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 maneuver your chair and have a doctor/occupational therapist help guide you in this area.

Many people maneuver their wheelchairs using a technique known as "wheelies". The user must have big hands in order to extend the rims of the wheelchair, and grip strength to propel it forward.

Seating Position

Like the name suggests, a narrow self propelled wheelchair uk propelled wheelchair lets you move your body and not rely on others. This is the key for many who want to regain their independence or maintaining it. It also reduces the risk of injury to both the user of the wheelchair and those in the vicinity.

The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable when seated in the chair. To achieve this, there are a few things you can do. First, make sure that the footplates are in the right position. Lift the latch for the footrests and then move the footrests so they are directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates.

The footrest height may need lower, particularly for people who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). The footrests can increase the pressure on the seat bone and cause pain and discomfort if they are too high.

A strap for the forehead can aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. These can be adapted by a mobility expert and can be used with wheelchairs self propelled that don't have headrests.

If the wheelchair has armrests, it is essential that they are in the proper position so that the wheelchair user can move without hitting their arms while they move. To ensure this it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to the desired height.

A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is essential, particularly for those who are at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against surfaces of the wheelchair. In some cases, the skin can become dry and irritated due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time. It can cause blisters. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly can reduce the chance of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move on their own and become independent from the need for a third party to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they have larger rear wheels and push handles. They can travel across a variety of surfaces, without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be cautious not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. A lot of pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can apply. You can also use wheelchair gloves or handrim covers that have grip material on the palms. This will improve your hand positioning and increase the force you can apply.

Keep the front casters clear of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters are covered with this type of material, it may make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair, and could cause an uncontrolled movement and/or injury. If your seat-to-floor height is extremely high, you may be thinking about adding extra padding on the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you go up a curb or an easy self-propelled wheelchair step. If you are planning to do this independently, more training and practice is needed under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you do this, it is crucial that you place the wheelchair facing directly towards (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and place the front wheels near the curb's edge.

It is essential to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up a hill. This will prevent you from colliding with other people. You'll speed up quickly if you don't leave enough space in front of you. You may also collide with another person. To prevent this from happening make sure you are aware of those in the vicinity when you are on a slope. You should also have a caregiver or a friend ready to catch you in the event 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 specific way. This is particularly crucial when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to move forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner.

Always ensure that your hand is in the correct position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should put it at 10 o'clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o'clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is placed over the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps to keep the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints.

To turn right 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 left so that you can remain sitting. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.

Consult the user guide that is included with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In some instances, the wheelchair may have to be removed temporarily and operated by hand to negotiate steep slopes. In this instance it is recommended you ask a family member or family member for assistance and follow the steps in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating the kerbstones. This reduces the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by increasing the ability of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, pull the joystick inward towards you to de-clutch the motor and then release it gently brakes. The wheelchair will then come to a halt, enabling you to remove the footrests, put in walking aids and get out of the chair.

Steering

If you are using a self propelled wheelchair with power assist-propelled wheelchair the user is responsible for controlling and steering. This can be done in different ways depending on the structure of the chair and any add-ons like armrests or phone and drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters let a chair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters can let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but they won't be nearly as fast.

The user of a wheelchair must use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims while pushing with both hands. 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. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with various degrees of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users must be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is important that the user of the wheelchair look over his or her shoulders regularly to prevent running into objects or other people. Also, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they must ensure that they are ready to help when needed. If the wheelchair is to be used on an inclined slope, it must be driven or assisted by a caregiver until the user has gained experience with this.

To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other forwards. It is best to practice on a smooth, flat surface before moving onto any other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair may tip over if it is not properly mastered. The power wheels of the wheelchair can ease the pressure on the user, and make turning easier. It is also helpful to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push someone in a wheelchair against their will, which is why the wheelchair user must ensure that their handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.