I I . S A F E T Y
GENERAL GUIDELINES
MANDATORY! Do not operate your new power chair for the first time without completely reading and understanding this owner’s manual.
Your power chair is a
The contents of this manual are based on the expectation that a mobility device expert has properly fitted the power chair to the user and has assisted the prescribing healthcare professional and/or the Quantum Rehab Pro- vider in the instruction process for the use of the product.
There are certain situations, including some medical conditions, where the power chair user will need to practice operating the power chair in the presence of a trained attendant. A trained attendant can be defined as a family member or care professional specially trained in assisting a power chair user in various daily living activities.
As you begin using your power chair during daily activities, you will probably encounter situations in which you will need some practice. Simply take your time and you will soon be in full and confident control as you maneuver through doorways, on and off of elevators, up and down ramps, and over moderate terrain.
Below are some precautions, tips, and other safety considerations that will help you become accustomed to oper- ating your power chair safely.
Modifications
Pride has designed and engineered your power chair to provide maximum mobility and utility. A wide range of accessories is available from your Quantum Rehab Provider to further customize your power chair to better suit your needs and/or preferences. However, under no circumstances should you modify, add, remove, or disable any feature, part, or function of your power chair.
WARNING! Do not modify your power chair in any way not authorized by Pride. Do not use accessories if they have not been tested or approved for Pride products.
Pre-Ride Safety Check
Get to know the feel of your power chair and its capabilities. Pride recommends that you perform a safety check before each use to make sure your power chair operates smoothly and safely.
Perform the following inspections prior to using your power chair:
Check for proper tire inflation. Maintain but do not exceed the psi/bar/kPa air pressure rating indicated on each tire if equipped with pneumatic tires.
Check all electrical connections. Make sure they are tight and not corroded.
Check all controller connections to the power base. Make sure they are secured properly. Check the brakes. See VII. “Care and Maintenance.”
Check battery charge. See VI. “Batteries and Charging.”
NOTE: If you discover a problem, contact your Quantum Rehab Provider for assistance.
I I . S A F E T Y
Weight Limitations
Your power chair is rated for a maximum weight capacity. Please refer to the specifications table for this limit. Keep in mind that the maximum weight capacity includes the combined weight of the user and any accessories mounted to the power chair.
MANDATORY! Stay within the specified weight capacity of your power chair. Exceeding the weight capacity voids your warranty. Pride will not be held responsible for injuries and/or property damage resulting from failure to observe weight limitations.
WARNING! Do not carry passengers on your power chair. Carrying passengers on your power chair may affect the center of gravity, resulting in a tip or a fall.
Tire Inflation
If your power chair is equipped with pneumatic tires, you should check or have the air pressure checked regularly. Proper inflation pressures will prolong the life of your tires and help ensure the smooth operation of your power chair.
WARNING! It is important that the psi/bar/kPa air pressure rating indicated on the tire be maintained in pneumatic tires at all times. Do not underinflate or overinflate your tires. Low pressure may result in loss of control, and overinflated tires may burst. Failure to maintain the psi/bar/kPa air pressure rating indicated on the pneumatic tires at all times may result in tire and/or wheel failure.
WARNING! Inflate your power chair drive tires from a regulated air source with an available pressure gauge. Inflating your tires from an unregulated air source could overinflate them, resulting in a burst tire.
NOTE: If the tires on your power chair list the psi rating only, use the following conversion formulas to find
the bar or kPa rating: bar = psi x 0.06895; kPa = psi x 6.89476.
Incline Information
More and more buildings have ramps with specified degrees of inclination, designed for easy and safe access. Some ramps may have turning switchbacks
Proceed with extreme caution as you approach the downgrade of a ramp or other incline.
Take wide swings with your power chair’s front wheels around any tight corners. If you do that, the power chair’s rear wheels will follow a wide arc, not cut the corner short, and not bump into or get hung up on any railing corners.
When driving down a ramp, keep the power chair’s speed adjustment set to the slowest speed setting to ensure a safely controlled descent.
Avoid sudden stops and starts.
When climbing an incline, try to keep your power chair moving. If you must stop, start up again slowly and then accelerate cautiously. When driving down an incline, set your power chair to the slowest speed setting and drive in the forward direction only. If your power chair starts to move down the incline faster than you anticipated or desired, allow it to come to a complete stop by releasing the joystick, then push the joystick forward slightly to ensure a safely controlled descent.
WARNING! When on any sort of an incline or decline, never place the power chair in freewheel mode while seated on it or standing next to it
WARNING! When climbing an incline, do not zigzag or drive at an angle up the face of the incline. Drive your power chair straight up the incline. This greatly reduces the possibility of a tip or a fall. Always exercise extreme caution when negotiating an incline.
WARNING! You should not travel up or down a potentially hazardous incline (i.e., areas covered with snow, ice, cut grass, or wet leaves).
WARNING! Never travel down an incline backward. Doing so may cause the power chair to tip. Always exercise extreme caution when negotiating an incline.
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