Ki Mobility Ethos User Instruction Manual & Warranty
I. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing an Ethos wheelchair!
Please do not use this wheelchair without first reading this entire manual. BEFORE
riding, you should be trained in the safe use of this chair by an Assistive Technology
Practitioner (ATP) or clinical professional.
If you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of this wheelchair, this manual,
or the service provided by us or your retail supplier, please do not hesitate to contact
us by telephone :
II. TABLE OF CONTENTS
La Versión en Español comienza en la página 32
I. INTRODUCTION
II. TABLE OF CONTENTS
III. NOTICE - READ BEFORE USE
A. Your Safety and Stability ..................................................................... 3
IV. WARNINGS
A. Signal Words....................................................................................... 3
B. General Warnings................................................................................ 4
C. Positioning Belts or Harnesses............................................................ 5
D. Riding Your Wheelchair ....................................................................... 5
E. Power Drives....................................................................................... 6
F. Ascending Stairs ................................................................................. 6
G. Descending Stairs............................................................................... 7
H. Transfers............................................................................................. 7
I. Your Wheelchair and the Environment................................................. 7
J. Modifying your Wheelchair .................................................................. 8
K. Wheelchair Stability............................................................................. 8
L. Aftermarket Seating ............................................................................ 9
V. SET UP & USE OF YOUR WHEELCHAIR
A. Your Ethos & It’s Parts ........................................................................ 10
B. Transit Use.......................................................................................... 11
C. Height Adjustable T-Arm ..................................................................... 14
D. Swing Away Armrests ......................................................................... 15
E. Rear Wheels........................................................................................ 16
F. Optional Dynamic Footplate ................................................................ 16
G. Optional Dynamic Footplate ................................................................ 17
H. Optional Angle Adjustable Footplate.................................................... 17
I. Wheel Locks ....................................................................................... 18
J. Anti-Tips ............................................................................................. 19
K. Upholstery Fabric................................................................................ 21
L. Calf Strap Mount................................................................................. 21
M. Backrest ............................................................................................. 22
N. Changing Elastomers .......................................................................... 23
O. Setting Toe to Zero ............................................................................. 26
P. Cushion Installation ............................................................................. 27
VI. MAINTENANCE
A. Inspecting Your Wheelchair................................................................. 28
B. Routine Maintenance .......................................................................... 29
C. Cleaning.............................................................................................. 30
D. Storage ............................................................................................... 30
VII. WARRANTY ............................................................................... 31
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III. NOTICE - READ BEFORE USE
A. Your Safety and Stability
Ki Mobility manufactures many different wheelchairs that might meet your needs. You should consult
an Assistive Technology Professional when selecting which model would best meet your particular
requirements and how the wheelchair should be set up and adjusted. Final selection of the type of
wheelchair, options and adjustments rests solely with you and your medical professional. The
options you choose and the set-up and adjustment of the wheelchair have a direct impact on its
stability. Factors to consider that affect your safety and stability are:
a. Your personal abilities and capabilities including strength, balance and coordination.
b. The types of hazards and obstacles you might encounter during your day.
c. The specific dimensions, options and set up. In particular, the seat height, seat depth, seat
angle, back angle, size and position of the rear wheels and size and position of the front
casters.
IV. WARNINGS
A. Signal Words
Within this manual you will find what are referred to as “Signal” words. These words are used to
identify and convey the severity of varying hazards. Before using this chair you, and each person
who may assist you, should read this entire manual. Please note the Signal word and consider any
warnings, cautions or dangers. Make sure to follow all instructions and use your chair safely. The
Signal word refers to a hazard or unsafe practice that may cause severe injury or death to you or to
other persons. The “Warnings” are in two main categories, as follows:
WARNING – Warning indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could
result in serious injury or death.
CAUTION – Caution indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result
in injury or damage to your wheelchair.
These signal words will be placed throughout the manual, where appropriate to highlight the
hazardous situation. Refer to the following list for hazardous situations that will apply to the general
use of this wheelchair.
WARNING: Failure to comply with all of the instructions in this manual or using the wheelchair in
a manner not stated in this manual could result in serious injury or death.
