General Safety Notes And Driving Limits - Sunrise Medical SOPUR Helium Notice D'utilisation

1.0 General safety notes and driving limits

The engineering and construction of this wheelchair has been
designed to provide maximum safety. International safety
standards currently in force have either been fulfilled or
exceeded in parts. Nevertheless, users may put themselves at
risk by improperly using their wheelchairs. For your own safety,
the following rules must be strictly observed.
Unprofessional or erroneous changes or adjustments increase
the risk of accident. As a wheelchair user, you are also part of
the daily traffic on streets and pavements, just like anyone else.
We would like to remind you that you are therefore also subject
to any and all traffic laws.
Be careful during your first ride in this wheelchair. Get to know
your wheelchair.
Before each use, the following should be checked:
• Quick-release axles on the rear wheels
• Velcro on seats and backrests
• Tyres, tyre pressure and wheel locks.
Before changing any of the adjustments of this wheelchair, it is
important to read the corresponding section of the user's
manual.
It is possible that potholes or uneven ground could cause this
wheelchair to tip over, especially when riding uphill or downhill.
When riding forwards over a step or up an incline, the body
should be leaning forward.
DANGER!
• NEVER exceed the maximum load of 125 kg, (100kg with
handbike axle), for driver plus any items carried on the
wheelchair. Please note the weight information for lighter
weight options, which are quoted separately. If you exceed
the maximum load, this can lead to damage to the chair, or
you may fall or tip over, lose control and may lead to
serious injury of the user and other people.
• When it is dark, please wear light clothing or clothing with
reflectors, so that you can be seen more easily. Make sure
that the reflectors on the side and back of the wheelchair
are clearly visible. We would also recommend that you fit
an active light.
• To avoid falls and dangerous situations, you should first
practice using your new wheelchair on level ground with
good visibility.
Helium Rev.I
• When getting on or off the wheelchair, do not use the
footboards. These should be flipped up beforehand and
swung to the outside as far as possible. Always position
yourself as close as possible to the place where you wish
to sit.
• Only use your wheelchair properly. For example, avoid
travelling against an obstacle without braking (step, kerb
edge) or dropping down gaps.
• The wheel locks are not intended to brake your wheelchair.
They are only there to ensure that your wheelchair does
not begin rolling unintentionally. When you stop on uneven
ground, you should always use the wheel locks to prevent
such rolling. Always apply both wheel locks; otherwise,
your wheelchair could tip over.
• Explore the effects of changing the centre of gravity on the
behaviour of the wheelchair, for example on inclines,
slopes, all gradients or when overcoming obstacles. Do this
with the secure aid of a helper.
• With extreme settings (e.g. rear wheels in the most forward
position) and less than perfect posture, the wheelchair may
tip over even on a level surface.
• Lean your upper body further forward when going up
slopes and steps.
• Lean your upper body further back when going down
slopes and steps. Never try to climb and descend a slope
diagonally.
• Avoid using an escalator which may lead to serious injury
in the event of a fall.
• Do not use the wheelchair on slopes > 10°. The Dynamic
safe slope is dependent on the chair configuration, the
user#s abilities and the style of riding. As the user's abilities
and style of riding cannot be pre-determined then the max
safe slope cannot be determined. Therefore this must be
determined by the user with the assistance of an attendant
to prevent tipping. It is strongly recommended that
inexperienced users have anti-tip tubes fitted.
• It is possible that potholes or uneven ground could cause
this wheelchair to tip over, especially when riding uphill or
downhill.
• Do not use your wheelchair on muddy or icy ground. Do not
use your wheelchair where pedestrians are not allowed.
• To avoid hand injuries do not grab in between the spokes
or between the rear wheel and wheel lock when driving the
wheelchair.
• In particular when using lightweight metal handrims, fingers
will easily become hot when braking from a high speed or
on long inclines.
• Riding sideways on to a slope or incline, increases the
possibility of the wheelchair tipping over sideways.
• Only attempt stairs with the help of an attendant. There is
equipment available to help you, e.g. climbing ramps or
lifts, please use them. If there is no such equipment
available, then the wheelchair must be tipped and pushed,
never carried, over the steps (2 helpers). We recommend
that users over 100 kg in weight do not use this stairway
manoeuvre!
• In general, any anti-tip tubes fitted must be set beforehand,
so that they cannot touch the steps, as otherwise this could
lead to a serious tumble. Afterwards the anti-tip tubes must
be set back to their correct position.
• Make sure that the attendant only holds the wheelchair
using securely mounted parts (e.g. not on the footrests or
the sideguards).
• This wheelchair is not designed to be used whilst weight
training and/or when using dumbbells. Only use equipment
specifically designed for this purpose.
• Do not lift or carry the wheelchair by the backtubes or the
pushhandles.
• When using the lifting ramp make sure that the anti-tip
tubes fitted are positioned outside the danger area.
• Secure your wheelchair on uneven ground or when
transferring, e.g. into a car, by using the brakes.
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