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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to people with limitations in walking. It is important to learn how to maneuver your chair and to get a therapist or occupational therapist to guide you in this area. Wheelies are a very popular method to move a wheelchair. This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to span 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 it is the only way to recovering or maintaining their independence. It also reduces the chance of injury for both the wheelchair user as well as those who are around them. The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable in the chair. There are several things to do to make sure this is the case. First, the footplates must be placed in the proper position. Release the footrest catch and then swing them around until they are on the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates. It may be necessary to lower the height of the footrest, especially if the user is hemiplegic. The footrests may increase the pressure on the bone of the seat and cause pain and discomfort when they are too high. A strap for the forehead can help the wheelchair user stay upright, especially if the neck muscles are weak. They can be adapted to wheelchairs with no headrests by a mobility expert. It is essential that if the wheelchair has armrests, they are in a good position to ensure that the wheelchair user 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. You can also add foam inserts to the back of armrests to raise them up to the desired height. A cushion that is well-fitted for a wheelchair is crucial, especially when a person who uses a wheelchair is at high risk for skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against wheelchair surfaces. In some instances the skin may be irritated and rough because of sitting in a single position for long periods of time. This may also cause blisters. To minimize the risk of pressure ulcers, the chair should be rotated frequently. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to move themselves independently and without the need of someone to push them. They are more maneuverable due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. They can travel across many surfaces without worrying about tripping over obstacles or getting stuck. Be cautious not to hold your chair handle too tightly as you move forward. If you apply too much pressure, it could cause your hands to become cramped and reduce the force you can apply. You might also find it useful to wear a handrim cover or wheelchair gloves with grip material that is built into the palms. This will help improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply. It is essential to keep the front casters clear of debris such as rocks and sticks. If the casters are encased with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and can result in an uncontrolled movement and/or injury. If you have a high seat to floor height, it could be beneficial to put some additional padding for the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to help you climb a steep hill or a small step. If you'd like to accomplish this yourself, you'll require more instruction and practice under the supervision of an expert in health care. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) in front of the curb or with small steps and set the front tires just before the edge. It is essential to leave enough space in the front of you when going up an uphill. This will keep you from running into other people. You will gain speed quickly when you don't have enough space in front of you. You may also collide with someone else. To help you avoid this, try to be aware of those around you when you are on a slope and have a friend or carer waiting to catch you in case you start to fall from your wheelchair. Braking A self-propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and guiding actions in a particular way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is particularly crucial when the chair is placed on a slope as the center of gravity could move forward if braking is not done in a controlled manner. When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that the hand is in the right position, usually at ten hours (10:00) on the wheel and releasing near two clock (2:00). This ensures that the bulk of the body weight is over the rear wheels, allowing for the smoothest, easiest push. It also helps to maintain the integrity of the shoulder the elbow, wrist and wrist joint. To turn right with a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This will cause the wheelchair to turn right and will allow you to remain in your chair. Wheelchairs are also equipped with anti-tip bars that prevent the wheelchair from tipping over forwards. Always refer to the user guide that comes with your chair to determine the maximum safe slope that your chair can traverse. In some cases the wheelchair might need to be removed temporarily and operated with a hand to negotiate steep slopes. In this situation, it is recommended that you seek out a friend or family member to help and follow the instructions in the User Guide. When negotiating kerb stones it is recommended that you remove and mount your vehicle using ramps whenever possible. This will reduce the pressure on the back and front tyres and allow you to go faster over the kerb. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can also assist with this process by increasing the ability of the wheelchair by approximately 10cm (4”). To stop a wheelchair, push the joystick inward towards you to release the motor, and then release it gently brakes. The wheelchair will come to a halt which allows you to remove the footrests, put in walking aids and leave the chair. Steering self propelled wheelchairs is the one responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this, dependent on the structure of the wheelchair and accessories like armrests or phone/drink holders. Wheelchairs come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The size of the front casters, for instance will determine the kind of terrain that a wheelchair will handle. Small casters allow a wheelchair to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters can let wheelchairs to move over rough surfaces, but they isn't as fast. The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth flat surfaces to keep momentum. You can do this by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them with both hands. The hands shouldn't be wrapped around the rims of the hand, as this can cause injury and can result in over-corrections (fish-tailing) as the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users play with different degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the ideal balance between control and lean. For more difficult or difficult terrain, the wheelchair user should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The user of the wheelchair should look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or people. If they are traveling with a caregiver they should be ready to assist if they need to. If the wheelchair is to be used on the slope, it should be driven or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar in this. To turn the wheelchair, the user must pull one hand rim inwards while pushing the other rim back. It is best to practice on a smooth, flat surface prior to moving onto other surface. The motion could be uncomfortable, and the chair could slide over if not mastered. If the wheelchair is equipped with power wheels, this will relieve some pressure off the user and make turning much easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers can try to push a person in wheelchair against their will, so the user of a wheelchair should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with covers for the handles.