I I . S A F E T Y
Transfers
Transferring onto and off of your power chair requires a good sense of balance. Always have an attendant or health- care professional present while learning to properly trans- fer yourself.
To eliminate the possibility of injury, Pride recommends that you or a trained attendant perform the following tasks be- fore attempting a transfer:
!Turn off the power to the controller. See VII. “Operation.”
! Ensure your power chair is not in freewheel mode. See III. “Your Power Chair.”
! Turn the front caster wheels toward the transfer desti- nation 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 foot rigging during the transfer.
! Reduce the distance between your power chair and the object you are transferring onto.
Figure 4. Ideal Transfer Position
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 and causing injury.
WARNING! Avoid using your armrests for weight bearing purposes. Such use may cause the power chair to tip and cause personal injury.
WARNING! Avoid putting all of your weight on the foot riggings. Such use may cause the power chair to tip and cause personal injury.
Doors
!Determine if the door opens toward or away from you.
!Drive your power chair gently and slowly forward to push the door open. Or drive your power chair gently and slowly backwards to pull the door open.
Elevators
Modern elevators have a door edge safety mechanism that, when pushed, reopens the elevator door(s).
!If you are in the doorway of an elevator when the door(s) begin to close, push on the rubber door edge or allow the rubber door edge to contact the power chair and the door will reopen.
!Use care that pocketbooks, packages, or power chair accessories do not become caught in elevator doors.
Lift/Elevation Products
If you will be traveling with your power chair, you may find it necessary to use a lift/elevation product to aid in transporta- tion. Pride recommends that you closely review the instructions, specifications, and safety information set forth by the manufacturer of the lift/elevation product before using that product.
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