Invacare At'm - Navigating Everyday Obstacles; Assistant Guidance and Safety; Stairway and Elevator Usage

SECTION 3—SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIRS
Part No. 1125035 17 At’m
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.
 WARNING
DO NOT attempt to reach objects if you have to move forward in the seat or pick
them up from the floor by reaching down between your knees.
Proper positioning is essential for your safety. When reaching, leaning, bending or
bending forward, it is important to use the casters as a tool to maintain stability and
balance.
Many activities require the wheelchair user to reach, bend and transfer in and out of
the wheelchair. These movements will cause a change to the normal balance, cen-
ter of gravity, and weight distribution of the wheelchair. To determine and establish
your particular safety limits, practice bending, reaching and transferring activities in
several combinations in the presence of a qualified healthcare professional before
attempting active use of the wheelchair.
A Note to Wheelchair Assistants
 WARNING
DO NOT attempt to lift the wheelchair by any removable (detachable) parts. Lift-
ing by means of removable (detachable) parts of the wheelchair may result in injury
to the user and/or damage to the wheelchair.
When assistance to the wheelchair user is required, remember to use good body
mechanics. Keep your back straight and bend your knees whenever tipping the
wheelchair or traversing curbs or other impediments.
When learning a new assistance technique, have an experienced assistant help you before
attempting it alone.
Lifting/Stairways
 WARNING
DO NOT attempt to move an occupied power wheelchair between floors using a
stairway. Use an elevator to move an occupied 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.
Extreme caution is advised when it is necessary to move an unoccupied power
wheelchair up or down the stairs. Invacare recommends using two assistants and
making thorough preparations.