The Bath Buddy / Bathmate portable lift is a bath aid designed to provide safe and comfortable bathing for individuals with limited mobility or disabilities. It gently lowers the bather into the water from a comfortable seated position and raises them out when it's time to exit.
Function Description:
The system consists of a white inflatable cushion, a main blower unit, a hose, a mains lead and plug, and a hand control unit. The cushion is placed in the bath while deflated, with its suckers securely fastened to the bath surface. Once in position, the bather can inflate the cushion using the hand control unit. The blower unit automatically stops when the correct pressure is achieved, preventing over-inflation. Water can then be added to the bath. To enter the bath, the bather sits on the cushion and uses the hand control to gently deflate it, lowering themselves into the water. The cushion's lumbar support and seat area fold in to promote a supported descent. To exit, the bather sits upright on the cushion and inflates it using the hand control, which raises them to the bath's edge. The system is designed to stop automatically when fully inflated.
Important Technical Specifications:
- Cushion (Standard): 0.57m (W) x 0.38m (H) x 0.59m (D)
- Cushion (Tall): 0.57m (W) x 0.46m (H) x 0.59m (D)
- Cushion Stroke Height (Tall): 1.5 to 380mm (455mm)
- Blower Unit: 0.35m (W) x 0.18m (H) x 0.33m (D)
- Hose Length: 3.0m
- Control Lead Length: 3.0m
- Operating Pressure: 5 to 105 mbar (normal), 125 mbar (maximum)
- Maximum Working Load: 127 kg
- Motor Power Rating: 1000Vac ±1.5%
- Voltage: 240Vac 50Hz
- Fuse Rating: 13A
- Blower Unit Weight: 4.0 kg
- Cushion & Hose Weight: 1.9 kg
- Mode of Operation: ED 10% (Drive time to 2 mins, Stop time to 18 mins)
- Hand Control Operating Force: 0.2N/mm²
- Operating Temperature: 0 to 50°C
- Operating Humidity (non-condensing): 30% to 95%
- Operating Altitude: 795 hPa to 1060 hPa
- Max. Noise Level: 70 dB (A)
- Protection Class: II
- Device Type: Applied Part Type B
- Water Ingress: IPX4
- Medical Device Class: 1
- Recommended Bath Widths: 460mm to 560mm (18" to 22")
- Recommended Bath Depths (Standard Cushion): 340mm - 415mm (13" - 16")
- Recommended Bath Depths (Tall Cushion): 415mm - 490mm (16" - 19")
Usage Features:
- Easy Setup: The appliance should be set up at least 60cm away from the bathtub or shower. Any bathroom socket must be protected by an isolation transformer or RCD (30 mA); otherwise, the compressor must be plugged in outside the bathroom.
- Secure Adhesion: Ensure suckers and bath surface are clean and free from deposits for proper adhesion. Gently pull on each sucker after placement to confirm adhesion.
- Inflation/Deflation Control: The hand control unit allows for gentle inflation and deflation. Releasing the button at any time stops the action. The "up" button should be depressed until the blower unit stops automatically to ensure proper inflation.
- Safety Features: The blower unit automatically switches off once correct pressure is obtained, preventing over-inflation. In the unlikely event of failure, air will bleed back through the motor. If the blower unit operates for more than 20 seconds after full inflation, release the UP button and consult a dealer.
- Water Temperature: Avoid water temperatures exceeding 50°C (122°F) as this can distort the cushion.
- Central Seating: Maintaining a central sitting position on the cushion is crucial for stability during raising and lowering. Leaning slightly forward can aid stability.
- Air Leak Check: Before use, check for air leaks from the cushion and hose, visible as air bubbles. Discontinue use and contact your supplier if leaks are present.
- Grab Rail Compatibility: A fixed grab rail can be fitted as an accessory to aid stability and balance. Positioning guidelines are provided (Position A: 300-900mm from back edge of bath; Position B: 100-600mm from top edge of bath).
- Assisted Bathing: For children or severely disabled/infirm users, supervision or assistance from a carer may be necessary.
- Power Failure Protocol: In case of power failure or product failure, the unit will not operate, requiring assistance to exit the bath. An alarm system or telephone should be conveniently placed nearby.
- Hand Control Safety: The hand control unit has no electrical connection to the mains, making it safe to operate with wet hands. The blower unit, however, is connected to mains electricity and should not be handled with wet hands unless disconnected.
Maintenance Features:
- Regular Cleaning: Remove the cushion from the bath after every use and clean it, along with the suckers. The hand control unit, hose, and cushion should be dried after use.
- Sanitization: In situations with infection risk, components should be sanitized with water-based disinfectants, rinsed, and thoroughly dried. Store the cushion dry.
- Sucker Maintenance: Screw-fixing suckers can be individually removed for cleaning and replacement.
- Seam Check: Regularly check the cushion seams, especially when drying the fully deflated cushion. The cushion has a double seam for reliability. If the first seam is compromised, discontinue use and contact the supplier.
- Fuse Replacement: Change the 13 amp fuse as required, ensuring it's an identical rated (13A) ASTA Approved to BS 1362 fuse. If the fuse cover is damaged, the plug must not be used and should be replaced by the manufacturer or qualified person.
- Servicing: The product has an expected lifetime of 3 years, after which it requires servicing. Servicing can be arranged by contacting The Bath Buddy Company Ltd.
- Disconnection and Storage: After use, deflate the cushion (at least partially) to remove it. To fully deflate for storage, disconnect the hose from the blower unit by depressing the button on the connector. Apply gentle pressure or roll the cushion into a cylinder to remove remaining air.
- Disposal: The blower unit should be disposed of separately from household waste at the end of its life.
- Warranty: The Bath Buddy Company Ltd undertakes to repair or replace, free of charge, any unit that fails in normal domestic use within one year from the date of purchase, provided the product has been kept, used, and maintained according to instructions. Reasonable charges may apply for returns where no fault is found or if the fault is due to misuse.
- Repair and Modifications: All repair work, servicing, and modifications should be carried out by The Bath Buddy Company Ltd. Unauthorized modifications can lead to product failure and hazards.
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