GENERAL GUIDELINES

SECTION 1

GENERAL GUIDELINES

 

 

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 wheelchair or traversing curbs, or other impediments.

Also, be aware of detachable parts such as arms or the footboard. 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.

LIFTING/STAIRWAYS

WARNING

DO NOT attempt to move an occupied power wheelchair between floors using a stairway. Use an elevator to move an occupied power wheelchair between floors. If moving a power wheelchair between floors by means of a stairway, the occupant MUST be removed and transported independently of the power wheelchair.

Extreme caution is advised when it is necessary to move an UNOCCUPIED power wheelchair up or down the stairs. Invacare recommends using two (2) assistants and making thorough preparations.

Make sure to use ONLY secure, nondetachable parts for hand-hold supports.

It is strongly recommended to lift the wheelchair only by the rear frame and the front forks - otherwise injury or damage may occur.

DO NOT attempt to lift the wheelchair by 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.

The weight of the wheelchair base with batteries and without the user is 318 lbs. Use proper lifting techniques (lift with your legs) to avoid injury.

Follow this procedure for moving the wheelchair between floors when an elevator is NOT available or lifting the wheelchair is necessary:

NOTE: When using a stairway to move the wheelchair, seat and any accessories, move all wheelchair components away from the stairway prior to reassembly.

1.Remove the occupant from the wheelchair.

2.Remove the front riggings and any accessories.

3.Bend your knees and keep your back straight.

4.Using the rear frame and the front edge of the front forks as hand hold supports, transfer the wheelchair base to desired location.

5.

Using non-removable (nondetachable)

Rear Frame

 

parts, transfer the seat and any accesso-

 

 

 

ries to desired location.

 

6.

Reassemble the wheelchair.

 

ESCALATORS? SORRY!

DO NOT use an escalator to move a

 

wheelchair between floors. Serious

Front Forks (Front Edge)

bodily injury may occur.

Power Tilt Only For M71 And M91.

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Part No.1118362 Rev A

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Image 14
Invacare M71 manual Lifting/Stairways, ESCALATORS? Sorry