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IV. WARNINGS
B. General Warnings
WARNING: Do not exceed weight limit of chair:
Standard
Ethos 275 lbs (125 kg)
Limits refer to combined weight in pounds of user and all items carried. Exceeding weight limit
may damage your chair or may increase your risk of falling or tipping over. A tip-over or fall could
result in serious injury or death.
• Do not use chair for weight training. The movement of the additional weight alters the chair’s
center of gravity increasing your risk of tipping over. A tip-over could result in damage to your
chair or in serious injury or death.
• Keep tires inflated to correct tire pressure. Using a chair without properly inflated tires may
affect its stability, increasing your risk of tipping over. A tip-over could result in damage to your
chair or in serious injury or death to you or others. Correct tire pressure is indicated on the
side wall of the tire. Your wheelchair provider can determine if your tires are inflatable if you
are unsure.
• Underinflated tires may cause your wheel locks to not function properly. Failure of the wheel
locks to hold your chair may result in a loss of control or fall. This can result in serious injury or
death.
• Avoid ramps or slopes inclined more than 9 degrees. Steep slopes increase your risk of falling
or tipping over. A tip-over or fall could result in damage to your chair or in serious injury or
death to you or others. Do not use chair on ramps or slopes tilted more than 9 degrees
(about 2 inches rise/drop per linear-foot): neither up/down nor across.
• Avoid inclined surfaces slick or coated with ice, oil or water. Slippery inclines could result in
falling or tipping over. A tip-over or fall could result in damage to your chair or in serious injury
or death.
• Avoid leaning over the side or back of your wheelchair to extend your reach. Leaning over
chair could change its center of gravity and cause an unstable situation resulting in a fall or
tip-over. A tip-over or fall could result in damage to your chair or in serious injury or death.
• Do not lift wheelchair by its removable parts while occupied. Lifting a wheelchair by
removable parts - e.g. armrests or footrests - while occupied could cause user to fall or lose
control. A fall or loss of control could result in damage to your chair or in serious injury or
death.
CAUTION: Avoid overtightening bolts and hardware that attach components to the frame. Overtightening could cause damage to the chair; affecting its durability and performance.
NOTE: If you are unsure how to properly tighten bolts or hardware, consult your authorized
supplier.
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IV. WARNINGS
C. Positioning Belts or Harnesses
WARNING: Never leave a user who cannot maintain their own seated posture unattended when
using positioning belts or harnesses. The user may slide down and become entangled in the belt
or harness which may result in severe injury or death.
Positioning belts are designed to assist with proper positioning within the wheelchair. They are not
designed as seat belts. Use positioning belts ONLY to help support the user’s posture. Misuse of
positioning belts may result in severe injury or death.
• Ensure the user does not slide underneath the positioning belt in the wheelchair seat. If this
occurs, the user’s breathing may be hampered causing death or serious injury.
• The positioning belt should have a snug fit; tight enough to hold their position, but not so tight as
to restrict breathing. You should be able to slide your hand between the positioning belt and the
user.
• NEVER Use Positioning Belts:
a. As a restraint. A restraint requires a doctor’s order.
b. On a user who is unconscious.
c. As an occupant restraint in a motor vehicle. A positioning belt is not designed to replace a seat
belt that is attached to the frame of a vehicle, which would be required of an effective seat
belt. During a sudden stop, with the force of the stop, the user would be thrown forward.
Wheelchair seat belts will not prevent this, and further injury may result from the belts or straps.
See Transit Use (V. Set Up & Use of Your Wheelchair - Section B).
D. Riding Your Wheelchair
Your chair is designed for use on solid, flat surfaces such as concrete, asphalt and flooring. Use
caution if you push your wheelchair on a wet or slick surface.
WARNING: Avoid pushing or using your chair in sand, loose soil or over rough terrain. Use over
such surfaces could cause a loss of stability and result in a fall or loss of control. A fall or loss of
control could result in damage to your chair or in serious injury or death.
• Avoid using your wheelchair on a public road. Use of a wheelchair on a public road could
result in serious injury or death. Wheelchairs are not legal for use on public roads in most
states. If you find you must use a chair on a public road, be alert to the danger of motor
vehicles.
