INSPECTION – CHECKING PRODUCT

1. Check the retractors by pulling out webbing to ensure they are locking properly.
2. Check to ensure webbing is not cut, frayed, damaged or contaminated.
3. Check that metal parts are not worn, broken or cracked.
4. Check that all mounting hardware is secure, i.e. such as bolts and nuts.
5. Check floor anchorages to ensure cleanliness of dirt and debris.
6. Check shoulder belt anchorages.
7. Check lap and shoulder belt webbing to ensure it is not cut or frayed.  If it is, do not use and replace immediately.
8. Check lap and shoulder belt webbing for oil or chemical contamination.
9. Check buckles for damage and to ensure they are working properly.
10. System parts that are in question must be reported, replaced and/or repaired prior to departure.
11. After completing your inspection, return the individual securement system to their individual wall storage. (NOTE: one wall storage pouch for each wheelchair and
occupant securement)

Next module will become available on video completion.

OCCUPANT & WHEELCHAIR ETIQUETTE

People with disabilities are individuals with families, jobs, hobbies, likes and dislikes. While the disability is a vital part of who they are, it alone does not define them. Treat everybody as individuals.

Some points to keep in mind:
• Ask before you help: Just because someone has a disability, don’t assume they need help.
• Be sensitive about physical contact: Avoid patting a person on the head or touching their wheelchair. People with special needs consider their equipment part of their personal space.
• Speak directly to the person that has special needs. Do not speak to their companion or assistant.
• Avoid outdated terms, i.e. wheelchair bound, handicapped, etc.
• When transferring an individual out of their wheelchair, leave the wheelchair within their reach.

 

Next module will become available on video completion.

You have completed your modules!  Begin Quiz

INSPECTION AND INVENTORY

Recommending to Inspect your securement system to avoid delays.
Each wheelchair position should have the following:
-Four retractors with floor anchorage fittings to secure into the floor
-One lap belt assembly
-One shoulder belt assembly (or lap/shoulder belt combination)
-Two webbing loops (optional)
-One belt cutter (optional)
-Wall storage pouch for wheelchair and occupant restraint system

Next module will become available on video completion.

FLOOR ANCHOR FITTINGS & HOW TO USE

Selecting your floor anchor fittings that are in your vehicle

  • L-Track (aluminum rails or L-track floor pockets)
    • While holding retractor, line up 4-stud fittings (L-track fitting) with the opening on the floor L-track, press down and slide into L-track until it’s secure. Shake the retractor to ensure it is secure in the track.
    • To remove, simply lift-up the lever on the fitting body, slide and lift from the track.

 

  • Smart Fitting
    • Hold retractor with the SMART fitting over the SMART anchorage installed on the floor and slide in until it locks. Shake the retractor to check if secure in SMART fitting.
    • Place retractors in wall storage to prevent tripping hazard and preventative wear and tear.

Next module will become available on video completion.

OTHER OCCUPANTS SECUREMENTS AVAILABLE

Other securements available -Solutions for special situations you may have in your vehicles.

  • WC 18 Solution for School Buses – This wheelchair kit prepares & also compliant  for WC19 wheelchairs that might appear on board
  • Variety of different Occupants depending on the application.
    • Adjusters – Retractable Height Adjusters, Manual Height Adjusters
    •  L-track fittings on top or bottom or where needed
    • Special brackets designed to avoid obstructions
  • You have a special scenario in your vehicle contact AMF-Bruns

ARRIVING AT DESTINATION

  1. When you arrive your destination/drop-off location, reverse the process of unrecurring the passenger and wheelchair.
    2. Confirm the wheel locks are in the locked position.
    3. Remove the shoulder belt. Be careful with the loose ends of the belt, that you do not hit your passenger or another individual.
    4. Remove the lap belt by pressing the red release button to separate the two sections and remove them individually and place them to the side.
    5. Remove the four tie-downs securing the chair. Press and hold the red release lever on each retractor with hand or foot. Disconnect the hooks (J-hooks, Carabiner, Buckle and Tab) from the wheelchair frame and fully retract the belts into the retractor housing.
    6. Remove any of the retractors that are obstructions/tripping hazards or will block a clear path disembarkation of the wheelchair. Unlock the wheel locks and transport the wheelchair to the exit.
    7. Inspect all your securement components and return them to the wall pouches. You are preparing your equipment for your next passenger.

