Freerider FR168W - Manual (Page 3)

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RULES FOR SAFE USE WEIGHT LIMITATIONS
Your power chair is rated for a maximum weight capacity. Please refer to the specifications table for
this limit. Keep in mind that the maximum weight capacity includes the combined weight of the user
and any accessories mounted to the power chair.
MANDATORY! Stay within the specified weight capacity of your power chair. Exceeding the
weight capacity voids your warranty. Freerider will not be held responsible for injuries and/or property
damage resulting from failure to observe weight limitations.
WARNING! Do not carry passengers on your power chair. Carrying passengers on your power
chair may affect the center of gravity, resulting in a tip or a fall.
INCLINE INFORMATION
More and more buildings have ramps with specified degrees of inclination, designed for easy and safe
access. Some ramps may have turning switchbacks (180-degree turns) that require you to have good
cornering skills on your power chair.
1. Proceed with extreme caution as you approach the downgrade of a ramp or other cline.
2. Take wide swings with your power chair’s front wheels around any tight corners. If you do that,
the power chair’s rear wheels will follow a wide arc, not cut the corner short, and not bump into or
get hung up on any railing corners.
3. When driving down a ramp, keep the power chair’s speed adjustment, set to the slowest speed
setting to ensure a safely controlled descent.
4. Avoid sudden stops and starts.
When climbing an incline, try to keep your power chair moving. If you must stop, start up again slowly
and then accelerate cautiously. When driving down an incline, set your power chair to the slowest
speed setting and drive in the forward direction only. If your power chair starts to move down the
incline faster than you anticipated or desired, allow it to come to a complete stop by releasing the
joystick, then push the joystick forward slightly to ensure a safely controlled descent.
WARNING! When on any sort of an incline , never place the power chair in freewheel mode
while seated on it or standing next to it.
WARNING! When climbing an incline, do not zigzag or drive at an angle up the face of the
incline. Drive your power chair straight up the incline. This greatly reduces the possibility of a tip or a
fall. Always exercise extreme caution when negotiating an incline.
WARNING! You should not travel up or down a potentially hazardous incline (i.e., areas covered
with snow, ice, cut grass, or wet leaves).
WARNING! Never travel down an incline backward. Doing so may cause the power chair to tip.
Always exercise caution when negotiating an incline.
WARNING! If your power chair is equipped with a reclining seatback, do not attempt to
negotiate inclines with the seat in a reclined position. Do not attempt to negotiate obstacles with the
seat in a reclined position unless an attendant is present to help stabilize the chair. Failure to heed
could result in the power chair tipping over.
RULES OF SAFE USE
MANDATORY! Do not operate your new power chair for the first time without completely
reading and understanding this user’s instruction manual.
Your power chair is a state-of-the-art life-enhancement device designed to increase mobility. Freerider
provides an extensive variety of products to best fit the individual needs of the power chair user.
Please be aware that the final selection and purchasing decision regarding the type of power chair to
be used is the responsibility of the power chair user, who is capable of making such a decision, and
his/her healthcare professional (i.e., medical doctor, physical therapist, etc.).
The contents of this manual are based on the expectation that a mobility device expert has properly
married the power chair to the user and has assisted the prescribing healthcare professional and/or
the Authorized Freerider Agent in the instruction process for the use of the product.
There are certain situations, including some medical conditions, where the power chair user will need
to practice operating the power chair in the presence of a trained attendant. A trained attendant can
be defined as a family member or care professional specially trained in assisting a power chair user in
various daily living activities.
As you begin using your power chair during daily activities, you will probably encounter situations in
which you will need some practice. Simply take your time and you will soon be in full and confident
control as you maneuver through doorways, on and off of elevators, up and down ramps, and over
moderate terrain.
Below are some precautions, tips, and other safety considerations that will help you become
accustomed to operating your power chair safely.
MODIFICATIONS
Your power chair has been designed and engineered to provide maximum mobility and utility. A wide
range of accessories is available from Freerider to further customize your power chair to better suit
your needs and/or preferences. However, under no circumstances should you modify, add, remove, or
disable any feature, part, or function of your power chair.
WARNING! Do not modify your power chair in any way not authorized by Freerider. Do not use
accessories if they have not been tested or approved for Freerider products.
PRE-RIDER SAFETY CHECK
Get to know the feel of your power chair and its capabilities. Freerider recommends that you perform
a safety check before each use to make sure your power chair operates smoothly and safely.
Perform the following inspections prior to using your power chair:
1. Check all electrical connections. Make sure they are tight and not corroded.
2. Check all controller connections to the power base. Make sure they are secured properly.
3. Check the brakes. See “Care and Maintenance”
4. Check battery charge. See “Batteries and Charging”
NOTE: If you discover a problem, contact your Authorized Freerider Agent for assistance.