subject: Tips On Operating A Power Wheelchair [print this page] In the past disabled people could only really get around quickly and efficiently with the help of someone else. However, nowadays they are able to increase their mobility and independence by the use of a power wheelchair. When you are looking to get one of these you will certainly need to know how to use it properly. As such consider these tips on doing so.
It is important that you sit in the correct fashion in the wheelchair. You should take advantage of all of the supports that are inbuilt and make sure you sit upright with your feet position on the front pedals. Try to adjust any of the features on the wheelchair until you are comfortable sitting in it for long periods of time.
You need to understand how the wheelchair rotates. As such, it is important for you to practice pushing one will forward and the other wheel back at the same time as this will rotate the wheelchair on its axis. Practice this on both sides so that you're comfortable turning.
Make sure that you prevent getting pinched by keeping your hands and your knees well tucked into the wheelchair, especially when you are passing through narrow spaces such as doors, past walls, and down corridors.
Practice makes perfect. It is very important that you practice as much as you can, particularly when negotiating tight corners and turns. Find a couple of places within your home where you can practice these more difficult manoeuvres and then try them over and over again until you get the hang of them and a comfortable with them.
Get a feel for how the wheelchair is going to handle when you get it outside. Using your wheelchair outside is going to be completely different from using it inside of the home. Inside it is all about tight spaces and sharp corners. Outside it is more about straight lines, but you need to focus on avoiding various different hazards that may lie in your path.
