Page 5 of 12
1.
Reaching / bending forward
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach. Position the
front castors so that they are extended as far forward as possible. Fully engage the wheel
locks on the rear wheels. Only reach out to take what is within arms length in normal
sitting position. Only the arms should extend beyond the seat of the wheelchair.
2.
Reaching / bending backwards
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach. Reach back
only as far as your arm will extend without changing your seating position. Do not lean
over the top of the back upholstery as this could change your centre of gravity and may
cause you to tip over.
3.
Reaching / leaning sideways
Move the wheelchair as close as possible to the object you wish to reach. Rotate the front
castors to a line in the direction you will be reaching. Fully engage the wheel locks on
the rear wheels. Do not shift your weight or sitting position towards the object you are
reaching as it may cause the wheelchair to tip over.
4.
Transferring
Before attempting to transfer in and out of the wheelchair, every precaution should be
taken to ensure the gap between the two seats is as small as possible. Be certain that the
wheel locks are on to prevent the wheels moving. Turn both castors in the direction of
the seat to which you wish to move. Lift up the footplates and fold back the supports to
the side. Do not stand on the footplates. It is imperative that the actual transfer
procedure be supervised by a certified health care professional until the wheelchair owner
has become familiar with the procedure.
5.
Negotiating Obstacles
5. 1.
Forwards
The wheelchair should be tilted by the helper until the front castors have
passed over the kerbs. Move the wheelchair forward until the rear wheels
touch the kerb and gently lower the front castors over the pavement. Push
the lift until the rear wheels have mounted the kerb. The wheelchair
should not be lifted by the handles alone,
please use your foot to press
down on the rear frame of the wheelchair.
5.2.
Backwards
The wheelchair should be positioned so that the rear wheels are against the
kerb. The helper should then tilt the wheelchair backwards and then pull
the chair until the rear wheels mount the kerb. The front castors should
only be lowered to the ground when the wheelchair has been pulled
sufficiently away from the kerb.
5.3.
Upward and Downward slopes
Always go straight up and down slopes to avoid the possibility of the
wheelchair overturning.
