9
User
manual
70252-a.1-PLATINE 1-2 USER MANUAL
8.2 Riding your wheelchair
8.2.0 In order to reduce the risk of a tip-over, you
should:
1. CONSULT your doctor, nurse or therapist to find out what
axle and caster position and other chair configuration options
are best for you.
2. CONSULT your authorized Motion Composites dealer
BEFORE you modify or adjust your wheelchair. Often, an
adjustment you wish to make can be offset by another that
you have not considered. For example, you may want to adjust
the back angle rearward, which will increase the likelihood
of a rear tip-over. You might not think you could counteract
this tendency by moving the rear wheels backward. Your
authorized Motion Composites dealer will be able to give you
expert, personalized advice in such matters.
3. ALWAYS have someone assist you until you learn your
chair’s balance points and are completely comfortable in your
ability to operate your chair under all conditions so as to avoid
tip-overs.
4. ALWAYS use anti-tippers.
If you ignore these Warnings, you may fall, tip over or lose
control of the wheelchair and seriously injure yourself or others
or damage the wheelchair.
8.2.1 Balance point
It is important to begin by learning all of the specific
characteristics of your wheelchair. Ask a health professional to
explain them to you. Carrying a backpack will affect the balance
point of your wheelchair. Be aware of resulting handling factors
in relation to your body position, posture or weight distribution.
The center of gravity is affected by the angle of the wheelchair
on a ramp or slope. This can be felt in forward and backward
as well as side to side movements. Make sure to review the
different riding techniques prior to using the wheelchair. Use
anti-tippers until you are skilled at riding your wheelchair in any
situation.
8.2.2 Wheelies
DO NOT attempt to perform a wheelie in
your wheelchair because of the dangerous
nature of this kind of maneuver. Motion
Composites recognizes that some
wheelchair users will ignore this Warning. If
you should choose to ignore this Warning,
you should follow these steps to help learn
to do a “wheelie” as safely as possible.
NEVER attempt to learn to do a wheelie without first consulting
your health care advisor. NEVER attempt to learn to do a
wheelie without an assistant that can catch you if you should
happen to start to fall. NEVER attempt to learn to do a wheelie
unless you are a skilled rider on this chair.
Motion Composites always recommend using the anti-tippers
at all-time unless they need to be removed to go up or down a
curb/step. Anti-tippers should be reinstalled once the curb/step
is cleared.
8.2.3 Transferring
Rotate the front casters forward to
enhance stability.
Place the wheelchair as close to your
transfer location as possible. Engage wheel
locks. Position yourself as far back as
possible when transferring weight to reduce
risk of tipping forward. If you have good
upper body strength, balance and agility, you may be able to
perform transfers independently.
Rotate or remove footrests if at all possible as to avoid putting
weight on them. If possible, make use of a transfer board.
Always ask a healthcare provider to learn safe transfer
methods.
Always ask a healthcare provider to learn safe transfer
methods.
For safety reason, user should always reduce to the
minimum the transfer distance.
DO NOT sit or transfer into the wheelchair unless it is fully
open and the seat frame rails are fully seated into the
receivers.
DO NOT use the footplate as a platform when getting in or out
of the wheelchair or to reach for an object.
8.2.4 Getting Dressed
When dressing or undressing on the wheelchair, rotate the front
casters forward and lock anti-tippers in the lower position.
If your wheelchair is not equipped with anti-tippers, back it
against a wall and lock the rear wheels.
8.2.5 Reaching/Leaning/Bending
The balance point may shift when you are putting on
clothes and/or reaching for objects while sitting in the
wheelchair.
If at all possible, use a reaching device
or ask for assistance when reaching for
objects.
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to
the required object.
Rotate the casters as far forward as
possible from the rear wheels.
NEVER reach for objects between your
legs, but rather position yourself to the side
of these objects.
DO NOT shift your weight sideways,
but rather rise up from the seat or move
forward in the seat. Always use both
hands and grab the opposite side wheel or
armrest if you are capable of reaching sideways. Never reach
to the rear of the wheelchair unless it is equipped with anti-
tippers Never reach for objects over the seat back: reach only
as far as your arm naturally extends without moving on the
seat.
DO NOT lock the rear wheels if you are reaching backwards.
Avoid putting pressure on the footrests.
8.2.6 Moving backwards
Lock anti-tippers in lower position. Move slowly: the wheelchair
is designed to provide you with more stability when moving
forward. Look around as often as possible to avoid obstacles
in your path.
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