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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs provide mobility and independence to people with limited walking ability. It is important to learn how to maneuver your chair and to get a therapist or occupational therapist to train you in this area. Wheelies are a common method to move in a wheelchair. easy self-propelled wheelchair must have big hands to be able extend the rims of the wheelchair, and grip strength to propel the wheelchair forward. Seating Position Self-propelled wheelchairs enable users to travel on their own and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many people to regain their independence, or keeping it. It also reduces the chance of injury for the wheelchair user and those who are around them. It is essential that the chair seating position is comfortable for wheelchair users. To accomplish this, there are several things you can do. First, ensure that the footplates are in the right position. Release the footrest catch and swing them round so that they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user can comfortably place their feet on the footplates, and that there is even pressure under their feet. It could be necessary to lower the footrest height, especially if the user is hemiplegic. If the footrests are too high they can put pressure on the bones of the seat and increase pain and discomfort. A forehead strap will aid the wheelchair user in staying upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. These can be adapted by a mobility expert and can be used with wheelchairs that do not have headrests. It is essential that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are in an appropriate position so that the user of the wheelchair does not strike them with their arms when they move. For this purpose it is recommended to use wheelchairs that have removable or swing away armrests. Alternatively, foam inserts can be cut and glued to the back of the armrest to elevate them to a more comfortable level. A properly-fitting cushion for a wheelchair is essential, particularly if a wheelchair user is at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. These are because pressure ulcers result from friction between the skin and the surfaces of the wheelchair. In certain instances blisters and skin irritation can develop when sitting in one position for long periods of time. To minimize the risk of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair must be repositioned frequently. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and become independent from the need for someone else to push them. They are much more maneuverable than other wheelchairs since they have bigger rear wheels and pushing handles fitted on them. This enables them to travel over a wide variety of surfaces without worrying about slipping or getting stuck on obstacles like small steps or curbs. When you are moving forward on your chair, take care not to grip the handle too hard. Overly pressure can cause your hands to get cramped and limit the amount of force you can apply. You may also find it useful to use a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip material that is built into the palms. This will help improve the position of your hands and increase the force you can use. Keep the front casters clear of debris, like sticks or rocks. If the casters are encased with this type of material, it can make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can cause a loss of control and/or injury. If the height of your seat to floor is extremely high, you may think about adding additional padding to the front casters. When climbing a curb or small step it is recommended you enlist the help of a caregiver to push the wheelchair for assistance. If you'd like to do this independently, you will need more training and practice under the supervision of medical professionals. When doing this, it is essential that you place the wheelchair directly facing (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and then place the front wheels just before the edge of the curb. When you're pushing up a hill, it is essential to have a clear area ahead of you to ensure you don't run into other people. You'll speed up quickly when you don't have enough space ahead of you. You may also collide with someone else. To avoid this make sure you are aware of people around you when you are on a slope. Also, have a friend or carer ready to catch you in the event that you begin to fall off your wheelchair. Braking To ensure that the wheelchair is secure users must perform the braking and steering actions in a certain manner. This is particularly crucial when the chair is situated on a slope, as the center of gravity can move forward if braking is not done in a controlled way. When pushing a wheelchair, ensure that your hand is in the proper position, ideally at ten clock (10:00) on the wheel, and then releasing at two 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 to maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. To turn right with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and allows you to remain seated in your chair. Wheelchairs are also available with anti-tip bars to prevent them from tipping backwards. Always refer to the user guide included with your chair to determine the safest slope your chair can traverse. In certain situations the wheelchair may need to be removed temporarily and operated with a hand to negotiate steep slopes. In this case it is recommended that you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the instructions in the User Guide. It is recommended to use ramps when you are negotiating the kerbstones. This will reduce the amount of pressure required on the front and rear tyres, which will allow you to travel over the kerb at a greater speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can assist with this process by enhancing the capacity of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4”). To stop a wheelchair simply release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will stop and you can remove the footrests or prepare walking aids prior to getting out of 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 structure and add-ons such as armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs vary in design and size, as well as weight. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it will handle. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces like grass or cobblestone. Large casters allow a wheelchair to move over rough surfaces however, the chair won't be as quick. The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them with both hands. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the hand rims since this can cause injury and cause over-corrections when the chair turns in a circle. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different levels of leaning both forwards and backwards to find the optimal balance between control and lean. The user of a wheelchair should be aware of obstacles and prepare for terrain that is more challenging. The user of the wheelchair should look over both shoulders to avoid running into objects or people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they must be prepared to assist when they need to. If the wheelchair will be placed on a slope, the caregiver should assist or drive it until the user is comfortable. To turn, the wheelchair user pulls one hand's rim back while pushing the other forwards. It is best to practice on a flat, smooth surface prior to moving onto other surface. The movement can be uncomfortable, and the wheelchair could slide over if not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this can take some of the pressure off the user and makes turning easier. It is essential to be aware that untrained people tend to push a wheelchair user against their will. The wheelchair user should cover the handles or fold them down.