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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence to those with limitations in walking. It is crucial to know how to use your wheelchair, and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this. Many people maneuver their wheelchairs by using a method known as “wheelies”. The user must have big hands in order to reach the rims and have enough grip strength to propel it forward. Seating Position Self propelled wheelchairs allow you to be able to move on your own and not depend on others. This is the most important factor for many to regaining their independence, or keeping it. It also minimises the risk of injury to the user of the wheelchair and those in the vicinity. It is important that the seating position of the chair is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To accomplish this, there are several things you can do. First, the footplates should be placed in the proper position. Release the footrest catch and swing them round so that they are on the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates. It may be necessary to lower the footrest height especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they could cause pressure on the seat bones and cause pain and discomfort. A forehead strap will help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if their neck muscles are weak. These can be fitted by a specialist in mobility and are compatible with wheelchairs that do not have headrests. If the wheelchair comes with armrests, it is crucial that they are in the right position so that the wheelchair user can move without hitting their arms as they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to the desired height. It is also important that the wheelchair has a comfortable cushion, particularly if the wheelchair user has a high chance of skin breakdown or pressure ulcers. These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surface of the wheelchair. In some instances, skin irritation and blisters may occur after sitting in one position for a long time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to move themselves and become independent from the need for another person to push them. They are a lot easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs due to the fact that they have larger rear wheels and push handles fitted on them. They can travel across various surfaces without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck. As you move forwards with your chair, make sure not to grip the handle too hard. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and reduce the amount of force you can apply. You may also find it beneficial to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip material that is built into the palms. This will help improve the position of your hands and increase the force you use. It is important to keep the front casters clear of debris such as sticks and rocks. This material could make it difficult to maneuver your wheelchair as you would think. It could cause a loss in control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is 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 curb or just a tiny step. If you'd like to do this independently, you will need more training and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. When doing this, it is essential that you position the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or take a small step and position the front wheels near the curb's edge. It is crucial to leave enough space in the front of you when going up a hill. This will prevent you from crashing into other people. You'll gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space ahead of you. You could also end up colliding with another person. To prevent this from happening make sure you are aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a caregiver or a friend waiting to catch you in the event that you begin to fall out of your wheelchair. Braking To ensure that the wheelchair is safe the user must use the braking and steering actions in a particular way. This is particularly crucial when on a slope as it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to shift forward in the event that the braking mechanism is not executed in a controlled way. Always ensure that your hand is in the right position when pushing the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 clock (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body's weight is on the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints. To turn right in 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 so that you can remain in a seated position. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars to stop the wheelchair from tipping over forwards. Always consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to confirm the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In some cases the wheelchair might need to be dismounted temporarily and operated manually to overcome steep slopes. If this is the case it is recommended 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 take off and remount your vehicle 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 on many manual wheelchairs can assist with this process by enhancing the ability of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4”). To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick towards you to loosen the clutch on the motor and then release the brakes. lightest self propelled wheelchair will then come to a halt which allows you to remove the footrests, put in walking aids, and then safely exit the chair. Steering The user is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this, depending on the wheelchair's structure and the additions like armrests, phone/drink holders or even a drink holder. Wheelchairs come in a variety sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for example can determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will be able to handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters permit wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as swift. The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This is accomplished by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing evenly with each hand. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of your hand, as this can cause injuries and lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users test with different levels of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean. The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and plan ahead for terrain that is more challenging. It is important that the wheelchair user looks over their shoulders frequently to prevent running into objects or other people, and in the event that they are traveling with a caregiver, they should ensure that they are able to assist if needed. If the wheelchair will be used on a slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable. To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the other rim back. The user of the wheelchair must practice this on smooth flat ground before attempting it on a different surface, as the motion may be uncomfortable and the chair could easily fall over if the motion is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user and makes turning a lot easier. It is also helpful to be aware that good-hearted but untrained people often attempt to push a person who is in the wheelchair against their will, therefore the user of a wheelchair should ensure that the handle folds down or cover them with handles covers.