I I . S A F E T Y
Reaching and Bending
Never reach, lean, or bend while driving your power chair. If it is absolutely necessary to reach, lean, or bend while seated on your power chair, it is important to maintain a stable center of gravity and keep the power chair from tipping. Pride recommends that the power chair user determine his/her personal limitations and practice bending and reaching in the presence of a qualified healthcare professional.
WARNING! Do not bend, lean, or reach for objects if you have to pick them up from the floor by reaching down between your knees or if you have to reach over the back of the seat. Movements such as these may change your center of gravity and the weight distribution of the power chair, possibly causing your power chair to tip.
WARNING! Keep your hands away from the tires when driving. Be aware that loose fitting clothing can become caught in drive tires.
Transfers
Transferring onto and off of your power chair requires a good sense of balance. Always have an attendant or healthcare professional present while learning to prop- erly transfer yourself.
To eliminate the possibility of injury, Pride recom- mends that you or a trained attendant perform the fol- lowing tasks before attempting a transfer:
Ensure your power chair is not in freewheel mode. See III. “Your Power Chair.”
Turn the caster wheels toward the transfer destina- tion to improve power chair stability during transfer.
Make sure both armrests are flipped up or removed
from your power chair.
Flip up the foot platform or move the leg rests aside; this will help to keep your feet from getting caught on the front rigging during the transfer.
Reduce the distance between your power chair and
the object you are transferring onto. | Figure 3. Ideal Transfer Position |
WARNING! Before transferring, turn off the power to the controller to prevent unintended movement.
WARNING! Before transferring, position yourself as far back as possible in the power chair seat to prevent the power chair from tipping forward during transfer.
WARNING! Avoid putting all of your weight on the power chair armrests and do not use the armrests for weight bearing purposes, such as transfers. Such use may cause the power chair to tip, resulting in a fall from the power chair and personal injury.
WARNING! The controller and controller bracket are
WARNING! Avoid putting all of your weight on the front riggings. Such use may cause the power chair to tip.
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