• Avoid obstacles and road hazards. Obstacles and hazards - e.g. potholes, broken pavement
- could cause a fall, tip-over or loss of control. A fall, tip-over, or loss of control could result in
damage to your chair or in serious injury or death.
• Do not ride your wheelchair on an escalator. Use of a wheelchair on an escalator could cause
a fall, tip-over or loss of control. A fall, tip-over or loss of control could result in damage to
your chair or in severe injury or death.
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IV. WARNINGS
D. Riding Your Wheelchair (Continued)
To minimize these risks:
1. Keep a lookout for danger-scan the area well ahead of your chair as you ride.
2. Make sure the floor areas where you live and work are level and free of obstacles.
3. Remove or cover threshold strips between rooms.
4. Install a ramp at entry or exit doors. Make sure there is not a drop off at the bottom of the
ramp.
5. To Help Adjust Your Center of Balance:
a. Lean your upper body FORWARD slightly as you go UP over an obstacle.
b. Press your upper body BACKWARD as you go DOWN from a higher to a lower
level.
6. If your chair has anti-tip tubes, lock them in place before you go UP over an obstacle.
7. Keep both of your hands on the handrims as you go over an obstacle.
8. Never push or pull on an object (such as furniture or a doorjamb) to propel your chair.
9. Do not operate your wheelchair on roads, streets or highways other than marked cross
walks.
10. Do not attempt to push over obstacles without assistance.
E. Power Drives
WARNING: Do not attach unapproved external power drive systems to your chair. Use of an
unapproved external power drive system could result in mechanical failure of the chair or cause
a fall, tip-over or loss of control. A fall, tip-over or loss of control could result in damage to your
chair or in severe injury or death.
Ki Mobility does not recommend the installation of power drive systems on any Ethos wheelchair.
Ethos wheelchairs have not been designed or tested as power wheelchairs. If you add a power drive
system to an Ethos wheelchair, be sure the manufacturer of the power drive system has validated
and approved the combination of the power drive system and Ethos wheelchair as safe and
effective.
F. Ascending Stairs
NOTE: Have at least two people, who have sufficient strength and skill to handle the weight of
the user and wheelchair, assist when trying to go up a set of stairs in this wheelchair.
• Move the wheelchair and user backwards up the stairs.
• Position one person behind the user, one person in front. The person in front must hold onto
a non-removable part of the wheelchair.
• The rear attendant tilts the chair back and they both lift together. Take one step at a time.
• This may require the anti-tips be flipped up or removed. Make sure the anti-tips are
reattached or flipped back down before using the wheelchair.
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IV. WARNINGS
G. Descending Stairs
NOTE: When descending a set of stairs the user should be facing forward.
• A person behind the user, who has sufficient strength and skill to handle the weight of the
user and the wheelchair, should tilt the chair backward and let the chair down the stairs one
step at a time on the rear wheels.
• This may require the anti-tips be flipped up or removed. Make sure the anti-tips are
reattached or flipped back down before using the wheelchair.
H. Transfers
WARNING: Be trained and assured that you can transfer on your own or have a person assist
you. It is dangerous to transfer on your own. It requires good balance and agility. Be aware there
is a point during every transfer when the wheelchair seat is not below you. Failure to perform a
transfer properly can result in a fall that could result in severe injury or death.
A transfer requires good balance and stability. You should receive training from your therapist before
attempting to do a transfer on your own.
NOTE: Before transferring out of your wheelchair every caution should be taken to reduce the
gap between the two surfaces.
• Engage the wheel locks to lock the rear wheels.
• Rotate the casters forward to increase the wheelbase of the wheelchair.
• Remove or swing away the footrests.
• Have someone assist you unless you are well experienced in transfers.
I. Your Wheelchair and the Environment
CAUTION: Exposure to water or excessive moisture may cause the metal in the wheelchair to
rust or corrode and the fabric to tear. Dry your chair as soon as possible if exposed to water.
• DO NOT USE YOUR WHEELCHAIR IN A SHOWER, POOL OR BODY OF WATER. This will
cause your wheelchair to rust or corrode and eventually fail.
