SECTION 2—SAFETY/HANDLING
Part No.1125095 9 Transport Chairs
SECTION 2—SAFETY/HANDLING
Safety/Handling of Transport Chairs
Safetyandhandlingofthetransportchairrequiresthecloseattentionofthetransportchairuseraswellastheassistant.This
manualpointsoutthemostcommonproceduresandtechniquesinvolvedinthesafeoperationandmaintenanceofthe
transportchair. Itisimportanttopracticeandmasterthesesafe
techniquesuntilyouarecomfortableinmaneuveringaround
thefrequentlyencounteredarchitecturalbarriers.
Usethisinformationonlyasabasicguide.Thetechniquesthatarediscussedonthefollowingpageshavebeenused
successfullybymany.
Individualtransportchairusersoftendevelopskillstodealwithdailylivingactivitiesthatmay
differfromthosedescribed
inthismanual.Invacarerecognizesandencourageseachindividualtotrywhatworksbestforhim/herinovercoming
architecturalobstaclesthattheymayencounter.However,allwarningsandcautionsgiveninthismanualMUSTbe
followed.Techniquesinthismanualareastartingpointforthenew
transportchairuserandassistantwithsafetyasthe
mostimportantconsiderationforall.
Stability and Balance
NOTE:Forthisprocedure,refertoFIGU RE 2.1.
Toassurestabilityandproperoperationofyourtransportchair,youmustatalltimesmaintainproperbalance.Your
transportchairhasbeendesignedtoremainuprightandstableduringnormaldailyactivitiesaslongasyoudonotmove
beyondthecenterof
gravity.
Virtuallyallactivitieswhichinvolvemovementinthetransportchairhaveaneffectonthecenterofgravity.Invacare
recommendsusingseat/chestpositioningstrapsforadditionalsafetywhileinvolvedinactivitiesthatshiftyourweight.
DONOTleanforwardoutofthetransportchairanyfurtherthanthelengthofthe
armrests.Makesurethecastersare
pointingintheforwardpositionwheneveryouleanforward.Thiscanbeachievedbyadvancingthetransportchairand
thenreversingitinastraightline.
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.
Manyactivitiesrequirethetransportchairownertoreach,
bendandtransferinandoutofthetransportchair.These
movementswillcauseachangetothenormalbalance,the
centerofgravity,andtheweightdistributionofthe
transportchair.Todetermineandestablishyourparticular
safetylimits,practicebending,
reachingandtransferring
activitiesinseveralcombinationsinthepresenceofa
qualifiedhealthcareprofessionalbeforeattemptingactive
useofthetransportchair.
Properpositioningisessentialforyoursafety.When
reaching,leaning,orbendingforward,itisimportanttouse
thefrontcastersasatooltomaintainstabilityand
balance.
FIGURE 2.1 Stability and Balance
Coping with Everyday Obstacles
Copingwiththeirritationofeverydayobstaclescanbealleviatedsomewhatbylearninghowtomanageyourtran sport
chair.Keepinmindyourcenterofgravitytomaintainstabilityandbalance.
A Note to Transport Chair Assistants
Whenassistancetothetransportchairuserisrequired,remembertousegoodbodymechanics. Keepyourbackstraightand
bendyourkneeswhenevertippingthetransportchairortraversingcurbs,orotherimpediments.