Structure And Usage of Wheelchairs
Ordinary wheelchairs are generally composed of four parts: wheelchair frame, wheelchair wheels, brake device and seat. The following is a brief description of the main components and how to use the wheelchair.
A. The components of the wheelchair
a. The big wheels carry the main weight. The diameters of the wheels are 51, 56, 61, and 66 cm. The wheels has two types: solid wheels and pneumatic wheels;
b. There are several types of small wheels with diameters of 12, 15, 18, and 20 cm. Small wheels with large diameters are easy to cross small obstacles and special carpets. Generally speaking, the small wheel is in front of the big wheel. For wheelchairs for paraplegics, the small wheels are often placed behind the large wheels. It should be noted that the direction of the small wheel should be perpendicular to the big wheel, otherwise it is easy to fall.
c. The hand wheel is unique to wheelchairs, and its diameter is generally 5cm smaller than that of the large wheel. When the hemiplegia is driven with one hand, another one with a smaller diameter is added for selection, and the hand wheel is generally directly pushed by the patient.
d. There are three types of tires: solid, pneumatic inner tube and tubeless pneumatic. The solid tire walks faster on flat ground and is not easy to explode, and is easy to push, but it vibrates greatly on uneven roads, and it is not easy to pull out when it is stuck in the groove with the same width as the tire; it is more difficult to push with an inflatable inner tube, but the vibration is smaller than the solid tires ;The tubeless inflatable tire will not be punctured because of the tubeless tube, and the inside is also inflated, so it is comfortable to sit up, but it is more difficult to push than the solid tire.
e. The large brake wheels should have brakes on each wheel. If the hemiplegic can only use one hand, it is best to use one hand to brake, and an extension rod can be installed to control the brakes on both sides.
B. Expanding and folding the wheelchair
Unfolding: hold the handlebars with both hands and pull lightly to both sides to separate the left and right frames slightly, then gently press down on both sides of the seat cushion to the positioning position, and the wheelchair will unfold and lay flat on its own. When unfolding, do not forcibly pull the left and right frames, so as not to damage the components. When pressing down on the seat cushion, do not hold your fingers on the left and right support tubes to avoid pinching your fingers.
Folding: Flip up the left and right pedals first, grasp the two ends of the cushion with both hands and lift it up to fold it.
Folding of the toilet wheelchair: first remove the toilet and seat cushion, and then fold it.
C. Control during wheelchair driving
a. In the process of driving, in case of obstacles, the nursing staff should hold the handlebar gloves with both hands and step on the pedal cover with their feet to lift the front wheel over the obstacle. When the rear wheel encounters an obstacle, hold the handlebar gloves tightly with both hands , lift the rear wheels upwards to cross obstacles.
b. In the process of driving, if there are large obstacles or steps, two people need to hold the large frames on both sides of the wheelchair and lift the wheelchair over the obstacle.
c. When going downhill, you must go backwards. Hold the push ring with both hands to control the downhill speed. When the slope is too steep, you need to be controlled by a nurse. The nurse should go backwards and go downhill slowly. Uphill is normal implementation.
