Symmetrikit Low, Medium, Large, SA2825, SA2820 Instruction Manual

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Patents Pending

Symmetrikit

CHAIR

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

Low, Medium and Large models

from January 2014

Symmetrikit is a division of The Helping Hand Company

Bromyard Road, Ledbury HEREFORDSHIRE HR8 1NS, UK

Tel: [phone] Fax [phone]

Email: [e-mail] www.helpinghand.co.uk

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Introduction

3

Guarantee
Cautions

4

Safety Instructions

5

Adjustments -
Operational

6

Special Positions

12

Growth 14

Swing Out Arms 15

Care Instructions 16

Accessories

17

Notes 23

In order for the user to be well supported it is essential
that the seating system be adjusted properly to fit. The
following guide will explain how to simply adjust the chair
and give tips on correct settings.

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INTRODUCTION

Your Symmetrikit chair has been designed specifically for the use of those
who require maximum support in order to maintain their comfort and posture.
Great care has been taken to ensure that your chair is simple to use and easy
to maintain.
Should you have any questions about positioning, please contact your
therapist.

Your chair is the most versatile chair available and has many

adjustments including:

♦ Arms which can be independently adjusted in height. They can also be tilted,

swivelled in and out and moved in and out.

♦ Fold down arms for access.

♦ The seat width and seat length can be altered.

♦ Adjustable back height with Kyphotic adjustment.

♦ Adjustable recline.

♦ Adjustable headrest .

♦ Adjustable leg rest.

♦ Adjustable footrest height and angle.

♦ True Tilt in Space. (The chair can be tilted back or forward without altering

ankle/knee/hip/back angles).

♦ Your chair can be used flat for side lying, prone, and supine positions.
Combined with the tilt in space, ‘Head Down’ positions can be used for
postural drainage.

♦ Covers can be removed for machine washing or wiped clean in situ.

♦ Seat Cushion can be easily removed for cleaning.

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GUARANTEE

The above chair, including upholstery and covers, is guaranteed against faulty materials
and faulty workmanship for a period of TWELVE MONTHS from the date of manufacture.

The guarantee is valid for fair wear and tear only. It is not valid in cases of misuse, or
uses other than those specified in the Manufacturer's
Instruction Manual. We do not guarantee fabrics against shrinkage so please pay careful
attention to washing instructions.

Should spare covers be ordered subsequent to the purchase of this chair, we cannot
guarantee an exact colour match as dye strengths vary. We
reserve the right to withdraw patterns or colours from the range, but will always en­deavour to find the closest match available.

Footplate covers are not covered in the warranty.

Certain movement patterns and behaviours may accelerate fabric wear. This cannot be
covered by guarantee.

Please note :-

Wide arm settings and Neoglide wheels may cause difficulty in moving the chair through
narrow doorways.

This chair is not intended for outdoor use.

Warning
Do not allow children or pets to play with the chair at any time. Adequately
supervise children in the area near the chair.
Electric models: Always use the isolator switch when the chair is not in use.
Detach from charger before moving. The chair will not
operate with the charger plugged in. Warn visitors with children of the
potential danger of entrapment.

Safe use of your Symmetrikit Chair

These chairs are not designed for use in vehicles.
Please ensure the chairs are transported WITHOUT seated clients.

When the chair is specified for users who will rest their feet on the floor, and
do not have a foot plate, the chair must not be moved with the client sat in the
chair. Failure to follow this advice could cause injury to the client.

When selecting and issuing a piece of equipment it is the
responsibility of the Therapist to carry out a risk analysis on its use. This is particularly
pertinent for non-ambulant users who may require assisted transfers.

Model

Size

Serial No

Manufactured

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This chair is capable of passive joint movement, it should only be
used following therapeutic advice.

Seating requirements may change. The user should be regularly reassessed
to ensure that the chair is adjusted appropriately.
It is recommended that therapists and carers complete the following
checklist when assessing the appropriate use of Symmetrikit chairs.

1. Is the users posture acceptable in the chair?

2. Are there concerns about pressure and are they being addressed?

3. Is the user considered to be safe in the chair or would harnessing be
needed to keep them safe? A posture belt is recommended at all times.

4. Does the user or others around them have any behaviours which would
render the chair unsafe?

5.

Is the chair appropriate for the proposed environment?

6. When using the chair to provide different postures always check the
user’s respiratory competence.

Safety restrictions

Great care is taken in the design of this product to ensure that it complies
with all the appropriate safety legislation.
Please ensure that all staff are familiar with the following restrictions.

Incorrect use of this product can cause accidents.

Do not allow anyone to kneel or stand on the leg rest, arms or back
rest of this chair. Ensure that there is normal weight distribution in
the lying position.

The user must always be positioned within the wheel base of the
chair. A posture belt may be necessary to achieve this at all times.

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1) Seat depth.

To set the seat depth locate the handle at the rear of the seat.
The handle can be swung out to increase leverage. Wind the handle
clockwise to shorten the seat and anticlockwise to lengthen it.

When the seat depth is correct the back of the users calf should be around
the thickness of two fingers away from front of the leg rest cushion.

2) Leg rest settings

Before setting the height of the foot
rest (If fitted) it is necessary to
open the zips along both sides of
the leg rest cover. The position of
the zips is indicated here.

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Inside the zips you will find the
adjuster screws (arrowed) loosen
these with the 4mm Hex key
supplied. The footplate can now
slide to the required height.

When the height is correct all of the
underside of the user’s thigh should
be in contact with the seat cushion.
Their feet must be flat on the foot
plate and not hanging above it.

It may be necessary to adjust the angle of the footplate to get the user’s
foot fully supported. The lever to adjust the footplate is underneath the
plate and is show in red below.

To adjust the angle, hold the front
of the plate with your right hand
and reach underneath to the handle.
Pull the handle back whilst moving
the footplate to the required angle.
It is locked when the handle is
released.

Ensure the area between the
base tilt plate is clear of
obstruction before and during
operation

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3) Leg rest angle (Power)

The angle of elevation of the leg rest
can easily be altered.

On the power chair simply push the
button on the handset to raise or
lower the user’s legs. The green light
on the handset will illuminate during
operation, as shown below

Ensure the area around the leg rest
actuator shaft is clear of obstruction
before and during operation

4) Leg rest angle
(Manual)

To raise the manual leg
rest simply lift to the
required angle. To
lower it locate the
handle behind the
cushion on the left side
of the chair. Shown
here in red. Lift the leg
rest slightly whilst
pulling the lever and
then lower to the
required angle. It will
lock when the lever is
released.