over is likely.
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 rider or others.
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