Wheelchair manufacturers are constantly and consistently making improvements upon the current design and build of both manual and electric wheelchairs, but regardless of this, something that does not change is the fact that all wheelchairs still come with wheels and seat belts. This might seem like a painfully obvious observation, but you know what? In an internet World, people today are still asking this question: Should wheelchairs have seat belts?
Okay people of the internet world, lets look towards answering that question.
The constant cycle of development in both medical science and medical technology has benefited many people around the globe. So many individuals with visual impairments can see today. Similarly, people with a speaking disability can communicate with others around them. However, one classic innovation that has helped a vast number of people worldwide is the humble wheelchair. People suffering from the permanent or temporary loss of their ability to walk thankfully have access to wheelchairs to move around. In addition, people have been benefiting from the addition of both basic and more advanced seat belts to keep them safely in their chairs. Technology however is not static. Instead, over time, designers have come up with a variety of innovative features and mechanisms for both manual and electric wheelchairs. Regardless of these innovations however, one question that has continued to be debated is whether or not a seat belt should be considered among the essential components of a wheelchair? Here we shall consider the arguments on both sides of this debate.
Situations in which a wheelchair seat belt are considered necessary and recommended
Today most doctors and physiotherapists do not consider seat belts as a simple stand alone safety mechanism. Instead, they are part of a complex and sophisticated means of personal restraint. As such, not everyone needs the same seat belt design for their wheelchair. Below, we shall discuss the situations where seat belts may become necessary.
Generally, lap belts – or seat belts provide safety and adequate stability to your seating. They become more effective and necessary when a person has to continually move around. A disabled individual who regularly finds them self maneuvering in high-traffic environments will obviously benefit from the use of a well-fitted personal belt restraint on either their manual or powered wheelchair due simply to the fact that if you regularly find yourself in the hustle and bustle of having many people around you, there are going to be times when you may receive the occasional accidental nudge or bump from those around you. In such cases, the wheelchair user is much more likely to stay safe and avoid a sudden fall from their trusty wheelchair.
Similarly, more senior wheelchair users may be able to move around more freely without the presence of a constant attendant if they are using a wheelchair outfitted with proper seat belt restraints. Furthermore, people who take part in different adaptive sports while in a wheelchair will obviously benefit from the use of a properly fitted seat belt while participating. Whether one is on the court, on a racing track or even maybe out on a mountain trail, the benefits from proper retraints are self-evident.
What are the requirements to have a wheelchair outfitted with a customized seat belt?
Generally, the inclusion of customized seat belts on wheelchairs and any potential adverse effects means that there are specific requirements that a healthcare professional must follow when prescribing them to a wheelchair user.
1. In most States of the US, a healthcare provider needs to be able to present a proper medical diagnosis that would see the patient benefit from the use of any customized seat belt restraint while occupying their wheelchair.
2. The prescribing physician is also required to outline any circumstances, if applicable, when such restraints would not be considered necessary.
3. The prescribing physician is also required to inform the patient of any possibility of a potential adverse reaction or development from any prolonged usage of a personalized restraint while in a wheelchair.
Situations in which a wheelchair seat belt can be potentially harmful to the wheelchair occupant
Believe it or not, there are those circumstances when the use of a standard wheelchair seat belt can be potentially hazardous to the user. Some examples:
- The use of a standard wheelchair lap belt safety belt for prolonged periods of time can potentially cause discomfort to the upper-thigh of a user with any sensitivity in that region. In addition, the prolonged usage of an overly tightened restraint across the lap can result in redness and bruising across the thighs as a result of any regular movement or repositioning of the individual while in the chair.
- A major difference between the effects of a seat belt on an individual user in a wheelchair versus a passenger in a motor vehicle is the effect of motion on the performance of the belt. In a motor vehicle, the standard seat belt has a greater flexibility and reacts with increased restraint when a sudden increased amount of stress or tension is placed upon it, whereas the standard wheelchair seat belt has only limited flexibility (or ‘give’). While there is always the potential for injury in any motor vehicle collision from wearing a seat belt that has restrained a person during a collision, the potential for injury is also present for those using a standard wheelchair lap belt in any circumstance where the belt might cause pressure damage from restraining an individual during any serious impact or collision. That of course is a trade off of wearing a belt to reduce the potential for even greater personal injury due to impact or collision while in a wheelchair.
- The use of a seat belt while in a wheelchair for extended periods of time can also restrict the ability of the occupant to reposition effectively and can in some cases lead to an increase in discomfort in the waist or lower back. Any hindrance in repositioning can also lead to increased potential for the development of pressure sores for those sitting in a single position for any prolonged period.
- Another concern is the ability of the occupant of a wheelchair to properly release themselves from the restraint at a moments notice if the need should arise; for those with limited mobility, a securely fastened wheelchair seat belt has the potential to become a contributing factor to any injury if it prevents the occupant of a wheelchair from easily detaching the belt to avoid a hard impact or even possibly being pulled under the wheelchair in the event of the chair tipping over.
Now for some parting thoughts on the benefits – and potential disadvantages – of equipping wheelchairs with safety seat belts. As discussed, there are some obvious fundamental benefits to be gained from the judicious use of a seat belt while occupying a wheelchair, whether in a manual or powered wheelchair. However as with all things, the key factor with a seat belt is in its proper usage. That self same personal safety restraint that can protect one from potential harm could also potentially be the cause of other unintended injuries if not used prudently. The irony here is that the advantages of restraint offered by a wheelchair seat belt are also the source of potential disadvantages to the wheelchair user: restraint intended to offer increased security can also be a source of unintended personal injury if not properly adapted to the user or if the user is not properly made aware of the potential pitfalls of the reduced ability to reposition while wearing such restraints. Perhaps this could lead to further questions for a wheelchair user such as, ‘Do I have a good idea of when – and when not to use the seat belt with my wheelchair?’, or even possibly, ‘Has my seat belt been properly fitted or tailored to my needs for when I am performing my activities of daily living?’ Both are prudent questions for any wheelchair user seeking to maintain their independence and mobility.
