1.3. Tilting (balancing on the rear wheels)
For greater safety, this operation must be performed by an
attendant. The attendant should be aware of the required
physical effort and use appropriate positioning in order to
relieve the strain on his/her back (keep a straight back and
bend your knees during this operation).
To tilt the wheelchair, the attendant must firmly grab the
handles making sure both are properly fixed. Warn the
occupant in the wheelchair before tilting it and remind him
/ her to lean backwards and make sure that both feet and
hands of the user are clear of the wheels.
Place a foot on the footstep tube and apply downward
pressure until the chair reaches the equilibrium point. At this
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stage, the assistant will feel a difference in weight distribution,
which usually occurs at approximately 30°. At this point, the
wheelchair can get over the obstacle easily.
Finally, the attendant slowly and gradually lowers the front
down to the ground, while firmly holding the handles.
Warning :
- Be aware of detachable parts such as armrests or legrests :
they must NEVER be used as lifting supports as they may be
inadvertently released, resulting in possible injury to the user
and / or attendant.
- Do not lower the wheelchair suddenly, even if it is several
centimetres from the ground, as this may result in injury of
the user.
1.4. Tilting, Kerbs
To get on the pavement :
- Method 1 (figure 10)
The attendant positions the wheelchair in front of the
pavement facing forward. Attendant tilts the wheelchair
backwards until the castors reach the pavement; attendant
pushes the wheelchair forward until the rear wheels are
against the kerb and again pushes the wheelchair until the
rear wheels climb over the kerb.
- Method 2 (figure 11)
In this case, the attendant stays on the pavement and
tilts the wheelchair in a backwards position with the rear
wheels against the kerb. The attendant tilts the wheelchair
backwards until it is balanced and pulls the wheelchair with a
steady movement until the rear wheels climb over the kerb ;
then he / she lowers the castors, while making sure that the
chair is far enough on the pavement so that the castors do
not fall into empty space.
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