Starting To Drive Your Wheelchair; Dealing With Obstacles: Stairs And Steps - progeo Basic Light User Manual

Starting to drive your wheelchair

3.3
FINDING THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY
Your ability to control and safely tip the wheelchair depends mainly on your seating position and
the location of the centre of gravity in respect to the rear wheels.
The correct position of the rear wheels depends on different factors such as the user's weight,
type of handicap and the user driving skills.
The manufacturer delivers the wheelchair and the position of the rear wheels (setting) according
to what requested in the order form.
Finding the point at which the chair will safely tip back requires the presence
of an attendant who must be standing behind the wheelchair ready to prevent
it from overbalancing.
In order to find the point at which the chair will tip back easily and consequently to find the
range within which it is safe to manoeuvre it, proceed in the following manner:
You are sitting in your wheelchair.
Hold the hand rims on the rear wheels firmly.
Then, move the hand rims slightly backwards and while
moving your weight backwards, push the hand rims
forward with a jerk and the front of the chair will raise.
At this point, by moving your body gently backwards and
forwards while moving the rear wheel backwards and
forwards using the hand rims, it will be possible to find
the centre of gravity and the point at which the chair will
safely be controlled.
.
IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE WHEELCHAIR FROM OVERBALANCING
DURING NORMAL USE WE RECOMMEND MOUNTING AN ANTI TIP
SYSTEM.

Dealing with obstacles: stairs and steps

3.4
While getting over obstacles such as stairs and steps, approach the obstacle at a
moderate speed
Never attempt to go over steps or other obstacles that are over 20cm (6
inches) height.
If particularly difficult obstacles are encountered an attendant should always
be present at the back of the wheelchair in order to ensure complete safety.
Before attempting to go over a step or over any kind of general obstacle alone
(without the presence of an attendant), you will need to have control over your
wheelchair and know how to tip it while maintaining your balance over the rear
wheels.
GOING DOWN A STEP ON YOUR OWN
Bring the wheelchair right up to the leading edge of the obstacle.
Raise the front wheels by tilting the wheelchair while maintaining
balance.
Move the rear wheels carefully down to the obstacle; during this
phase hold the handrails to control the descent.
Once the rear wheels have descended the obstacle, tilt the wheelchair
forward until the front wheels touch the ground again.
GOING UP A STEP ALONE
Bring the wheelchair right up to the leading edge of the obstacle.
Raise the front wheels and tip the chair back while maintaining
balance
Using the hand rims, carefully move the rear wheels forwards until
they touch the edge of the step.
Tip the wheelchair forward until the front wheels are on top of the
obstacle.
Lean forward in the chair so that the rear of the chair is lighter.
Hold the hand rims tightly and move the rear wheels forwards bringing
them over the top of the obstacle.
Basic Light 17