ICON A1 Owner's Manual - page 13
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7. BEWARE OF:
a. Wet or slippery surfaces.
b. A change in grade on a slope, or a bump, a depression, or a lip. Any of those
may cause a fall or tip-over.
c. A drop-off at the bottom of a slope. Just ¾ of an inch can stop your front
caster and cause the chair to tip forward.
8. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A FALL OR TIP-OVER:
a. Lean or press your body UPHILL. This will help adjust for the change in the
centre of balance caused by the slope or side hill.
b. Keep pressure on the hand rims to control your speed on the down slope. IF
YOU GO TOO FAST YOU MAY LOSE CONTROL.
c. Ask for help any time you are in doubt.
9. Ramps at home and work must meet all legal requirements for your area. Some
ramp recommendations include:
a. Width should be at least 4 feet wide.
b. Install guardrails to reduce the risk of a fall. Alternately, raise the borders
at least 3 inches.
c. Slope not more than 10% grade.
d. Surface should be flat and even, with a thin carpet or non-skid material.
Make sure there are no lips, bumps or depressions.
e. Brace your ramp if there is any chance that it isn't sturdy or will bow.
f. Avoid a drop off. Use a section at the top and bottom to smooth out any
transition.
Failure to heed these warnings could result in damage to your chair, injury to yourself, a
fall, a tip-over and/or loss of control, causing severe injury to yourself or others.
Transfer
WARNING: It is dangerous to transfer on your own. It requires good balance and agility.
Be aware that there is a point during every transfer when the wheelchair seat is not below
you.
TO AVOID A FALL
1. Work with your health care advisor to learn safe methods.