Safety Instructions/Propelling Techniques; Stretching And Leaning; Propelling Down A Slope - Invacare REA Clematis User Manual

Safety instructions/propelling techniques

We recommend that you have the chair tested by the qualified person who has prescribed the wheelchair, after
he or she has made the adjustments that you request, taking your build and needs into account. We hope that you
havealso received help in learning how best to use the wheelchair. Start by practising carefully until you are familiar
with the wheelchair's possibilities and limitations.
Moving to and from the wheelchair

Stretching and leaning

Propelling up a slope

Propelling down a slope

®
CLEMATIS
Propel the wheelchair as near as possible to the seat that you
want to move to. Apply the brake. Remove the armrests or move
them upwards out of the way, and detach the legrests or swing
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may cause the chair to tip forwards.
Propel the wheelchair as near as possible. When stretching and
bending, do always have full contact between the backrest and the
back otherwise the wheelchair may tip over. Stretching behind the
backrest is not recommended.
Many experienced users manage to propel up a slope by them-
selves. In order not to lose control of the steering and to avoid
tipping backwards, you should always lean forwards whilst propel-
ling up a slope. Propel the wheelchair forwards using short, quick
strokes applied to the hand rims, in order to maintain speed and
steering control.
Generally, help is needed in the case of steep slopes.
If you have to stop on a slope, it is particularly important to ensure
that you do not make any sudden or unexpected forward move-
ments when you start moving the wheelchair forwards again. As
the wheelchair is already leaning backwards, such a movement
can cause the wheelchair to tip backwards.
We recommend that you get the help of one or more
Clematis®ants when going down steep and wet slopes.
First check the slope to see if there are any particular risks, such
as potholes, slippery sections, etc. Never use your brake to slow
down. When you apply the brake on a downward slope, the
wheels lock and the wheelchair can suddenly pull to one side, tip
sideways or stop immediately, which can cause you to be thrown
out of the chair. Always control the speed with the hand rims.
Remember that the hand rims may become hot due to friction,
and this may cause injury to your hands. Try to propel down the
slope in a straight line as much as possible. Never change direc-
tion when propelling down a slope. Never propel up or down a
slope crosswise.
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