Medline K3 Guardian Wheelchair with Nylon Upholstery

Guidelines:

Safety & handling of wheelchairs

Center of gravity, balance and stability

This Medline wheelchair has been designed to be safe and stable during normal transport activity as long as proper balance is maintained. The point at which a wheelchair will tip forward, backward, or to the side depends on its center of balance. To assure stability and proper operation of the wheelchair, the center of gravity must be maintained in the chair. Center of gravity is the point at which all the weight of an object can be considered to be concentrated and represents the balance point.

Most activities such as transferring in and out of the wheelchair, bending, and reaching affect the center of gravity and weight distribution of the wheelchair. Addition of accessories such as a backpack will also re-distribute weight. Loss of proper balance may cause the chair to tip over. Use of the seat belt is advised to help maintain stability by minimizing movement within the wheelchair seat. The use of anti-tip devices, especially when maneuvering on ramps or inclines, will also enhance safety.

To assure safe operation of the wheelchair, ALL of the Warnings and Instructions in this manual must be followed. Failure to do so may result in tipping the wheelchair over or causing the user to fall which may result in serious bodily injury or damage to the wheelchair.

Some basic wheelchair safety guidelines follow. The guidelines are critical for standard wheelchair use; however, the principles also hold true for transport chairs. If any of the following activities are required while using the wheelchairs, these guidelines must be followed to ensure safety and to avoid potential injury to the user or the transporter and to avoid damage to the chair.