Invacare ProntoTM M6 manual Coping With Everyday Obstacles, Stairways

GENERAL GUIDELINES PROCEDURE 1

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.

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 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 experienced assistant help you before attempt- ing it alone.

Stairways

WARNING

DO NOT attempt to move an occupied power wheelchair between floors using a stairway. Use an elevator to move an occu- pied 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.

Extremecautionisadvisedwhenitisnecessary to move an UNOCCUPIED power wheelchair up or down the stairs. Invacare recommends using two (2) assistants and making thorough preparations.Separatethefrontframeassem- bly of the wheelchair from the rear frame assembly of the wheelchair. Makesuretouse ONLY secure, non-detachable parts for hand- hold supports.

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.

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

WARNING

The weight of the wheelchair without the user and batteries is 153 lbs. Use proper lifting tech- niques (lift with your legs) to avoid injury.

1. Remove the occupant from the wheelchair.

2.Separate the front frame assembly of the wheel- chair from the rear frame assembly of the wheel- chair. Refer to TRANSPORTING THE WHEEL- CHAIR in PROCEDURE 10 of the manual.

3.Remove the battery boxes from the wheelchair. Refer to INSTALLING/REMOVING THE BAT- TERIES in PROCEDURE 9 of this manual.

4.Bend your knees and keep your back straight.

5.Using non-removable (non-detachable) parts of the wheelchair, lift the front frame assembly off of the ground and transfer it up or down the stairs.

6.The front frame assembly should not be low- ered until the last stair has been negotiated and the front frame assembly has been carried away from the stairway.

7.Repeat STEPS 4-6 for the rear frame assem- bly.

ESCALATORS? SORRY!

DO NOT use an escalator to move a wheelchair betweenfloors.Seriousbodilyinjurymayoccur.

Transferring to and From Other Seats

WARNING

ALWAYS turn the wheelchair power OFF and engage the motor locks to prevent the wheels from moving BEFORE attempting to transferinoroutofthewheelchair.Also,make sure every precaution is taken to reduce the gap distance by aligning both the front AND rear casters parallel with the object you are transferring onto.

CAUTION

Whentransferring,positionyourselfasfarback as possible in the seat. This will prevent bro- ken screws, damaged upholstery and the possibility of the wheelchair tipping forward.

NOTE: This activity may be performed independently provided you have adequate mobility and upper body strength.

1.Position the wheelchair as close as possible along side the seat to which you are transfer- ring, with the rear casters pointing away from it.

G E N E R A L

G U I D E L I N E S

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