Sunrise Medical 8HM User Manual page 20

8/9HM 8/9TM__________________________________________________________________
Body weight proportions
Upper torso weight and height, lower limb amputation, obesity, asymmetrical body positions
(leaning to one side) and muscle spasms may affect stability.
Operating environment
Hills, slopes, ramps, sloping pavements, dropped kerbs also affect stability, especially if contact
is made with small obstacles on slopes or hitting obstacles. Sloping surfaces should never be
attempted sideways. These can cause the user to slide forwards or fall forwards out of the
wheelchair.
Accessories or other equipment
Accessories generally affect the stability of the wheelchair. Seat cushions raise the centre of
gravity and reduce the stability of the wheelchair in all directions, backrest cushions will move the
centre of gravity forwards, which improves the rearwards stability but reduces forward stability.
Elevating leg rests fitted onto the front of the wheelchair will reduce the forward stability of the
wheelchair.
Anti tip levers
These can be fitted to the rear of the wheelchair to restrict the amount of rearwards tipping that
can occur.
Wheel position
The wheels of both the self-propelling wheelchair and the attendant push wheelchair can be
adjusted to a rearwards position to improve rearwards stability. This may affect the self-propelling
ability because the wheels have been moved further from the arms and shoulders.
Foot propelling
The recommended methods for propelling a wheelchair are: -
Self Propelling wheelchair
Place feet on footplates and use the hand rims on the wheels to move the wheelchair.
•
Attendant push/transit wheelchairs
Place feet on footplates and allow user or attendant to push the wheelchair.
•
Propelling the wheelchair by using the feet is not recommended as your feet may
encounter obstacles on the ground and the back of your legs may contact the cross
braces underneath the seat. This may also affect the stability of the wheelchair.
If you or your carer/attendant require further advice about stability and its effects
then ask your healthcare professional, wheelchair dealer, or wheelchair service for further
information.
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8/9HM 8/9TM User Manual Page 20