8.If the wheelchair seating surface has neither hook or loop attachment strips, remove the double sided hook from the bottom of the cover.
9.Align the front edge of the cushion with the front edge of the seating surface.
10.Place the cushion on the wheelchair seating surface.
WARNING
Make sure the hook and loop fasteners are se- curely attached to the seating surface and the cushion before using. If the cushion is not secured to the wheelchair seating surface, exercise cau- tionwhentransferringinandoutofthewheelchair.
USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERSONAL SEAT
Installation of the Cover
The cover is properly installed when the zipper is at the back of the cushion. The back of the cushion is where the fluid pad is located. In addition, the back surface of the cushion is marked, “BACK”.
Installation of the Fluid Pad
The pad can be easily and properly installed in the recess by matching the loop strips on the bottom of the pad with the hook strips in the cushion recess. The pad is designed to be larger than the recess so it will be necessary to position the pad with accordian folds so that the entire pad will be located inside the recess.
Checking Fluid Levels:
NOTE: Regular monitoring means "daily" monitoring for high risk users, "weekly" for medium risk users and "bi- weekly" for low risk users.
Regularly monitor to determine if there is sufficient fluid to properly "float" bony prominences, trial fit the cushion for fifteen (15) minutes. Then, examine the fluid pad for areas of incomplete coverage, as well as examining the user's skin for red pressure markings. Any area from which the fluid has migrated, leaving less than 1/8 inch (3mm) cover- age, may require additional fluid.
NOTE: Keep in mind that areas where there is no fluid have 3/4 inch (19mm) of soft foam underpad to help keep the bony prominence from bottoming out.
Temperature Considerations:
WARNING
Storage of the cushion in areas of extreme cold or extreme heat can cause the fluid to reach a temperature which could damage the skin of the user.
If the cushion has been stored below 41°F (5°C) or above 90°F (32°C), the cushion fluid pad should be allowed to reach normal room temperature before use. The remov- able fluid pad can be immersed in warm or cold water to speedthetemperaturechange.(Watertemperatureshould not exceed 50°F (122°C).
Temperatures in a closed automobile can exceed 201°F (94°C) when parked in direct sunlight. If your cushion is exposed to increased temperatures, check the fluid pad temperature before actual use and verify that the fluid in the pad remains uniform. Refer to INSPECTION AND CLEANING in this instruction sheet.
Maintaining the Cover
The Personal Seat cover is fabricated with water repel- lant materials. The top and sides are fabricated with a patented waterproof stretch fabric. The bottom is fabri- cated from a special waterproof heavyweight fabric. In the event of incontinence, some leakage may occur at the seam stitching or at the zipper, so the water repellant coating should be cleaned. The cover should be machine washed in warm water and let hang dry. Refer toINSPEC- TION AND CLEANING in this instruction sheet.
Inspection and Cleaning
1.In order to ensure that the cushion is working as de- signed, inspection and cleaning of the cushion on a regular basis is necessary.
WARNING
DO NOT continue to use this product if any of the following problems as described are discovered. Corrective maintenance can be performed at or arranged through your equipment supplier.
2.Visually inspect all parts weekly, including hardware, upholstery materials, foams (if accessible), and plas- tics for deformation, corrosion, breakage, wear and/ or compression.
3.Fluid Pad Inspection:
NOTE: Fluid bag contents are
As part of the regular inspection of the cushion the fluid pad should be taken out of the recess in the cush- ion and inspected also. If the cushion is exposed to temperatures of 54°C (129°F) or greater, this inspec- tion should be performed immediately. The fluid in the pad should be uniformly white in color and homoge- neous. If the fluid has areas that are translucent, it has probably separated into its components and needs to be remixed. Remixing is accomplished by kneading the pad until the fluid is uniformly white in color. Rein- stall the pad in the recess according to INSTALLA- TION OF THE FLUID PAD in this instruction sheet.
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