General Safety Notes And Driving Limits - Zippie YOUNGSTER 3 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 85 kg for driver and
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.
• Only permanently installed seats and safety belts will offer
sufficient protection in hazardous situations.
• To avoid falls and dangerous situations, you should first
practice using your new wheelchair on level ground with
good visibility.
• This wheelchair should be used exclusively to convey one
person at a time. Any other use does not comply with the
intended purpose.
Fig. A
DANGER!
• 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.
• Depending on the diameter and setting of the castors, as
well as the centre of gravity setting of the wheelchair, the
castors may begin to wobble at high speeds. This can lead
to the castors being blocked and the wheelchair may tip
over. Therefore, please make sure that the castors are
adjusted correctly (see the Chapter "Castors").
• In particular, do not travel on an incline without brakes,
travel at a reduced speed. At higher speeds, depending on
the configuration and/or physique/physical capabilities of
the user, there may be unexpected castor wobble. This can
lead to injury of the user.
• 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. We recommend that novice
users use anti-tip tubes.
• Anti-tip tubes should prevent the chair tipping over
backwards unintentionally. Under no circumstances should
they take the place of transit wheels, and be used to
transport a person in a wheelchair with the rear wheels
removed.
• 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.
• Do not hang heavy items such as shopping bags or
backpacks, on the push handles, head rest or backrest of
the wheelchair.
• These can change the tipping point and there is a risk of
tipping backwards.
• When reaching for objects (which are in front of, to the side
or behind the wheelchair) make sure that you do not lean
too far out of the wheelchair, as if you change the centre of
gravity there is a risk of tipping or rolling over.
• Only use your wheelchair properly. For example, avoid
travelling against an obstacle without braking (step, kerb
edge) or dropping down gaps.
• 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).
• 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).
• 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 wheel locks.
• For thigh amputees you must use anti-tip tubes.
• Before setting off, check that your tyre pressure is correct.
For rear wheels it should be at least 3.5 bar (350 kPa). The
max. pressure is indicated on the tyre. The knee-lever
brakes will only work if there is sufficient tyre pressure and if
the correct setting has been made (see the Chapter on
"Wheel locks"). 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.
7
YOUNGSTER 3