• Do not operate your wheelchair in sand. Sand can get into the wheel bearings and moving
parts. This will cause damage and eventually will cause the wheelchair to fail.
• Make sure any ramp, slope or curb cut you may attempt to ride on is compliant with ADA
guidelines. Riding across, up or down any slope that is too great may cause a loss of stability.
ADA Guidelines and more information about accessible design are available at: http://www.ada.gov/
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IV. WARNINGS
J. Modifying your Wheelchair
CAUTION: Your wheelchair was engineered and manufactured under strict design controls. An
integral part of this process is ensuring the various components work together correctly; they
have been tested to various standards to ensure quality and are approved to work together.
NO ONE SHOULD MODIFY THIS WHEELCHAIR EXCEPT BY ADJUSTING IT ACCORDING TO
THIS MANUAL OR BY ADDING KI MOBILITY APPROVED OPTIONS. THERE ARE NO
APPROVED OPTIONS THAT INVOLVE DRILLING OR CUTTING THE FRAME BY ANYONE
OTHER THAN A TRAINED KI MOBILITY ASSOCIATE. Contact Ki Mobility or an authorized Ki
Mobility supplier before adding any accessories or components not provided by Ki Mobility.
K. Wheelchair Stability
WARNING: Assure chair is stable throughout the range of tilt angle change before using. This
chair is equipped with a system to vary the tilt angle of the seat frame. Make sure the chair is
stable throughout the range of tilt angle change to avoid instability and a possible tip-over. A tipover could result in damage to your chair or in serious injury or death.
NOTE: Wheelchair set up should be done only by a qualified technician.
• During set up, include any accessories you use daily.
• Chair should be readjusted with changes in your weight or how you sit.
• Use anti-tips while you acclimate to changes in your chair set up.
To ensure proper stability of your wheelchair, you must make sure the center of gravity and the
wheelchairs base of support is correct for your balance and abilities. Many factors can affect these
two elements:
• Seat height • Size and position of rear wheels
• Seat depth
• Back angle
• Seat angle
Generally, the most important factor is the position of the rear wheels for rearward stability. There are
other actions than can have an adverse effect on your stability. You should consult with your
wheelchair provider and clinicians familiar with your needs and capabilities in determining how this
affects your use.
• Size and position of front casters
• Any seating system components
WARNING: Take care when shifting your weight in your chair, adding weight to your chair or
making changes to your chair. Changes to your Center of Gravity could change and affect the
stability of your chair, which could result in a tip-over or a fall. A tip-over or fall could result in
damage to your chair or in serious injury or death to you or to others. Changes to your Center of
Gravity during your daily activities - such as dressing, carrying or reaching for objects, pushing
up an incline - may occur many times a day. You should be aware of these activities and take
precautions to minimize the risk of a fall, such as the use of anti-tips.
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IV. WARNINGS
K. Wheelchair Stability (Continued)
WARNING: Attempting a wheelie to get over a curb or obstacle is a hazardous maneuver. Do not
attempt a wheelie unless you have been trained. This maneuever could lead to a fall. A fall could
result in serious injury or death.
Some strategies to minimize your risk of falling
• Ensure anti-tips are in place and lean forward.
• Have an attendant behind you to provide assistance.
L. Aftermarket Seating
WARNING: The installation of a cushion on a wheelchair could affect the center of gravity of the
wheelchair. Changes in your center of gravity may affect your stability in your wheelchair,
resulting in tipping over or falling from your wheelchair which may result in serious injury. Always
review the instructions for use of your wheelchair to see if changes to the wheelchair may be
needed to provide sufficient stability after adding a cushion.
• The integrity of your skin can be affected by many aspects of your daily life and medical
condition, including the use of this product. Be sure to follow any skin care regimens
established by your clinician. Consumers of this product should make sure their skin is
inspected routinely for changes as directed by their clinician. Failure to do so could result in
serious injury or death.
Selecting the Proper Seating Product
Ki Mobility recommends that you consult with a licensed clinician (i.e. Physician or therapist) trained
in wheelchair seating and positioning before selecting any seating and positioning product. This will
help ensure you receive the right product for your specific needs.
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