MOONLITE
11
ENGLISH
5.2 Seat Belt continued
To fasten buckle:
Firmly push male buckle
into female buckle .
To release belt:
Press exposed sides of
male buckle and push
towards centre whilst gently
pulling apart .
If in doubt about the use and operation of the
seat belt then ask your healthcare profes
sional, wheelchair dealer, carer or attendant
for assistance.
Do not rely on the seat belt only when the
wheelchair and occupant are transported in a
vehicle. Use the separate occupant lap and
diagonal restraints provided in the vehicle.
See section 6 for details on transportation.
5.3 How to use your wheelchair
Whenever using your wheelchair you should carry out the
following checks before setting out:
• Ensure that the brakes are secure and are functioning
correctly by applying the brake and ensuring that the
brake bar makes contact with the tyre .
• Check that the front castors swivel freely and the
wheels rotate freely and the tyres are free from
damage .
• Check that the rear wheels are free from damage
including any damaged, loose or bent spokes on self-
propelling wheels .
• Check that the seat and backrest are not damaged
by cuts or tears or that there is no sign of excessive
sagging .
• Ensure that any removable parts have been refitted to
the wheelchair
• Check that any detachable parts such as footrests
which when refitted are secured and will not detach
when using the wheelchair .
Occupant control
Occupant control (self-propelled) chairs have hand rims
fitted on the outside of the rear wheels .
• By gripping the hand rims and pushing or pulling round
the hand rim, the wheelchair can be propelled either
forward or backwards .
• By pulling one wheel backwards and one wheel
forwards using the hand rims . The wheelchair can be
turned around in a tight space .
• Check that there are no obstacles or people on the
turning space before starting this procedure .
Many pavements and roads slope towards the kerb and
this may cause the wheelchair to veer to one side .
To counteract this it may be necessary to steer the
wheelchair in the opposite direction . Avoiding uneven or
soft ground and utilising drop kerbs whenever possible
may make the journey more comfortable . The tyre grip of
the wheelchair is affected by the surface over which the
wheelchair is pushed . Therefore, extra care should be
taken when weather conditions cause wet or icy surfaces .
• Make sure that the brakes are always on when the chair
is not being pushed .
• Make sure that both feet are safely on the footplates
and that clothing is safely tucked in and cannot catch in
the wheels .
• Use both hands on the push handles to control the
chair .
• Look well ahead to avoid hazards (e.g. furniture, doors,
etc .)
• Avoid steep and uneven surfaces because the chair
may tip over .
• Avoid soft surfaces because the castors may get stuck.
• Try to achieve a smooth steady ride.
DO NOT turn too quickly.
DO NOT propel the wheelchair at speeds in
excess of normal walking pace.
DO NOT hang items such as bags or ruck
sacks on the back of the push handles, as
this can overload the chair and affect the
stability of the wheelchair - causing it to tip
over.
Attendant pushing
Keep in contact with the person in the chair . If you stop
to look in shop windows or talk to people, remember to
turn the chair so that the person in the chair does not
have to turn or lean .
There are no anti-tips fitted as standard to the
attendant version of the Moonlite, therefore
make sure that you are physically capable of
pushing the user and chair on a slope parti
cularly up hill and that you are prepared if the
chair tips backwards.
Ensure that all parts of the user’s body and
clothing, including any rugs or blankets, are
clear of the moving parts such as the wheels.
