58
15.
Driving the wheelchair
This chapter specifies the methods of operation which can be performed by
the occupant during normal use.
The wheelchair is designed for indoor and outdoor use. When driving indoors,
you must be careful when driving in, for example, narrow passageways, when
passing through doors and entryways as well as when using elevators, ramps,
etc. If you have electrical seat lift and tilt function, be aware of the risk of
things getting caught in the machinery, in particular when the wheelchair has
been run in under a table, workbench or something like that.
Outdoors, you must remember to drive very slowly on steep downhill slopes
and to be very careful when driving on uneven surfaces, on uphill slopes, with
sideways slopes and when negotiating obstacles. Always maintain a safe
distance from the edge when driving close to drop-offs and pavements.
15.1
Driving in general
Make sure that the control system is mounted right and that the joystick
position is correct. The hand or limb you use to operate the joystick should be
supported, for example by the wheelchair armrest. Do not use the joystick as
the sole support for your hand or limb, the wheelchair movements and bumps
could upset your control, which might result in uncontrolled driving.
1.
Switch on the power by pressing the on/off button on the control panel.
2.
If you use R-net control, select the right profile (start with the indoor profile)
We recommend that you should make repeated test drives in areas in which
you know you feel secure so that you are quite familiar with how the
wheelchair and its accessories behave in different situations before you
begin using the wheelchair on normal roads and other public areas.