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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. It is essential to know how to move your chair and get a therapist or occupational therapist to train you in this area. Many people move their wheelchair using a technique known as “wheelies”. The person using the wheelchair must have large hands to be able span the rims, and also have the strength to push it forward. Seating Position As the name suggests self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. For many people, this is the most important factor to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury to both the wheelchair user and others around them. It is essential that the chair seating position is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are a variety of things that can be done to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates must be in the correct place. Lift the latch for the footrests and move the footrests to make sure they are in front of the chair. Make sure the wheelchair user is able to comfortably place their feet on the footplates and that there is enough pressure under their feet. The height of the footrest may require lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause discomfort and pain if they are too high. A strap for the forehead can help keep the wheelchair user upright especially if they suffer from weak neck muscles. These can be fitted by a mobility expert and can be used with wheelchairs that don't include headrests. If the wheelchair has armrests it is important that they are in a proper position and that the wheelchair user is able to move without hitting them with their arms when they move. To achieve this, it is best to choose a wheelchair with removable or swing away armrests. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to the desired height. A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is crucial, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In certain instances, the skin can be irritated and rough due to sitting in the same position for long periods of time. It can cause blisters. To minimize the risk of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be rotated regularly. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs let users move themselves independently and without the need of someone to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs because they have bigger rear wheels and push handles fitted to their sides. They can be used on various surfaces without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck. When you are moving forward on your chair, be careful not to grip the handle too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and decrease the amount of force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip materials in the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can use. It is crucial to keep the front casters clear of any debris, such as rocks and sticks. This material can make it difficult to maneuver your wheelchair as you would expect. It can cause a loss in control and/or injury. If your seat-to-floor height is extremely high, you might be thinking about adding additional padding to the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you climb a curb or just a tiny step. If you are planning to do this independently, more training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or with small steps and position the front tires just before the edge. When pushing up a slope it is important to have a clear space ahead of you so that you don't run into other people. You'll speed up quickly when you don't have enough space ahead of you. You could also crash with another person. To avoid this take care to be aware of those in the vicinity when you are on a slope and have a carer or friend prepared to help you in the event that you begin to fall from your wheelchair. Braking To ensure that the wheelchair is safe the user must use the braking and steering actions in a certain way. This is particularly crucial when on a slope, as it is possible for the centre of gravity to move forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled way. Always make sure that your hand is in the right position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally, you should place it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand near 2 o’clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is on the rear wheels, making it easier to push. It also helps to keep the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. To turn right with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allow you to remain seated in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping backwards. Refer to the user's manual that is included with your wheelchair to determine the highest level of safety your chair can travel. In certain situations, the wheelchair may have to be dismounted temporarily and operated with a hand to climb steep slopes. If this is the case it is advised to seek the assistance of someone you know or a family member and follow the instructions 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 front and rear tyres, which will allow 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 10cm (4”) To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick inward towards you to release the motor, and then release it gently brakes. The wheelchair will then stop which allows you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and safely leave the chair. Steering The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in different ways depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters let a chair move faster but they struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces but the chair will not be as quick. On smooth surface that is level, the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain the momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims while pushing with both hands. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the hand rims because this could cause injuries and result in over-corrections as the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different levels of leaning forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean. The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and plan ahead for more difficult terrain. It is crucial that the user of the wheelchair look over their shoulders frequently to prevent running into objects or other people. Also, when they travel with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are ready to assist when required. If the wheelchair is to be used on a slope, it should be assisted or driven by an adult until the user has gained experience in this. To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. lightweight folding self propelled wheelchair of the wheelchair should practice this on a smooth flat ground before attempting it on any other surface, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair might easily slide over if the technique is not mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this could take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning a lot easier. It is crucial to be aware that untrained people tend to force wheelchair users against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them down.