Next module will become available on video completion.

SECURING THE WHEELCHAIR

1. After the wheelchair is boarded on your vehicle, position it in the wheelchair
station facing straightforward.
2. Center passenger and wheelchair in a rectangle that is formed by the four anchor points on the floor.
3. Once in place, lock the wheel locks and turn off power on electric chairs.
4. Find appropriate attachment points on the chair. They must be on a rigid frame member and near the level of the seat, if possible.
5. Once you have located a good solid frame member, mark the location for future reference for wheelchairs that you transport daily. To mark location, ask wheelchair passenger for permission.
6. Include this information on route sheets or instructions so other drivers are aware of the securement point indicators.
7. Attach the four retractors to the anchorage points.
8. There are times the retractors may be placed in the floor anchorages prior to positioning the wheelchair in the securement location.
9. L-Track in vehicle – In the four floor track anchorage system, the front retractors are normally attached to the two outside tracks. This makes them wider than the wheelchair and assists in stabilizing the chair.
10. Front view of the wheelchair tie-down angles. The dimension is 300 mm/ 12”, which is for reference only.
11. The two front tie-downs should be attached to a solid frame member that is close to the level of the seat.
12. Pull the belts from each front retractor and place the securement hooks (J-hook, Carabiner, Buckle and Tab) on the selected attachment points on the wheelchair.
13. The two front tie-downs when attached to their anchorages should have a belt angle of 40-60°

14. The two rear tie-downs, when using the four track system, are normally attached to the two inside tracks, or more narrow then the rear wheels of the chair.
15. The two rear tie-down belts should be attached to a solid frame member that is close to the level of the seat.
16. Pull the webbing from each rear retractor and place the securement hooks on the selected attachment points on the wheelchair. AMF Bruns offers J-hook, Carabiner, Buckle and Tab.

17. The angle of the rear securement belts should make a 30-40ﹾ angle with the floor.
18. For many chairs, the front attachment points may be too low to properly stabilize the chair. In these cases, the rear belts may be used for this purpose.
19. The belts must take a direct path from the wheelchair securement points to the floor anchorage. DO NOT go around or through wheels or other parts that would prevent the straight line.
20. Always recheck the anchor fittings to ensure they are securely locked into their anchorages.
21. The retractors (Silver and Platinum Series) are self-locking and self-tensioning but you can apply additional tension if needed, with tensioning of the knob.
Important: When using Black Series retractors, turn the know to apply tension.

22. On three wheeled scooters or some other electric chairs, it is recommended
that the third rear belt be used in the rear center. The webbing loop may be required for this rear attachment.
23. On a tri-wheeler securement, the two rear belts are needed to stabilize the chair and the third rear belt prevents it from moving forward.
24. The same practice is used on some large wheelchairs when the front attachment locations are too low to stabilize the device.
25. We recommend – if it’s safe — that occupants of three wheelers transfer to a regular vehicle seat.
26. Some large chairs may require four rear securements. Some states have already implemented this procedure. With our Platinum Series, you will only need two rear securements.

27. Once all securement belts have been attached, unlock the wheel locks and try to move the chair forward and backward. This movement will take up any initial belt slack. Re-lock the wheel locks.
28. The automatic self-tensioning, self-locking of Silver and Platinum Series ONLY will take up any remaining slack during the trip.
29. Now you have completed the following:
o Retractors are properly secured to floor anchorages
o The wheelchair is now secured with the retractors

Next module will become available on video completion.

