Beach wheelchair booking form (Compass)

This user guide contains information about safety, handling and beach access information for the Water Wheels beach wheelchair, available free for hire and must be prebooked through Compass (Caloundra).

Compass is committed to ensuring the Water Wheels beach wheelchair is kept in good working order. Persons who use the wheelchair have a responsibility to ensure they take all reasonable steps to avoid an accident by operating it in a safe and careful manner.

People who use the wheelchair do so at their own risk and Compass and the Sunshine Coast Council cannot be held liable for any incident which occurs while it is in the charge of a third party.

It is the responsibility of the carer/user to ensure they have read and understood the following safety and handling information before use.

For further information please contact Compass administration office on (07) 5438 2627.

1. Do not use the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair during severe weather, dangerous and/or rough ocean currents and any other poor conditions
2. Do not attempt to cross rocky/uneven surfaces while the wheelchair is occupied
3. The WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair weighs approximately 27kg and will need to be transported in a large vehicle, station wagon or SUV
4. Practice safe manual handling when lifting the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair in and out of the vehicle
5. Do not use any of the detachable components for any purpose other than what is intended and do not use detachable components for lifting the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair
6. Maximum weight of the intended user is 136kg
7. Beach use, inspect the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair for the following:
   • tyre condition: check tyre pressure and conditions of all tyres. Maximum tyre pressure: 7 psi (48.2 kpa)
   • armrest condition: check armrests for any punctures. If armrests need to be inflated, do not exceed an armrest thickness of 17.78cm (7 inches)
   • frame condition: check that the chair frame and all connecting rods are in great condition. Rods should not be best or rusted.
8. The user must be buckled up in the wheelchair and escorted to the water by a carer/support person
9. The carer/support person must remain with the user in the wheelchair at all times
10. User should wear a lifejacket while in the water
11. The carer/support person (since these wheelchairs are not self-propelled) needs to gauge for themselves the ease with which they can push their charge from the starting point to the firm sand and water
12. It will always be advisable for two people to assist with the Waterwheels™ beach wheelchair if the person using the chair is over 60kg
13. The Waterwheels™ beach wheelchair seat has three positions; one to transition the user and two reclining positions. These are adjusted by pulling a chain on the back for use and floating
14. Extreme caution if recommended when taking the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair into the water and not venturing out any further than axel depth
15. The carer must check with the volunteer lifesavers on duty on the beach to see if it is safe to enter the water. If conditions are not safe then the Waterwheels™ beach wheelchair should only be used at the water's edge within the flagged area.

1.  The WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair is specifically designed for use on sand and soft soil. To prevent damage its use on paved footpaths, roads and other hard surfaces should be minimal
2. After use the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair must be returned to the area where it was first obtained, at least in the same condition as when it was loaned out. If any item (eg pin, buckle or protective cover) is missing or defective, this should be indicated on the sign-on sheet when signing the wheelchair out. Users will be liable for any damage or loss of the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair or life jackets, or any components thereof
3. Please ensure the WaterWheels™ beach wheelchair is washed thoroughly after each use to prevent damage from sand, dirt and salt, and as a courtesy to the next user. This can be done at the beach showers.

1. Be aware: due to winds and tidal variations, beach suitability may vary from day to day. Check on beach conditions with the lifesaver on dut
2. Always swim/enter the water between the red and yellow flags.
3. Bookings are essential. Loan of the Waterwheels™ beach wheelchair and life jackets should be arranged in advance with The Compass Institute Inc.
4. Please ensure you return the wheelchair and life jackets to the collection point on the appointed date and time.