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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs offer mobility and independence to people with limitations in their walking. mymobilityscooters is crucial to learn how to use your wheelchair and have an occupational therapist or doctor help you with this. Many people move their wheelchair using a technique known as “wheelies”. This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to span these rims and good grip strength to propel them forward. Seating Position As the name suggests, a self propelled wheelchair allows you to move around and not rely on others. This is the primary factor that helps many to regaining their independence or retaining it. It also reduces the risk of injury for the person who is using the wheelchair as well as the people who are around them. It is important that the seat position is comfortable for wheelchair users. To achieve this, there are several options you can take. First, the footplates must be in the correct place. Release the footrest catch and swing them to ensure they are in front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair's feet are seated comfortably on the footplates. The footrest's height could require lowering, especially for users who are hemiplegic (one side of the body is more affected than the other). If the footrests are not high enough, they can cause increased pressure on the seat bones and increase pain and discomfort. A forehead strap can be used to help keep the wheelchair user upright particularly for those with weakness of the neck muscles. These can be fitted to wheelchairs that do not have headrests by a specialist in mobility. It is crucial that if the chair has armrests, they are in a good position so that the user of the wheelchair doesn't hit them with their arms when they move. It is best to choose an armrest that is swing-away or movable armrests to accomplish this. You can also attach foam inserts to the back of armrests in order to raise them to an appropriate height. A cushion that is well-fitted for a wheelchair is important, especially for those who are at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers occur when the skin rubs against surfaces of the wheelchair. In some cases, the skin can be irritated and rough due to sitting in the same position for a long period of time. This may also cause blisters. Repositioning the chair regularly can reduce the chance of developing pressure ulcers. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs permit users to maneuver themselves and eliminate the need for another person to push them. They are more maneuverable because they are equipped with larger rear wheels and push handles. This lets them travel across a variety of surfaces without having to worry about tripping or getting stuck on obstacles such as curbs or steps that are small. When you are moving forward on your chair, make sure not to hold the handle too tightly. Too much pressure could cause your hands to cramp and reduce how much force you can use. It may also be beneficial to wear a handrim protector or wheelchair gloves that have grip materials built into the palms. This will improve the hand's position and increase the force you can apply. It is essential to keep the front casters free of any debris, such as sticks and rocks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move in the manner you would expect from your wheelchair and could result in a loss of control and/or potential injury. If the seat-to-floor distance is very high, you may want to consider adding some extra padding on the front casters. It is recommended that a caregiver push the wheelchair to assist you go up a curb or just a tiny step. If you wish to attempt this on your own, additional training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. It is essential to place the wheelchair perpendicularly (directly) towards the curb or small steps and position the front tires just before the edge. It is important to leave enough space in the space in front of you when moving up an uphill. This will keep you from crashing into other people. You'll speed up 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 the people around you when you are on a slope and have a carer or friend ready to catch you in the event you begin to fall from your wheelchair. Braking A self propelled wheelchair requires the user to perform the braking and controlling actions in a certain way to ensure the chair is safe to use. This is especially important when on a slope as it is possible for the center of gravity to shift forward if the braking action is not performed in a controlled manner. When pushing a wheelchair, make sure that the hand is in the right position, ideally at ten o'clock (10:00) on the wheel and released at two clock (2:00). This will ensure that the majority (or weight) of the body is over the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps maintain the strength of the elbow, shoulder and wrist joints. To turn right in a wheelchair to turn left, push forward on the right-hand rim, then pull the left-hand rim back. This will turn the wheelchair to the right and allow you to remain seated. Wheelchairs can also be equipped with anti-tip bars to stop the chair from tipping in the reverse direction. Always refer to the user guide included with your chair to determine the safest slope your chair can traverse. In some instances the wheelchair may need to be temporarily dismounted and operated manually to overcome steep slopes. If this is the case, it is recommended to seek assistance from a friend or relative and follow the procedure outlined in the User Guide. When traversing kerb stones, it is recommended to remove and mount your vehicle using ramps whenever possible. This reduces the pressure on the back and front tyres allowing you to travel faster over the kerb. Many manual wheelchairs come with a kerb-climber option which can aid in this process. It boosts the ability of the wheelchair to climb by about 10cm (4”) To stop a wheelchair, move the joystick towards you to loosen the clutch on the motor and then gently release the brakes. The wheelchair will then come to a stop and allow you to take off the footrests, prepare walking aids, and then safely leave the chair. Steering When using a self-propelled wheelchair, the user is responsible for steering and controlling. This can be accomplished in different ways depending on the wheelchair's structure and any accessories such as armrests or phone or drink holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as size and weight. The size of the front casters, for example, can decide the type of terrain that a wheelchair will handle. Small casters permit wheelchairs to move faster but struggle on rough surfaces like cobblestone or grass. Large casters permit wheelchairs to glide over these rough surfaces but the chair will not be as swift. The wheelchair user should use both hands on smooth, flat surfaces to maintain momentum. This can be done by gripping the handrims while pushing them with both hands. The hands should not be encased around the rims of the hand as this could cause injuries and could lead to over-corrections (fish-tailing) when the chair turns a corner. It is recommended that wheelchair users experiment with different degrees of leaning forwards and backwards to find the best balance between control and lean. For more difficult or challenging terrain wheelchair users should plan ahead and anticipate obstacles. The wheelchair user must look over both shoulders to avoid hitting objects or other people. If they are travelling with a caregiver, they must be ready to help when they need to. If the wheelchair will be used on a steep slope, a caregiver must assist or drive it until the user is comfortable. To turn the wheelchair, the user needs to pull one hand rim forward while pushing the opposite rim back. The user of the wheelchair must practice this on smooth and level ground prior to attempting it on a different surface as the movement may be uncomfortable and the chair may easily slide over if the technique is not properly mastered. If the wheelchair has power wheels, this will relieve some pressure off the user and make turning easier. It is also beneficial to know that even well-meaning but untrained strangers often try to push a person who is in a wheelchair against their will, so the user of the wheelchair should make sure that their handle handles fold down or cover them with handles covers.