User / Attendant Stability Warnings - Quickie SR 45 Instructions For Use Manual

User / Attendant Stability Warnings.....

WARnInG!
Reaching Or Leaning
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.
• NEVER reach or lean if you must shift your weight
sideways or rise up off the seat.
• NEVER reach or lean if you must move forward in
your seat to do so. Always keep your buttocks in
contact with the backrest.
• NEVER reach with both hands (you may not be able
to catch yourself to prevent a fall if the chair tips).
• NEVER reach or lean to the rear unless your chair
has anti-tip tubes locked in place.
• 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.
If You Must Reach Or Lean:
• Do not lock the rear wheels. This creates a tip point
and makes a fall or tip-over more likely.
• Do not put pressure on the footrests.
• Leaning forward puts pressure on the footrests and
may cause the chair to tip if you lean too far.
• Move your chair as close as you can to the object
you wish to reach.
• 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.
• 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.
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 rider or others.
WARnInG!
Moving backward
Use extra care when you move your chair backward.
Your chair is most stable when you propel yourself
forward.
• You may lose control or tip over if one of the rear
wheels hits an object and stops rolling.
• Propel your chair slowly and smoothly.
• If your chair has anti-tip tubes, make sure to lock
them in place.
• Stop often and check to be sure your path is clear.
14
WARnInG!
Climbing/Traversing Ramps and Slopes
Riding or traversing a slope, which includes a ramp, 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.
• Do not use your chair on a slope steeper than 10%.
(A 10% slope means: one meter in elevation for every
ten meters of slope length).
• Always go as straight up and as straight down as you
can. (Do not "cut the corner" on a slope or ramp).
• Do not turn or change direction on a slope.
• 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.
• Do not stop on a steep slope. If you stop, you may
lose control of your chair.
• 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.
Take extra care:
• Wet or slippery surfaces.
• A change in grade on a slope (or a lip, bump or
depression). These may cause a fall or tip-over.
• A drop-off at the bottom of a slope. A drop-off of as
small as 3/4 inch can stop a front caster and cause
the chair to tip forward.
To Reduce The Risk Of A fall Or Tip-Over:
• Lean or press your body forwards when going
UPHILL and backwards when going DOWNHILL. This
will help adjust for the change in the center of balance
caused by the slope.
• Keep pressure on the handrims to control your speed
on a down slope. If you go too fast you may lose
control.
• Ask for help any time you are in doubt.
• Ramps At Home & Work - For your safety, ramps at
home and work must meet all legal requirements for
your area.
We recommend:
• Width: At least four feet wide.
• Guardrails: To reduce the risk of a fall, sides of ramp
must have guardrails (or raised borders at least three
inches high).
• Slope: Not more than a 10% grade.
• Surface: Flat and even, with a thin carpet or other non-
skid material. (Make sure there is no lip, bump or
depression.)
• Bracing: Ramps must be STURDY. You may need
bracing so ramps do not "bow" when you ride on
them.
• Avoid A Drop Off: You may need a section at the top
or bottom to smooth out the transition.
SR45 Rev.1.0