D. Riding Your Wheelchair
Your chair is designed for use on solid, flat surfaces such as concrete, asphalt and flooring. Use
caution if you push your wheelchair on a wet or slick surface.
WARNING: Do not push your chair in sand, loose soil or over rough terrain. This may cause
a loss of stability and result in a fall or loss of control and cause serious injury or death.
WARNING: In most states, wheelchairs are not legal for use on public roads. If you find you must
push on a public road, be alert to the danger of motor vehicles. Use of a wheelchair on a public
road can cause serious injury or death.
WARNING: Obstacles and road hazards (such as potholes and broken pavement) can damage
your chair and may cause a fall, tip-over or loss of control. Failure to comply with this instruction
could result in serious injury or death.
WARNING: Do not ride your wheelchair on an escalator. Use of a wheelchair on an escalator can
cause serious injury or death.
To minimize these risks:
1) Keep a lookout for danger - scan the area well ahead of your chair as you ride.
2) Make sure the floor areas where you live and work are level and free of obstacles.
3) Remove or cover threshold strips between rooms.
4) Install a ramp at entry or exit doors. Make sure there is not a drop off at the bottom of
the ramp.
5) To Help Correct Your Center of Balance:
a. Lean your upper body FORWARD slightly as you go UP over an obstacle.
b. Press your upper body BACKWARD as you go DOWN from a higher to a lower
level.
6) If your chair has anti-tip tubes, lock them in place before you go UP over an obstacle.
7) Keep both of your hands on the handrims as you go over an obstacle.
8) Never push or pull on an object (such as furniture or a doorjamb) to propel your chair.
9) Do not operate your wheelchair on roads, streets or highways.
10) Do not attempt to push over obstacles without assistance.
IV. WARNINGS
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