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3.3
Starting to drive your wheelchair
FINDING THE CENTRE OF GRAVITY
Your ability to control and safely tip the wheelchair mainly depends on your seating position and the location of the centre of gravity with respect to the rear wheels.
The correct position of the rear wheels depends on different factors such as the occupant's weight, type of disability and the occupant's driving skills.
The manufacturer delivers the wheelchair and the position of the rear wheels (configuration) as requested in the order form.
Finding the point at which the chair will tip back safely requires the presence of an assistant who must stand behind the wheelchair ready
to prevent it from overbalancing.
To find the point at which the chair will tip back easily and, consequently, to find the safe manoeuvring range, proceed as described below.
Starting from your seated wheelchair position:
− firmly grasp the rear wheel rims
-- then move the hand rims slightly backwards and, while moving your weight backwards, push the hand rims forward with a jerk to make the front of the wheelchair rise
− at this point, by moving your body gently backwards and forwards, while moving the rear wheel backwards and forwards using the hand rims, you will be able to locate the centre of gravity and the
different points at which you can achieve controlled tipping and risk dangerous overbalance of the wheelchair.
If you hang a backpack, a bag or any other object on the push handlebars or any rear area of the wheelchair, the resulting uneven weight distribution can significantly
affect the risk of overbalancing.
TO PREVENT THE WHEELCHAIR FROM OVERBALANCING DURING NORMAL USE, WE RECOMMEND FITTING AN ANTITIPPING SYSTEM.
Basic Light
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