General Safety Notes And Driving Limits - Quickie Helium Directions For Use Manual

1.0 General safety notes and driving limits

The engineering and construction of this wheelchair has
been designed to provide maximum safety. International
safety standards currently in force have either been
fulfilled or exceeded in parts. Nevertheless, users may
put themselves at risk by improperly using their
wheelchairs. For your own safety, the following rules
must be strictly observed.
Unprofessional or erroneous changes or adjustments
increase the risk of accident. As a wheelchair user, you
are also part of the daily traffic on streets and pavements,
just like anyone else. We would like to remind you that
you are therefore also subject to any and all traffic laws.
Be careful during your first ride in this wheelchair. Get to
know your wheelchair.
Before each use, the following should be checked:
• Quick-release axles on the rear wheels
• Velcro on seats and backrests
• Tyres, tyre pressure and wheel locks.
Before changing any of the adjustments of this
wheelchair, it is important to read the corresponding
section of the user's manual.
It is possible that potholes or uneven ground could cause
this wheelchair to tip over, especially when riding uphill or
downhill. When riding over a step or up an incline
frontally, the body should be leaning forward.
DANGER!
• NEVER exceed the maximum load of 125 kg for
driver plus any items carried on the wheelchair. If you
exceed the maximum load, this can lead to damage
to the chair, or you may fall or tip over, lose control
and may lead to serious injury of the user and other
people.
• When it is dark, please wear light clothing or clothing
with reflectors, so that you can be seen more easily.
Make sure that the reflectors on the side and back of
the wheelchair are clearly visible. We would also
recommend that you fit an active light..
8
• To avoid falls and dangerous situations, you should
first practice using your new wheelchair on level
ground with good visibility.
• When getting on or off the wheelchair, do not use the
footboards. These should be flipped up beforehand
and swung to the outside as far as possible. Always
position yourself as close as possible to the place
where you wish to sit.
• Only use your wheelchair properly. For example,
avoid travelling against an obstacle without braking
(step, kerb edge) or dropping down gaps.
• The wheel locks are not intended to brake your
wheelchair. They are only there to ensure that your
wheelchair does not begin rolling unintentionally.
When you stop on uneven ground, you should always
use the wheel locks to prevent such rolling. Always
apply both wheel locks; otherwise, your wheelchair
could tip over.
• Explore the effects of changing the centre of gravity
on the behaviour of the wheelchair, for example on
inclines, slopes, all gradients or when overcoming
obstacles. Do this with the secure aid of a helper.
• With extreme settings (e.g. rear wheels in the most
forward position) and less than perfect posture, the
wheelchair may tip over even on a level surface.
• Lean your upper body further forward when going up
slopes and steps.
• Lean your upper body further back when going down
slopes and steps. Never try to climb and descend a
slope diagonally.
• Avoid using an escalator which may lead to serious
injury in the event of a fall.
• Do not use the wheelchair on slopes > 10°. The
Dynamic safe slope is dependant on the chair
configuration, the users abilities and the style of
riding. As the users abilities and style of riding cannot
be pre-determined then the max safe slope cannot
be determined. Therefore this must be determined by
the user with the assistance of an attendant to
prevent tipping. It is strongly recommended that
inexperienced users have Ant-tips fitted.
• It is possible that potholes or uneven ground could
cause this wheelchair to tip over, especially when
riding uphill or downhill.
• Do not use your wheelchair on muddy or icy ground.
Do not use your wheelchair where pedestrians are
not allowed.
• To avoid hand injuries do not grab in between the
spokes or between the rear wheel and wheel lock
when driving the wheelchair.
• In particular when using lightweight metal handrims,
fingers will easily become hot when braking from a
high speed or on long inclines.
• Only attempt stairs with the help of an attendant.
There is equipment available to help you, e.g.
climbing ramps or lifts, please use them. If there is no
such equipment available, then the wheelchair must
be tipped and pushed, never carried, over the steps
(2 helpers). We recommend that users over 100 kg in
weight do not use this stairway manoeuvre!
• In general, any anti-tip tubes fitted must be set beforehand,
so that they cannot touch the steps, as otherwise this could
lead to a serious tumble. Afterwards the anti-tip tubes must
be set back to their correct position.
• Make sure that the attendant only holds the wheelchair
using securely mounted parts (e.g. not on the footrests or
the sideguards).
Helium Rev.4.0