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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence to people with limitations in walking. It is essential to know how to maneuver your chair and to have a doctor/occupational therapist help teach you how to use it. self propelled wheelchair with elevated leg rest are a common method for moving in a wheelchair. This requires the client to have hands large enough to span these rims and have strong grip strength to propel forward. Seating Position As the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move around and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many to regaining their independence, or keeping it. It also reduces the risk of injury to the person who is using the wheelchair as well as those who are around them. The person using the wheelchair must be comfortable in the chair. To ensure this, there are many ways to go about it. First, the footplates need to be placed in the proper position. Lift the latch for the footrests and move the footrests to place them directly in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates. It is possible to lower the height of the footrest especially if the person is hemiplegic. If the footrests aren't high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the bones of the seat and cause discomfort and pain. A strap for the forehead can help keep the wheelchair user upright especially if they suffer from neck muscles that are weak. 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 essential to ensure they are in the proper position and that the wheelchair user is able to propel without hitting them with their arms as they move. It is best to choose the wheelchair with swing-away or movable armrests for this purpose. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to a more comfortable height. A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is essential, particularly if a wheelchair user is at risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the wheelchair surfaces. In certain instances skin irritation and blisters can occur when being in one position for a long period of time. Repositioning the wheelchair regularly will reduce the risk of developing pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to move themselves independently and without the need of someone 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 having to worry about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or small steps. Be careful not to grip the chair handle too tightly as you move forward. A lot of pressure can cause your hands get cramped and limit the amount of force you can use. You could also consider using wheelchair gloves or handrim covers with grip material on the palms. This will improve the posture of your hands and increase the force you use. It is important to keep the front casters free of debris such as sticks and rocks. This can make it difficult to move your wheelchair as you think. It could cause an increase in control or injury. If you have a high seat to floor height, it could be useful to get some extra padding for the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you go up a curb or an easy step. If you wish to attempt this on your own, additional training and practice is required under the supervision of a healthcare professional. It is crucial to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) facing the curb or with small steps and set the front tires close to the edge. When you're pushing up a hill, it is essential to have a clear space ahead of you to ensure that you don't get in the way of other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you will gain speed very quickly and may collide with other people. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on an upslope. Also, you should have someone with you to assist you in case you begin to fall from your wheelchair. Braking To ensure that the wheelchair is secure, the user must operate the braking and steering actions in a particular way. This is especially important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the chair's center of gravity to move forward when the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner. Always make sure that your hand is in the proper position when pushing a wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand at 2 o'clock (2:00). This ensures that the majority of the body weight is over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, most effortless push. It also helps maintain the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints. To turn left with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn right and allows you to remain seated in your wheelchair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars which prevent the chair from tipping forwards. Always read the user's guide included with your wheelchair to confirm the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In some situations, the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to conquer steep slopes. If this is the case, it is recommended to seek assistance from an individual or a relative and follow the instructions in the User Guide. It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating kerbstones. This will minimize the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to traverse the kerb at a greater speed. The kerb climber feature on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4”). To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick to the side to de-clutch the motor and then release it gently brakes. The wheelchair will come to a halt and allow you to take off the footrests, put in walking aids and safely leave the chair. Steering The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in different ways depending on the wheelchair's structure and any add-ons like armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of a wheelchair's front casters can determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move more quickly, but it can be difficult on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters will allow wheelchairs to move 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. This is accomplished by grabbing the hand rims and pushing them evenly with each hand. The hands should not be encased around the hand rims, as this can cause injury and can result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair makes a turn. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning backwards and forwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean. For more difficult or challenging terrain, the wheelchair user should prepare for obstacles and plan ahead. The user of the wheelchair should be aware of their shoulders and avoid running into objects or people. If they are traveling with a caregiver, they must be ready to help when required. If the wheelchair is to be used on the slope, it should be assisted or driven by a caregiver until the user has gained experience in this. To turn the wheelchair, the user has to pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the opposite rim back. The wheelchair user must practice this on smooth, level ground before trying it on other surfaces because the movement could be uncomfortable and the chair might easily slide over if the technique isn't mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will reduce some of the pressure off the user, making turning much easier. It is essential to be aware that strangers who are not trained are often able to force wheelchair users against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them back.