Invacare Pro Series manual SAFETY/HANDLING of Wheelchairs

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SAFETY/HANDLING

SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIRS

“Safety and Handling” of the wheelchair requires the close attention of the wheelchair user as well as the assistant. This manual points out the most common procedures and techniques involved in the safe operation and mainte- nance of the wheelchair. It is important to practice and master these safe techniques until you are comfortable in maneuvering around thefrequently encountered architec- tural barriers.

Use this information only as a “basic” guide. The tech- niques that are discussed on the following pages have been used successfully by many.

Individualwheelchairusersoftendevelopskillstodealwith daily living activities that may differ from those described in this manual. Invacare recognizes and encourages each individual to try what works best for him/her in overcom- ing architectural obstacles that they may encounter.Tech- niquesinthismanualareastartingpointforthenewwheel- chair user and assistant with “safety” as the most impor- tant consideration for all.

STABILITY AND BALANCE

WARNING

ALWAYS wear your seat positioning strap. Inasmuch as the SEAT POSITIONING STRAP is an option on this wheelchair (You may order with or without the seat positioning strap), Invacare strongly recommends or- dering the seat positioning strap as an additional safeguard for the wheelchair user.

To assure stability and proper operation of your wheel- chair, you must at all times wear your seat positioning strap and maintain proper balance. Your wheelchair has been designed to remain upright and stable during nor- mal daily activities as long as you do not move beyond the center of gravity.

DO NOT lean forward out of the wheelchair any further than the length of the armrests. Make sure the casters are pointing in the forward position whenever you lean forward. This can be achieved by advancing the wheel- chair and then reversing it in a straight line.

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 main- tain stability and balance.

A NOTE TO WHEELCHAIR

ASSISTANTS

When assistance to the wheelchair user is required, re- member to use good body mechanics. Keep your back straight and bend your knees whenever tilting the wheel- chair or traversing curbs, or other impediments.

WARNING

Do not attempt to lift a wheelchair by lift- ing on any removable (detachable) parts. Lifting by means of any removable (de- tachable) parts of a wheelchair may re- sult in injury to the user or damage to the wheelchair.

Also,beawareofanyremovable(detachable)parts.These must NEVER be used for hand-hold or 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 ex- perienced assistant help you before attempting it alone.

TILTING

WARNING

DO NOT tilt the wheelchair without assis- tance.

When tilting the wheelchair, an assistant should grasp the back of the wheelchair on a non-removable (non-detach- able) part. Inform the wheelchair occupant before tilting the wheelchair and remind him/her to lean back. Be sure the occupant’s feet and hands are clear of all wheels.

TILTING - CURBS

After mastering the techniques of tilting the wheelchair, use one of the following methods to tackle curbs, short stairs, etc.

