How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair

Wheelchairs offer independence and mobility for people with limited walking abilities. It is essential to master the use of your wheelchair, and have a doctor/occupational therapy help you with this.

Many people move their wheelchairs by using a method known as "wheelies". This requires the user to have large hands to extend these rims, and have strong grip strength to propel them forward.

Seating Position

As the name implies self-propelled wheelchairs allows you to move yourself and not rely on others. For many, this is the key to regaining or maintaining their independence. It also lowers the risk of injury for the wheelchair user as well as those around them.

It is important that the chair seating position is comfortable for the wheelchair user. To achieve this, there are many ways to go about it. First, make sure the footplates are in the right position. Release the footrest catch, then swing them around until they are on the 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. The footrests can put the pressure on the seat bone and cause discomfort and pain in the event that they are too high.

A forehead strap can help keep the user upright in their wheelchair, particularly if they have weakness of the neck muscles. These can be adapted by a mobility expert and are compatible on wheelchairs that do not include headrests.

It is important that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are placed in a good position so that the user of the wheelchair does not hit them with their arms when they move. For this purpose, it is best to choose a wheelchair with removable or swing away armrests. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to a more comfortable height.

A well-fitting wheelchair cushion is crucial, especially if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers can occur when the skin rubs against the surface of the wheelchair. In some cases, the skin can be irritated and rough due to sitting in the same position for long periods of time. It can cause blisters. To reduce the chances of developing pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be repositioned regularly.

Pushing

Self propelled wheelchairs allow users to move on their own and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are a lot easier to maneuver than other wheelchairs because they have larger rear wheels and pushing handles that are fitted to them. They can travel across a variety of surfaces, without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck.

Be cautious not to grip your chair handle too tightly when you move forward. Overly pressure can cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you are able to apply. It may also be beneficial to use a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip materials built into the palms. This will improve the positioning of your hands and increase the force you apply.

It is essential to keep the front casters free of any debris like rocks and sticks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it may make it difficult to move in the manner you would from your wheelchair and can result in the loss of control and/or potential injury. If mymobilityscooters -to-floor distance is very high, you might want to consider adding some additional padding to the front casters.

It is recommended that a caregiver pushes the wheelchair to help you go up a curb or a small step. If you wish to attempt this on your own, further training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. It is important to position the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or with small steps and set the front tires close to the edge.

It is important to leave plenty of space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will stop you from running into other people. If you don't have a clear space ahead of you, you'll accelerate quickly and might collide with other people. You can prevent this from happening by being aware of the people around you while on an upslope. Also, have an adult or caregiver available to catch you if you begin to fall from your wheelchair.

Braking

A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a specific manner to ensure that the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when you are on a slope since it is possible for the centre of gravity to shift forward when the braking action is not applied in a controlled manner.

Always make sure that your hand is in the right position when you push the wheelchair. Ideally you should position it at 10 hours (10:00) on the wheel. Release the hand around 2 o’clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body's weight is on the rear wheels and allows for the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps maintain the integrity of shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint.


To turn right in a wheelchair, move forward on the right rim, then pull back on the left hand rim. This will cause the wheelchair to turn left and allows you to sit in your chair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping in the reverse direction.

Always consult the user guide provided with your wheelchair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair is able to traverse. In some instances, the wheelchair may have to be temporarily dismounted and operated by hand to negotiate steep slopes. If this happens, it is recommended to seek the assistance of an individual or a relative and follow the instructions in the User Guide.

It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the amount of pressure needed on the rear and front tyres, which will allow you to traverse the kerb at a greater speed. Many manual wheelchairs feature a kerb-climber option that can assist in this process. It increases the ability of the wheelchair to climb by around 10cm (4")

To stop a wheelchair, gently release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will then come to a stop which allows you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids, and then safely get out of the chair.

Steering

When using a self-propelled wheelchair the user is responsible for controlling and steering. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and any accessories such as armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters, for example will determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will be able to handle. Small casters allow a chair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters can let wheelchairs to travel on rough surfaces, but they isn't as fast.

On smooth, level surfaces, the wheelchair user should push the wheels with both hands to keep momentum. This is accomplished by grabbing the rims of the hand and pushing with a uniform hand. Hands should not be tucked tightly around the hand rims as this can cause injuries and lead to over-corrections as the chair turns around. It is also advised that the wheelchair user experiment with leaning back and forward to different levels in order to find an optimum balance between lean and control.

The wheelchair user should anticipate obstacles and prepare for terrain that is more challenging. It is important that the user of the wheelchair looks over both shoulders regularly to avoid hitting objects or other people, and in the event that they are traveling with an adult, they should make sure that they are able to help when required. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on the slope, it should be driven or assisted by a caregiver until the user is familiar in this.

To turn the wheelchair, the user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other forwards. It is recommended to practice on a flat, smooth surface before moving onto any other surface. The motion can be uncomfortable and the wheelchair may tip over if it is not properly mastered. The wheelchair's power wheels can ease the pressure on the user and also make turning easier. It is important to be aware that strangers who are not trained are often able to push a wheelchair user against their will. The user of the wheelchair should cover the handles or fold them back.