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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence for those with limited walking ability. It is essential to learn how to self propel a wheelchair to use your wheelchair and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you in this.

Many people move their wheelchairs using a technique known as "wheelies". This requires the user to have large hands to reach across the rims and have a strong grip to propel them forward.

Seating Position

Like the name suggests lightweight self propelled wheelchairs-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move around and not rely on others. This is the key for many to regaining their independence or maintaining it. It also reduces the chance of injury for both the wheelchair user as well as the people around them.

It is essential that the chair seating position is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To achieve this, there are many ways to go about it. First, the footplates must be in the correct position. Release the footrest catch and then swing them around until they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates.

It may be necessary to lower the height of the footrest especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they can put pressure on the spine and cause pain and discomfort.

A forehead strap can be used to help keep the user upright in their wheelchair, particularly if they have weak neck muscles. These can be fitted by a mobility expert and are compatible with wheelchairs that do not include headrests.

If the wheelchair has armrests, it is crucial to ensure that they are in the right position so that the user of the wheelchair can move without hitting them with their arms as they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. In addition, foam inserts could be cut and glued to the back of the armrest to raise them up to a more comfortable level.

It is also important that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, especially if the person using the wheelchair is at a higher risk of skin breakdown, or pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some cases, skin irritation and blisters may occur after sitting in a single position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair frequently can help reduce the risk of pressure ulcers.

Pushing

Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move their wheelchairs on their own without the need for someone to push them. They are much easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs since they have bigger rear wheels and push handles that are fitted to them. They can travel across many surfaces without fearing of slipping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be cautious not to hold the chair handle too tightly when you move forward. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to cramp and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip material in the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you can apply.

Keep the front casters free of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and could lead to the loss of control and/or potential injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is very high, you might think about adding extra padding to the front casters.

If you are climbing a curb or small step it is recommended you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you wish to attempt this on your own, additional training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. When you do this, it is crucial that you place the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or a small step and position the front wheels just before the edge of the curb.

When pushing up a slope, it is essential to have a clear path ahead of you to ensure you don't run into other people. You'll gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space in front of you. You could also crash with someone else. You can avoid this by being aware of people who are around you on an upslope. Also, you should have an adult or caregiver available to help you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self propelled wheelchair with suspension propelled wheelchair requires the user to operate the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when on a slope, as it is possible for the centre of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled way.

When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that the hand is placed in the proper position, ideally at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel and released at two hours (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is on the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps to maintain the strength of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.

To turn right in a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair to the right and allow you to remain sitting. Wheelchairs also come with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards.

Consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope your chair is able to traverse. In some circumstances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily removed and operated by hand to get over steep slopes. In this case, it is recommended that you ask a friend or family member for help and follow the steps in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps when negotiating kerbstones. This will lessen the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs will assist with this process by enhancing the climbing capability of the chair by around 10cm (4").

To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick inward towards you to release the motor, and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will stop and allow you to take off the footrests, set up walking aids and safely exit the chair.

Steering

When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is responsible for steering and controlling the. There are numerous ways to accomplish this, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and the additions like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance will determine the kind of terrain a wheelchair is able to manage. Small casters let a chair move faster however they are unable to handle rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters let a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but it will not be as swift.

On smooth surface that is level the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to maintain momentum. You can do this by gripping the handrims while pushing with both hands. Hands shouldn't be wrapped tightly around the rims of the hand since this can cause injury and result in over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different levels of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean.

For more difficult or difficult terrain wheelchair users should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The wheelchair user should keep an eye on both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they must be prepared to assist when required. If the wheelchair is going to be used on a slope, it should be pushed or assisted by an adult until the user has gained experience with this.

To turn to turn, the user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other rim forwards. It is best self-propelled wheelchair to practice on a flat, smooth surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the chair could slide over if not mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can reduce some of the pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is also helpful to know that well-meaning but untrained people often attempt to push someone in the wheelchair against their will, therefore the transit wheelchair vs self propelled user must ensure that their attendant handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.