Invacare MYONHC Owners Manual - Page 35

Coping with Everyday Obstacles, A Note to Wheelchair Assistants, Tipping

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6.4 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. 6.5 A Note to Wheelchair Assistants 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. WARNING! - 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. 6.6 Tipping WARNING! - DO NOT tip the wheelchair without assistance. - When lowering the front casters of the wheelchair, DO NOT let the wheelchair drop the last few inches to the ground. This could result in injury to the occupant. 1587473-A Using the wheelchair After mastering the techniques of tipping the wheelchair, use one of the following methods to tackle curbs, short stairs, etc. 6.6.1 Method 1 - Wheelchair With Step Tubes Place foot on the step tube and begin to tilt the wheelchair toward you. Apply a continuous downward motion until the balance point is achieved and the front casters clear the curb. At this point, the assistant will feel a difference in the weight distribution. Roll the wheelchair forward and slowly lower the front of the wheelchair in one continuous movement onto the sidewalk. Push the wheelchair forward until the rear wheels roll up and over the curb. 6.6.2 Method 2 - Wheelchair Without Step Tubes This method requires two assistants. The second assistant should be positioned at the front of the wheelchair lifting upward on a non-removable (non-detachable) part of the wheelchair frame when lifting the wheelchair and stabilizing the wheelchair when the wheelchair is being lowered to the ground. The first assistant should stand on the sidewalk and turn the wheelchair so that the rear wheels are against the curb. Turn the anti-tippers so the anti-tip wheels are pointing up. The wheelchair 35

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Using the wheelchair
6.4
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.
6.5
A Note to Wheelchair Assistants
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.
WARNING!
–
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.
6.6
Tipping
WARNING!
–
DO NOT tip the wheelchair without assistance.
–
When lowering the front casters of the wheelchair,
DO NOT let the wheelchair drop the last few inches
to the ground. This could result in injury to the
occupant.
After mastering the techniques of tipping the wheelchair, use one of
the following methods to tackle curbs, short stairs, etc.
6.6.1
Method 1 — Wheelchair With Step Tubes
Place foot on the step tube and begin to tilt the wheelchair toward
you. Apply a continuous downward motion until the balance point
is achieved and the front casters clear the curb. At this point, the
assistant will feel a difference in the weight distribution.
Roll the wheelchair forward and slowly lower the front of the
wheelchair in one continuous movement onto the sidewalk. Push the
wheelchair forward until the rear wheels roll up and over the curb.
6.6.2
Method 2 — Wheelchair Without Step Tubes
This method requires two assistants. The second assistant should
be positioned at the front of the wheelchair lifting upward on
a non-removable (non-detachable) part of the wheelchair frame
when lifting the wheelchair and stabilizing the wheelchair when the
wheelchair is being lowered to the ground.
The first assistant should stand on the sidewalk and turn the
wheelchair so that the rear wheels are against the curb. Turn the
anti-tippers so the anti-tip wheels are pointing up. The wheelchair
1587473-A
35