 

OCCUPANT SECUREMENTS

1. Physical Contact: Securing a passenger will require some slight physical contact with the person. Always communicate! Let them know what you plan to do and ask them to assist you if they are able and willing to do so.
2. Manual Lap and Shoulder Belt: The regular lap and shoulder belt system is very easy and straight-forward to use. Begin by attaching the shoulder belt to the wall anchorage. It is already attached. You will note the shoulder belt has Velcro on the ends to prevent it from dangling.
3. Adjustable Shoulder Belt Anchorage: if you have an adjustable shoulder belt anchorage, the belt attachment point must always be slightly higher than the passenger’s shoulder and at least even with the rear tie-downs.
4. Lap Belt: The lap belt may be installed as one piece by attaching the buckle, or it may be installed as two pieces. Use the method that is easiest for you. It will depend on the passenger and the type of chair.
5. Thread the lap belt around the passenger and through the chair openings between the seat back and bottom, or between the seat back and the arm rests.

Warning – The lap belt must never pass over around arm rests or side panels that will prevent the belt from lying directly on the body of the passenger.

6. Place the female lap belt section with the release button on the aisle side of
the passenger.
7. The lap belt must bear on the bony structure of the body and worn as low as possible across the front of the pelvis.
8. After the two sections (male and female end) of the lap belt have been properly threaded around the passenger, attach the ends to the male tongue connector
on top of the two rear retractors.
9. Bring the shoulder belt over the center of the shoulder of the passenger and attach the tongue connector on the male portion of the lap belt.
10. The lap and shoulder belt should be positioned by the passenger’s hip — similar to your own driver’s seat lap and shoulder belt.

11. Adjust the lap belt by pulling on the loose ends until it is comfortable and snug around the passenger’s waist.
12. Adjust the shoulder belt, leaving a gap of about two fingers between the passenger’s chest and the belt.
13. Shoulder belts across the face/neck of passenger: On some permanent shoulder belt anchorages, the shoulder belt comes across the face or neck of the passenger. You may solve the
problem by adjusting the wheelchair forward or backward or slightly side-to-side. It may be necessary to have the anchorage point modified to prevent this situation.
14. Notify your supervisor if a problem exists or contact AMF-Bruns for a solution.
15. If you have a passenger with a tracheotomy, the shoulder belt may interfere and place pressure on the devise.
16. If you are a school bus operator, contact your Special Needs Department and have the IEP [Individualized Education Program] team to provide solutions. If you are transporting adults who can make their own decisions, follow their requests.
17. Ensure documentation is completed for special scenarios. Don’t take it upon yourself to decide the safety of the passenger by not using a portion of the system.

Next module will become available on video completion.

PROTEKTOR SERIES-Platinum & Silver Series

Platinum Series & Silver Series

1. The retractors are automatic, self-tensioning and self-locking.
2. The webbing wound around the spool is spring-loaded. The benefit is that any wheelchair movement — while vehicle is in motion – will be systematically adjusted through these automatic features. Turn the knob for extra tension when required.
3. The lap belt male connector on the top of each retractor is for connection of the lap belt or lap/shoulder belt depending on the type occupant restraint system you are using.
4. The red large release lever on the retractor may be depressed with either your hand or sturdy enough for foot release.
5. The J-hook, Carabiner hook, Buckle and Tab must be attached to a solid frame member of the wheelchair.
6. Some wheelchairs with the “Transit Option” have defined anchorage points built into the wheelchair. Use these anchorage points when these securements points & logo are present.

If you have the Black Series Retractor, this is a manual retractor.  Very important – You must use the knobs to apply tension and secure the wheelchair. This is not a self-tensioning retractor like the Silver Series or Platinum Series.
Next module will become available on video completion.

FLOOR ANCHOR FITTINGS

Think about what of anchorages you have in your vehicle? L-track Aluminum rails, or L-track pocket, or Smart Fitting?

Smart Fitting Floor Anchorage

L-Track Floor Anchorage Pocket

L-Track Aluminum Floor Rail

Next module will become available on video completion.