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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for those who have difficulty walking. It is crucial to know how to use your wheelchair, and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you with this. Wheelies are a popular technique to move in a wheelchair. This requires the user to have large hands to span these rims and good grip strength to propel them forward. Seating Position Like the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. This is the key for many people to regain their independence or maintaining it. It also reduces the chance of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those who are around them. The wheelchair user must be comfortable when seated in the chair. To achieve this, there are a few ways to go about it. First, the footplates should be in the correct place. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests to make sure they are facing the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is pressure beneath their feet. The footrest height may need lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are too high they can cause increased pressure on the seat bones and cause pain and discomfort. A strap for the forehead can help keep the user upright in their wheelchair, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. They can be fitted by a mobility expert and can be used with wheelchairs that don't have headrests. all terrain self propelled wheelchair is important that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are placed in an appropriate position to ensure that the wheelchair user doesn't strike them with their arms when they move. To achieve this, it is best to use wheelchairs with armrests that can be removed or swivel away. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and put on the back of the armrest to raise them up to a more comfortable level. A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is important, especially for those who are at high risk for skin breakdown or pressure sores. These are because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In some instances skin irritation and blisters may occur after sitting in a single position for a long time. Repositioning the chair regularly can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves and free themselves from the need for another person to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have larger rear wheels and pushing handles fitted on their sides. They can be used on many surfaces without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck. Be cautious not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Overly pressure can cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can use. It may also be helpful to wear a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip materials built into the palms. This will help improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply. Keep the front casters free of debris, such as rocks or sticks. This can make it difficult to maneuver your wheelchair in the way you think. It can also lead to an impairment in control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is high, you might think about adding extra padding on the front casters. If you are climbing a curb or small step, it is recommended that you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair to provide assistance. If you'd like to do this independently, you will require more instruction and practice under the supervision of a health professional. When you do this, it is crucial to place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and then place the front wheels close to the edge of the curb. It is important to leave plenty of space in front of you when pushing up the hill. This will prevent you from crashing into other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll gain speed very quickly and might hit other people. To avoid this make sure you are aware of those who are around you when you're on a slope. Also, have a carer or friend waiting to catch you in the event that you begin to fall off your wheelchair. Braking To ensure that the wheelchair is safe users must perform the braking and steering actions in a particular way. This is especially important when on a slope as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner. Always make sure that your hand is in the proper position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally, you should place it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is over the rear wheels and facilitates the smoothest, most simple push. It also helps to keep the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints. To turn right in a wheelchair move forward on the right hand rim, then pull back on the left rim. This will turn the wheelchair to the right and allow you to remain in a seated position. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping backwards. Refer to the user's manual that comes with your wheelchair for the highest level of safety your chair can traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to get over steep slopes. In this case it is recommended you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the directions in the User Guide. It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating the kerbstones. This will minimize the amount of pressure required on the front and rear tyres and allow you to traverse the kerb at a faster speed. Many manual wheelchairs have a kerb-climber feature that can assist in this process. It boosts the capacity of the wheelchair to climb by about 10cm (4”) To stop a wheelchair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will release the clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop, and you can remove the footrests or make walking aids before safely leaving the chair. Steering If you are using a self-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for steering and controlling. This can be done in a variety of ways, depending on the structure of the chair and any additional features such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as 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 like grass or cobblestone. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but they will not be as swift. On smooth, level surfaces on level, smooth surfaces, the wheelchair user must push the wheels with both hands to maintain momentum. This is done by gripping the hand rims and pushing with a uniform hand. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of the hand, as this can cause injuries and could cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that the user of a wheelchair test leaning forward and backwards to different degrees in order to find an optimal balance between lean and control. For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is crucial that the user of the wheelchair look over his or her shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people, and when they travel with a caregiver, they must ensure that they are prepared to help when needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be assisted or driven by a caregiver until the user is familiar in this. To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls the rim of one hand back while pushing the other hand forwards. It is recommended to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable, and the chair could tip over if it is not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning a lot easier. It is also beneficial to be aware that good-hearted but untrained strangers can try to push someone in the wheelchair against their will, therefore the wheelchair user should make sure that their handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.