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5 top tips on how to drive your powerchair
Ben, Director at CMS, gives his 5 top tips on how to drive your powerchair. He hopes that the information will be helpful for first time users or existing users. These tips can help improve how you are using your powerchair and help you be more effective.
5 top tips on how to drive your powerchair
1. Hold your controller at the base of your joystick
Typically, most people will hold their joystick at the top with their thumb and finger, which means it’s very top-heavy. In turn, this means that every action and input you put in will be exaggerated and you will have less control of the powerchair. If you use the base of your joystick, you will have more control and move the chair more smoothly. Give it a try and see how this small tip can really make a difference.
2. Have your controller in the correct position
In most chairs, there are many adjustment options available in the armrest and controller itself. Make sure that you are not reaching for the control or that the control is too close. It is essential that you get the proper support from your wheelchair and this is through making sure it is adjusted correctly to your body. You have probably had your chair for a long time and not changed the position. It’s really important that your position is right for your posture and overall control. If you don’t think it is, get those adjustments made by a professional and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
3. Use your powered tilt when you are going down a Gradient
We recommend that you get yourself level with the gradient of the slope so that your power chair can do all the work. Once you have your powerchair in tilt, you will feel more in control, safer and more comfortable going down a decline.
4. Don't over compensate your inputs
Typically, most people will hold their joystick at the top with their thumb and finger, which means it’s very top-heavy. In turn, this means that every action and input you put in will be exaggerated and you will have less control of the powerchair. If you use the base of your joystick, you will have more control and move the chair more smoothly. Give it a try and see how this small tip can really make a difference.
5. Understand your drive base
There are three types of drive base, rear-wheel, mid-wheel and front-wheel.
- Rear-Wheel Drive – You will need to take wide turns when approaching a tight corner. Taking your time and moving slowly can help with making sure you have enough space on each side.
- Mid-Wheel Drive – As you come up to a tight corner, stay as central as possible and try and get parallel to the access point.
- Front-Wheel Drive – You will have quite a bit behind you, so you almost have a tail to consider. When getting to a tight corner, you want to be pointing directly at the opening, making sure that the rest of the chair isn’t going to hit anything.
Practice makes perfect, so the best thing to do is practice those turns, and practice those maneuvers so that you can understand how the chair operates.
LARGE WHEELS AT THE FRONT = FWD
LARGE WHEELS IN THE MIDDLE = MWD
LARGE WHEELS AT THE REAR = RWD
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Contact Clinical Mobility Solutions
We are here to help if you have any questions at all, and please don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking on the link below to fill out a contact form. We also offer seating assessments where we can examine your powerchair and make sure that it is supporting you correctly.