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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to those with limitations in their walking. It is important to learn how to maneuver your chair and to have a doctor/occupational therapist help train you in this area. Many people move their wheelchairs using a technique known as “wheelies”. This requires the user to have hands large enough to extend these rims, and good grip strength to propel forward. Seating Position As the name suggests 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 lowers the risk of injury for both the wheelchair user and those surrounding them. It is crucial that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for wheelchair users. There are many things to do to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates must be in the correct place. Release the footrest catch and then swing them round so that they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates. The footrest's height could require to be reduced, particularly for those who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests aren't high enough, they can put pressure on the seat bones and cause discomfort and pain. A strap for the forehead can help keep the user of a wheelchair upright, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. They can be fitted to wheelchairs without headrests by a specialist in mobility. If the wheelchair has armrests it is important to ensure that they are in the proper position so that the user of the wheelchair can move without hitting them with their arms while they move. It is recommended to use a wheelchair with swing-away or removable armrests to accomplish this. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and put on the back of the armrest in order to raise them to a more comfortable level. It is also important that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surfaces of a wheelchair. In certain instances, the skin can become irritated and raw from sitting in the same position for a long period of time. It may also cause blisters. Repositioning the chair regularly can help reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move themselves and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are much easier to maneuver due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. This allows them to move over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about tripping or getting stuck on obstacles like curbs or steps that are small. As you move forwards with your chair, take care not to grip the handle too hard. Overly pressure could cause your hands to tighten and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You may also find it useful to wear a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the amount of force you can apply. Keep the front casters free of debris, like rocks or sticks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it can make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can cause an uncontrolled movement and/or injury. If you have a very high seat-to-floor height, it might be beneficial to put some extra padding for the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to help you climb a curb or just a tiny step. If you'd like to accomplish this yourself, you'll need more training and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. When doing this, it is essential to place the wheelchair facing directly towards (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and position the front wheels close to the curb's edge. When you are pushing up a slope, it is essential to have a clear path ahead of you to ensure that you don't get in the way of other people. If you don't have clear space ahead of you, you'll accelerate quickly and might collide with other people. You can avoid this by staying aware of people who are around you on a slope. Also, you should have an adult or caregiver available to catch you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair. Braking To ensure that the wheelchair is safe, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a particular manner. This is particularly crucial when the chair is placed on an inclined slope, since the centre of gravity can move forward if brakes are not applied in a controlled way. Always make sure your hand is in the right position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 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 left with a wheelchair you need to push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair right, allowing you to stay in a seated position. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping over in the reverse direction. Always read the user's guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In some cases the wheelchair might need to be dismounted temporarily and operated by hand to negotiate steep slopes. If this happens, it is recommended to seek help from a friend or relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide. It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating kerbstones. This will decrease the amount of pressure needed 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 option that can assist in this process. It boosts the ability of the wheelchair to climb by about 10cm (4”) To stop a wheel chair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will de-clutch motor. The wheelchair will stop, and you can remove the footrests or prepare walking aids prior to leaving the chair. Steering When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for controlling and steering. There are many ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and the additions like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, as an example will determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will manage. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult with rough surfaces such as cobblestone or grass. Large casters let a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but it isn't as fast. On smooth, level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to keep momentum. You can do this by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them with both hands. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of your hand, as this can cause injuries and could cause over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with different levels of leaning backwards and forwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean. The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and prepare for more challenging terrain. The wheelchair user must be aware of their shoulders and avoid hitting objects or people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they should be prepared to assist when required. If the wheelchair is used on a slope, a caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable with this. To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the other rim back. It is best to practice on a smooth, flat surface prior to moving onto other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair may tip over if it is not mastered. If My Mobility Scooters is equipped with power wheels, this could take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person who is in a wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should make sure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.