S A F E T Y

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H A N D L I N G

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Contents Pro Pro-T Page Table of Contents Special Notes Special NotesSafety Summary Safety SummaryTire Pressure SAFETY/HANDLING of Wheelchairs Method StairwaysTransferring to and from Percentage of Weight DistributionOther Seats REACHING, LEANING, Bending and Bending Forward Functional Reach from a WheelchairREACHING, Bending Backwards Specifications SpecificationsSafety Inspection Check List Safety Inspection ChecklistTROUBLESHOOTING/MAINTENANCE TroubleshootingMaintenance Maintenance Safety PrecautionsProcedure Footrest INSTALLING/REMOVING Footrests FigureAdjusting Footrest Height Figure Installing Adjustable Angle FLIP-UP Footplate Hinge FigureFlip the footplate hinge to the UP position Footrest ProcedureInstalling Adjustable Angle Flip-up Footplate Adjustable Angle Flip-up Footplate Depth AdjustmentImpact GUARDS/CALF Strap Figure Replacing Heel Loops FigureComposite Footplates Release Lever Calfpad Adjust Calfpad Secure Calfpad INSTALLING/REMOVING Elevating Legrests FigureAdjustable Footplate Adjusting CalfpadsWashers Basketball Roller Tube Installing Basketball Roller FigureSaddle Bolts Footrest Coved Washers Basketball Roller LocknutsH O L S T E R Y Upholstery ProcedureReplacing Seat Upholstery Figure Back UpholsteryBack canes AdjustingAdjustable Tension Back Upholstery Installing Adjustable Tension Back Upholstery FigureUpholstery Replacing Adjustable Tension Back Upholstery FigureAdjustable Tension Straps H O L S TWHY USE Adjustable Tension Back Fabric Clothing Installing Fabric Clothing Guards FigureGuard FOLDING/UNFOLDING Back Folding Back Wheelchairs only Figure Adjusting Back Height FigureProcedure Frame M EBack Canes With Push Handles Adjusting Rear Seat Height FigureAdjusting Back Angle Folding Back Wheelchairs only Figure Frame ProcedureBack Angle to Seat Rail Reinstall the washer and locknut onto the bottom hex screw Installing Half ARM FigureAdjusting Half ARM Height Figure Arms ProcedureInstalling Installing the T-ARM Sockets FigureINSTALLING/REMOVING the T-ARMS Figure Procedure ArmsDepth Figure Adjusting the T-ARMSWidth Figure Height FigureArm Sockets Figure Reposition the arm tube on the T-arm postArm Clamp Arm Socket Bottom Socket Screws Replacing the Locking Lever T-ARMS FigureHeight Installing Flip Back Arms FigureAdjusting Flip Back Arms Figure LengthGuard Slot Installing Rigid Clothing Guards FigureThreaded Half Clamp S T E R S REPAIRING/REPLACING Pneumatic Caster TIRE/TUBEINSTALLING/REPLACING Front Caster Forks Figure Procedure CastersPro-SA Model Wheelchairs Figure Adjusting Front Caster HeadtubesALL Pro Series Wheelchairs Except Pro-SA Figure Adjusting Caster Headtube Height Pro-SA Wheelchairs OnlyRepositioning Caster Headtubes on Wheelchair Frame Figure Repeat Steps 1-8for the opposite side of the wheel- chairALL PRO Series Wheelchairs Except PRO-SA Casters ProcedureProcedure For Repositioning the Front Caster Headtubes PRO-SARepeat Steps 1-4for the opposite side of the wheel- chair Installing QUICK-RELEASE Casters FigureSpacer Caster Headtube Fork Stem Locknut Bolt Front Caster Adjusting QUICK-RELEASE Axles Figure REMOVING/INSTALLING Rear Wheels FigureRear Wheels Procedure And/or Out Installing QUAD-RELEASE Axles FigureAdjusting QUAD-RELEASE Handles Figure Procedure Rear WheelsRemoving the Play From the Rear Wheels REPAIRING/REPLACING Pneumatic Rear Wheel TIRE/ TubeAdjusting Wheelbase Length Figure Adjusting Wheelbase Width FigureWheelchair Three 3 Camber Frame Washers Adjusting Rear Wheel Camber FigureJam Nuts Axle Mounting Plate Axle Bushing Washer Coved Axle Washers Mounting Locknut Plate OneToe-out Toe-in Smaller Than Front Larger Than Front TOE-IN/TOE-OUT Alignment Figures 8Rear Wheelchair Centerline Conditions existsE E L S REPLACING/ADJUSTING the Wheel Lock FigureCorrecting TOE-IN/TOE-OUT Condition FigureInstalling the Anti-tippers Wheel Lock Extension Handle Installation FigureINSTALLING/ADJUSTING the ANTI-TIPPERS Figure Adjusting the High/Undermount Wheel LockWheelchair Frame Anti-tipper Adjusting the Anti-tipper HeightAdjust HeightPhillips Screw Handrim Installing/Replacing Handrims Spoke Rear Wheels FigureAdjusting Handrims Spoke Rear Wheels Figure HandrimsComposite Rim Locknut Phillips Screw Rear Wheel HandrimLink Seat to Floor Height Determination Figures 1 Seat to Floor ProcedurePositioning Caster Headtubes on the Wheelchair Frame Changing Seat to Floor HeightPositioning Front Caster on the Fork Rear Seat to Floor Heights Caster Headtube Front Seat to Floor Heights PRO-SA only Seat to FloorprocedurePage Warranty Limited WarrantyA N T Y One Invacare Way
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