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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for people with limited walking abilities. It is essential to know how to use your wheelchair and have occupational therapy or a doctor assist you in this. Wheelies are a common method for moving the wheelchair. The person using the wheelchair must have large hands to be able to span the rims, and also have the strength to push it forward. Seating Position As the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. This is the key for many people to regain their independence, or keeping it. It also minimises the risk of injury to the person using the wheelchair and those around them. The wheelchair user must be comfortable when seated in the chair. There are many things that can be done to ensure this. First, make sure that the footplates are in the proper position. Release the latch on the footrest and swing the footrests around to place them in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and there is enough pressure under their feet. The height of the footrest may require lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can put the pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain if they are too high. A strap for the forehead can help the wheelchair user stay straight, particularly if their neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted by a mobility expert and can be used on wheelchairs that do not include headrests. It is important that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are in the correct position to ensure that the wheelchair user does not hit them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to the desired height. It is also essential that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. These are because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of the wheelchair. In certain instances the skin may become dry and irritated due to sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time. This can also cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move themselves and eliminate the need for another person to push them. They are more maneuverable because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. This allows them to move over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps. When you are moving forward on your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. Too much pressure could cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you are able to apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms. all terrain self propelled wheelchair will improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply. Keep the front casters clear of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it can make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and can result in the loss of control and/or injury. If you have a high seat to floor height, it could be useful to get some extra padding for the front casters. If you are climbing an unassuming step or a curb, it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you want to do this on your own, you'll require additional training and experience under the supervision of an expert in health care. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or with small steps and position the front tires close to the edge. It is essential to have enough space in the space in front of you when moving up the hill. This will prevent you from colliding with other people. You'll gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space in front of you. You may also collide with another person. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of people around you while on an upslope. Also, make sure you have someone with you to help you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair. Braking A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to control the braking and guiding actions in a specific manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to shift forward if the braking action is not applied in a controlled way. When pushing a wheelchair always ensure that your hand is in the right position, ideally at ten hours (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, which makes it easier to push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints. To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right hand rim and pull back on the left rim. This will turn the wheelchair left, allowing you to stay seated. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards. Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair for the most safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may have to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to conquer steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the directions in the User Guide. When traversing kerb stones, it is recommended that you mount and dismount via ramps as often as you can. This will minimize the pressure that is required on the rear and front tyres, allowing you to traverse the kerb at a faster speed. Many manual wheelchairs have a kerb-climber feature which can aid in this process. It boosts the ability of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4”) To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick to the side to release the motor, and then release it gently brakes. The wheelchair will then come to a halt and allow you to take off the footrests, set up walking aids and safely leave the chair. Steering The user is accountable for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are numerous ways to accomplish this, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for instance, can decide the type of terrain a wheelchair can handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be as quick. On smooth, level surfaces on level, smooth surfaces, the wheelchair user must push the wheels with both hands to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the rims of the hand because this could cause injuries and result in over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning back and forward to different degrees to find the optimal balance between leaning and control. The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and plan ahead for more challenging terrain. The user of the wheelchair should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they are traveling with a caregiver they should be prepared to assist when needed. If the wheelchair is placed on a slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with the. To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the other rim back. It is recommended to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion could be uncomfortable and the wheelchair could slide over if not mastered. The power wheels on the wheelchair can ease the burden on the user and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers can try to push a person who is in the wheelchair against their will, so the wheelchair user must ensure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.