How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair<br /><br />Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those with limited walking ability. It is important that you know how to use your wheelchair and let a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.<br /><br />Wheelies are a popular technique for moving the wheelchair. The user must have big hands in order to extend the rims of the wheelchair, and grip strength to propel it forward.<br /><br />Seating Position<br /><br />As the name implies self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many people to regain their independence or maintaining it. It also minimises the risk of injury to both the person using the wheelchair and those around them.<br /><br />It is crucial that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To accomplish this, there are a few things you can do. First, the footplates must be in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and swing them around until they are at the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.<br /><br />It is possible to lower the height of the footrest, especially if the user is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the bones of the seat and cause pain and discomfort.<br /><br />A forehead strap can aid the wheelchair user in staying straight, particularly if their neck muscles are weak. They can be fitted to wheelchairs without headrests by a specialist in mobility.<br /><br />If the wheelchair has armrests, it is essential that they are in the right position so that the wheelchair user is able to propel without hitting them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to an appropriate height.<br /><br />It is also essential that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, especially if the wheelchair user has a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some cases skin irritation and blisters may occur after being in one position for a long period of time. To reduce the chances of pressure ulcers, the chair should be moved regularly.<br /><br />Pushing<br /><br />Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves independently and without the need for someone to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have larger rear wheels and push handles that are fitted to the wheels. This enables them to travel over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small.<br /><br />When you are moving forward with your chair, be careful not to hold the handle too tightly. Overly pressure can cause your hands tighten and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You may also find it beneficial to use a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves that have grip material built into the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you use.<br /><br />It is important to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as rocks and sticks. This material could make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you would expect. It can also lead to a loss in control and/or injuries. If the seat-to-floor distance is high, you may want to consider adding some additional padding to the front casters.<br /><br />It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you go up a curb or a small step. If you wish to attempt this independently, more training and practice is required under the supervision of a health professional. When you do this, it is essential that you position the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and place the front wheels close to the edge of the curb.<br /><br />It is essential to leave plenty of space in the front of you when going up a hill. This will keep you from running into other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you will increase speed quickly and might be struck by other people. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people who are around you on an upslope. Also, make sure you have an adult or caregiver available to assist you in case you begin to fall from your wheelchair.<br /><br />Braking<br /><br /><br /><br />To ensure that the wheelchair is safe the user must use the braking and steering actions in a specific manner. This is particularly important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not applied in a controlled manner.<br /><br />When pushing a wheelchair, make sure that the hand is placed in the correct position, usually at ten hours (10:00) on the wheel and released at two clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is on the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps to keep the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.<br /><br />To turn left with a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand rim, then pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allows you to sit in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.<br /><br />Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the most safe slope your chair can travel. In some cases the wheelchair may need to be removed temporarily and operated manually to negotiate steep slopes. In this case it is recommended you ask a family member or family member for help and follow the directions in the User Guide.<br /><br />When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended to mount and dismount via ramps as often as you can. <a href="https://www.mymobilityscooters.uk/categories/self-propelled-wheelchairs/3">Related Web Page</a> will reduce the amount of pressure required on the front and rear tyres, allowing you to travel over the kerb at a faster speed. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber feature which can aid in this process. It improves the ability of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4")<br /><br />To stop a wheelchair, pull the joystick inward towards you to de-clutch the motor and then gently release the 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.<br /><br />Steering<br /><br />The user is accountable for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in various ways, depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as in size and weight. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult on rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as quick.<br /><br />On smooth and level surfaces the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to keep the momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing with a uniform hand. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and result in over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that the wheelchair user try leaning forward and backwards to different degrees in order to find an optimal balance between lean and control.<br /><br />The person using a wheelchair must anticipate obstacles and prepare for terrain that is more challenging. The user of the wheelchair should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid running into objects or other people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they should be ready to help when required. If the wheelchair is used on a steep slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable.<br /><br />To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of the wheelchair should practice this on smooth, level ground before trying it on other surfaces, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily fall over if the motion is not properly mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can ease the burden on the user and help with turning. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person in the wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the handle handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.<br /><br />