Pride ATHENA Owner's Manual page 15

Transfers
Transferring onto and off of your power chair requires
a good sense of balance. Always have an attendant or
healthcare professional present while learning to
properly transfer yourself.
To eliminate the possibility of injury, Pride recom-
mends that you or a trained attendant perform the fol-
lowing tasks before attempting a transfer:
Turn off the power to the controller.
Ensure your power chair is not in freewheel mode.
See III. "Your Power Chair."
Turn the castor wheels toward the transfer
destination to improve power chair stability
during transfer.
Make sure both armrests are flipped up or
removed from your power chair.
Flip up the foot platform or move the leg rests
aside; this will help to keep your feet from getting
caught on the front riggings during the transfer.
Reduce the distance between your power chair
and the object you are transferring onto.
WARNING! Before transferring, position yourself as far back as possible in the power chair seat
to prevent the power chair from tipping forward during transfer.
WARNING! Avoid putting all of your weight on the power chair armrests and do not use the
armrests for weight bearing purposes, such as transfers. Such use may cause the power chair
to tip, resulting in a fall from the power chair.
WARNING! The controller and controller bracket are non-load bearing items on your power chair. Do
not use the controller or controller bracket for weight bearing purposes, such as transfers. Such use
may cause damage to these components, resulting in a fall from the power chair and personal injury.
WARNING! Avoid putting all of your weight on the front riggings. Such use may cause the power
chair to tip.
Preventing Unintended Movement
WARNING! If you anticipate being seated in a stationary position for an extended period of time, turn
off the power. This will prevent unexpected motion from inadvertent joystick contact. This will also
eliminate the possibility of unintended chair movement from electromagnetic (EM) sources.
Reaching and Bending
Never reach, lean or bend while driving your power chair. If it is absolutely necessary to reach, lean or bend while
seated on your power chair, it is important to maintain a stable centre of gravity and keep the power chair from
tipping. Pride recommends that the power chair user determine his/her personal limitations and practice bending
and reaching in the presence of a qualified healthcare professional.
WARNING! Do not bend, lean or reach for objects if you have to pick them up from the
floor by reaching down between your knees or if you have to reach over the back of the
seat. Movements such as these may change your centre of gravity and the weight
distribution of the power chair. This may cause your power chair to tip.
PROHIBITED! Keep your hands away from the tyres when driving. Be aware that loose
fitting clothing can become caught in drive tyres.
Athena
I I . S A F E T Y
Figure 4. Ideal Transfer Position
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