Coping With Everyday Obstacles; A Note To Wheelchair Assistants - Invacare A4 Owner's Manual

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Proper positioning is essential for your safety. When reaching, leaning, bending forward, it is important to use the front

casters as a tool to maintain stability and balance.

•

Lengthening the wheelbase will increase the stability and maintain standard maneuverability of wheelchair.

•

Shortening the wheelbase will decrease the stability, increase the maneuverability and distribute additional weight onto

the rear wheels.

UNOCCUPIED

Coping with Everyday Obstacles

Coping with the irritation of everyday obstacles can be alleviated somewhat by learning how to manage your wheelchair.

Keep in mind your center of gravity to maintain stability and balance.

When assistance to the wheelchair user is required, remember to use good body mechanics. Keep your back straight and

bend your knees whenever tilting the wheelchair or traversing curbs, or other impediments.

DO NOT attempt to lift a wheelchair by lifting on any removable (detachable) parts. Lifting by

means of any removable (detachable) parts of a wheelchair may result in injury to the user or

damage to the wheelchair.

Also, be aware of any removable (detachable) parts. These MUST NEVER be used to move the wheelchair or as lifting

supports, as they may be inadvertently released, resulting in possible injury to the user and/or assistant(s).

When learning a new assistance technique, have an experienced assistant help you before attempting it alone.

Part No 1110545

CENTER OF

GRAVITY

OCCUPIED

FIGURE 2.1 Stability and Balance

WARNING

Lengthening the

Wheelbase

SECTION 2—SAFE HANDLING

Shortening the

Wheelbase

A4 Owner's Manual

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