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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence for those who have difficulty walking. It is important that you learn how to use your wheelchair, and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this. Wheelies are a common method to move in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have hands that are large enough to extend these rims, and have a strong grip 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 who want to regain their independence or retaining it. It also minimises the risk of injury to the wheelchair user and others who are around them. It is crucial 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. Release the footrest catch and then swing them round so that they are at the front of the chair. Make self propelled wheelchair with attendant brakes that the wheelchair's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates. It could be necessary to lower the footrest height particularly if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they can put pressure on the spine and increase pain and discomfort. A forehead strap can be used to help keep the wheelchair user upright particularly for those with weakness of the neck muscles. They can be fitted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a mobility expert. It is important that if the wheelchair comes with armrests, they are in the correct position to ensure that the wheelchair user isn't able to hit them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to choose a wheelchair with removable or swing away armrests. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them to an appropriate height. It is also crucial that the wheelchair has a well-fitting cushion, especially if the person using the wheelchair is at a higher chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. This is because pressure ulcers are caused by friction between the skin and the surfaces of the wheelchair. In certain instances blisters and skin irritation may occur after sitting in a single position for long periods of time. Repositioning the chair regularly can reduce the chance of pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move independently, without the need for a person to push them. They are much easier to maneuver because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck. When you are moving forward with your chair, take care not to hold the handle too tightly. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to cramp and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You can also use gloves for wheelchairs or handrim covers that have grip material in the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can apply. It is crucial to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as rocks and sticks. This material can make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you would expect. It can cause a loss in control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is very high, you might think about adding additional padding to the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to assist you climb a steep hill or just a tiny step. If you'd like to accomplish this on your own, you'll require additional training and experience under the supervision of medical professionals. When doing this, it is important to place the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and then place the front wheels near the edge of the curb. It is important to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will stop you from running into other people. You'll speed up quickly in the event that you don't leave enough space ahead of you. You could also end up colliding with someone else. To help you avoid this take care to be aware of those around you when you are on a slope. You should also have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in case you start to fall off your wheelchair. Braking A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a particular manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when the chair is placed on an inclined slope, since the center of gravity can move forward if brakes are not performed in a controlled way. Always make sure that your hand is in the right position when you push a wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps keep the strength of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. To turn right in a wheelchair move forward on the right rim and then pull back the left hand rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and will allow you to remain in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars which prevent the wheelchair from tipping backwards. Always refer to the user guide provided with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair is able to traverse. In certain situations the wheelchair may need to be removed temporarily and operated by hand to climb steep slopes. If this is the case it is advised to seek help from someone you know or a family member and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide. When traversing kerb stones, it is recommended that you mount and dismount via ramps whenever possible. This will reduce the pressure that is required on the rear and front tyres, allowing you to move over the kerb at a faster speed. The kerb climber option available on many manual wheelchairs can aid in this process by enhancing the capacity of the chair by around 10cm (4”). To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick inward towards you to de-clutch the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop, and you can remove the footrests or prepare walking aids prior to getting out of the chair. Steering When using a self propelled wheelchair the user is accountable for steering and controlling. This can be accomplished in various ways, depending on the structure of the chair and any add-ons like armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs vary in structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as swift. The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the hand rims and pushing evenly with each hand. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the hand rims because this could cause injuries and cause over-corrections when the chair makes in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the best balance between control and lean. The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and prepare for more challenging terrain. It is crucial that the user of the wheelchair look over his or her shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people. Likewise, in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they must make sure that they are ready to assist when required. If the wheelchair is to be used on the slope, it should be driven or assisted by a caregiver until the user is familiar in this. To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls one hand rim back while pushing the other rim forwards. The user of a wheelchair should practice this on a smooth, level ground before trying it on other surfaces, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily slide over if the technique is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will relieve some pressure off the user and make turning much easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push a person in a wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.