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How to Use a Self Propelled Wheelchair Wheelchairs allow mobility and independence for people with limitations in their walking. It is essential to know how to maneuver your chair and to have a doctor/occupational therapist help teach you how to use it. Wheelies are a popular technique for moving a wheelchair. This requires the user to have hands that are large enough to extend these rims, and have strong grip strength to propel them forward. Seating Position As the name implies self-propelled wheelchairs lets you move your body 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 the person who is using the wheelchair as well as those who are around them. The user of the wheelchair should be comfortable in the chair. To achieve this, there are several things you can do. First, the footplates must be placed in the proper position. Release the footrest catch and swing them to ensure they are at the front of the chair. Make sure that the wheelchair user's feet are placed comfortably on the footplates. It is possible to lower the footrest height, especially if the user is hemiplegic. If the footrests are not high enough, they can put pressure on the seat bones and cause pain and discomfort. A forehead strap can be used to help keep the wheelchair user upright especially if they suffer from weak neck muscles. These can be fitted by a mobility specialist and are compatible on wheelchairs that do not have headrests. It is important that if the wheelchair has armrests that they are placed in an appropriate position to ensure that the wheelchair user does not strike them with their arms when they move. To achieve this it is recommended to use wheelchairs with removable or swing away armrests. You can also attach 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 for those who are at a high risk of skin breakdown or pressure sores. Pressure ulcers are caused when the skin rubs against the surfaces of the wheelchair. In certain instances the skin may become dry and irritated from sitting in the same position for a prolonged period of time. This can also cause blisters. To reduce the chances of pressure ulcers, the wheelchair should be repositioned regularly. Pushing Self-propelled wheelchairs allow users to maneuver themselves and eliminate the need for someone else to push them. They are much easier to maneuver due to their larger rear wheels and push handles. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, without having to worry about slipping over obstacles or getting stuck. When you are moving forward with your chair, take care not to hold the handle too tightly. Applying too much pressure can cause your hands to cramp and decrease the amount of force you can apply. You might also find it helpful to use a handrim cover or a wheelchair glove with grip materials built into the palms. This will improve your hand position and increase the amount of force you can apply. Keep the front casters clear of any debris, like rocks or sticks. If the casters have been covered with this kind of material, it could make it difficult to move as you would expect from your wheelchair and can lead to the loss of control and/or injury. If you have a very high seat-to-floor height, it could be beneficial to purchase extra padding on the front casters. When going up a curb or small step it is recommended you use a caregiver to push the wheelchair assistance. If you are planning to do this independently, more training and practice is needed under the supervision of a health professional. When you do this, it is important that you position the wheelchair directly in front of (perpendicular to) the curb or small step and then place the front wheels near the curb's edge. It is crucial to have enough space in front of you when pushing up an uphill. This will stop you from crashing into other people. If you don't have enough space ahead of you, you'll gain speed very quickly and may hit other people. To help you avoid this, try to be aware of the people in the vicinity when you are on a slope. Also, have a friend or carer ready to catch you in the event 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 way. This is especially important when the chair is on an inclined slope, since the centre of gravity can move forward if brakes are not performed in a controlled manner. When pushing a wheelchair always make sure that your hand is in the correct position, with the ideal being at 10 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 placed over the rear wheels, and make it easier to push. It also helps maintain the integrity of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints. To turn right with a wheelchair, push forward on the right-hand side of the rim and pull the left-hand rim back. This causes the wheelchair to turn left and allow you to remain seated in your chair. Wheelchairs can also be fitted with anti-tip bars that prevent them from tipping backwards. Always consult the user guide that comes with your wheelchair to determine the safest slope your chair can traverse. In some instances the wheelchair might need to be dismounted temporarily and operated by hand to overcome steep slopes. If this is the case, it is recommended to seek the assistance of a friend or relative and follow the steps outlined in the User Guide. It is recommended to use ramps while negotiating kerbstones. This will reduce the amount of pressure needed on the front and rear tyres, allowing you to traverse the kerb with greater speed. The kerb climber option on many manual wheelchairs can also aid in this process by enhancing the ability of the wheelchair by about 10cm (4”). To stop a wheel chair, gently release the brakes and push the joystick towards you. This will break the clutch on the motor. The wheelchair will come to a halt, enabling you to remove the footrests, prepare walking aids and exit the chair. Steering The user is responsible for steering and controlling the wheelchair. This can be done in different ways depending on the structure of the chair and any add-ons like armrests or drink/phone holders. Wheelchairs differ in their structure as well as in size and weight. The size of the front casters on a wheelchair will determine the terrain it can handle. Small casters enable wheelchairs to move faster, but they struggle on rough surfaces such as grass or cobblestone. Large casters let a wheelchair travel over rough surfaces, but it will not be as swift. On smooth and level surfaces the wheelchair user should push the wheels using both hands to maintain momentum. You can do this by gripping the rims of the hand and pushing them with both hands. Hands should not be wrapped tightly around the hand rims because this could cause injuries and result in over-corrections when the chair makes in a circle. It is recommended that the wheelchair user test leaning forward and backward to different extents in order to find an optimal balance between lean and control. For more difficult or challenging terrain, the wheelchair user should be prepared and anticipate obstacles. It is important that the user of the wheelchair look over their shoulders frequently to avoid hitting objects or other people, and if they are travelling with a caregiver, they must make sure that they are prepared to help when needed. If the wheelchair is intended to be used on an inclined slope, it must be driven or assisted by an adult until the user is familiar with 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 wheelchair may tip over if it is not properly mastered. what is self propelled wheelchair of the wheelchair can ease the burden on the user and also make turning easier. It is also beneficial to be aware that good-hearted but untrained people often attempt to push a person in the wheelchair against their will, so the wheelchair user must ensure that their handle folds down or cover them with covers for the handles.