Power Wheelchair and Rain

[PurpleKomodo]

We leave in 1 week (AHHHH!!) and my youngest (almost 3 year old) drives a power wheelchair. This is our first trip with him and we finally feel pretty prepared, but a point of anxiety currently is rain. We are traveling at the beginning of the rainy season and the current weather forecast indicates that their will probably be some rain daily. We have an umbrella for his chair and ponchos to throw over bags/equipment that hangs on the back. But, is there anything I need to know about rain the chair itself. Is driving on wet streets/in puddles going to risk damage or malfunctioning on the chair itself? We are typically a "put on a poncho and carry on" family, so I want to make sure I am good to continue that with the power chair. The last thing we need is a broken power chair when we are hundreds of miles from home.

 

[Bjkandma]

My suggestion would be to direct this question to the manufacturer of his chair. What may be accurate for one chair, might be totally wrong for another. You definitely wouldn't want a magical trip ruined by something that could have been prevented.

Hope you create many magical memories with your family!!

 

[Evita_W]

Definitely check with the manufacturer, many power chairs are fully water proof, but definitely not all.

For those that have ECVs and are wondering the same thing, the biggest thing to remember to protect is the tiller in general, but again check with the manufacturer or where you got the ECV from.

 

[SueM in MN]

Talk to your supplier/wheelchair tech and/or look in your operating manual, but in general, the most important part you need to protect from wetness is the controller/joystick. It‘s also important to keep the charging point from getting wet. My daughter’s power chair has a rubber cover over the port, but you would want to check to make sure it’s tight.
A poncho over him while sitting in the chair, covering him and his hand while on the joystick, should protect well enough. If it’s pouring, its best to get out of the rain.

The tires and drive system won’t be damaged by the rain, but traction and turning are negative impacted by wetness. It will take longer to stop and might skid.

If you are traveling by air, you should contact your wheelchair tech for suggestions on how to prepare the chair for air travel. We have never been brave enough to bring our daughter’s power wheelchair. Her current wheelchair has too many moving parts - it tilts, reclines, stands, etc.
The other thing we have always been concerned about is her stamina for driving. It takes a lot of concentration to drive for a whole day, especially in the crowded and stimulating conditions in the parks. So, you will probably want to think about how you will access when you need to take over from him and what you will do if it’s too much.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

Talk to your supplier/wheelchair tech and/or look in your operating manual, but in general, the most important part you need to protect from wetness is the controller/joystick. It‘s also important to keep the charging point from getting wet. My daughter’s power chair has a rubber cover over the port, but you would want to check to make sure it’s tight.
A poncho over him while sitting in the chair, covering him and his hand while on the joystick, should protect well enough. If it’s pouring, its best to get out of the rain.

The tires and drive system won’t be damaged by the rain, but traction and turning are negative impacted by wetness. It will take longer to stop and might skid.

If you are traveling by air, you should contact your wheelchair tech for suggestions on how to prepare the chair for air travel. We have never been brave enough to bring our daughter’s power wheelchair. Her current wheelchair has too many moving parts - it tilts, reclines, stands, etc.
The other thing we have always been concerned about is her stamina for driving. It takes a lot of concentration to drive for a whole day, especially in the crowded and stimulating conditions in the parks. So, you will probably want to think about how you will access when you need to take over from him and what you will do if it’s too much.

We are not flying. We want to go to DL next summer and that would likely mean flying., but I am still too nervous to turn his power chair over to an airline. It also lifts, tilts, reclines, etc. He does not have much stamina (or attention span) for driving, so fair point about making sure we can access the control as well in the rain.

 

[SueM in MN]

We are not flying. We want to go to DL next summer and that would likely mean flying., but I am still too nervous to turn his power chair over to an airline. It also lifts, tilts, reclines, etc. He does not have much stamina (or attention span) for driving, so fair point about making sure we can access the control as well in the rain.

What chair does he have? My daughter’s current power chair is a Permobil F5 VS.
We love it!

 

[jo-jo]

Let me say I know nothing about power chairs so my thought could be really really stupid. But could Glad press and seal be used to wrap around areas with water concerns?

 

[SueM in MN]

Let me say I know nothing about power chairs so my thought could be really really stupid. But could Glad press and seal be used to wrap around areas with water concerns?

Not a bad suggestion. It would need to be loose enough to have enough ‘give’ to still move for driving the chair. The most important parts to protect are where the ‘bellows’ gasket connects to the controller and where the actual joystick connects to the bellows (if it’s not permanently seAbled)

 

[PurpleKomodo]

What chair does he have? My daughter’s current power chair is a Permobil F5 VS.
We love it!

He has a Quantum Stretto. We love it! We test drove a couple of Permobile models too, but the Quantum fits his size and needs best.

 

[Bete]

I think I would use a manual children's wheelchair for the trip especially in the parks. This would solve any rain problems.

Second, I can't see trusting a three old to be able to manuever through the park all day through the crowds and even the ride queues. That's going to be very taxing. I don't know if these power wheelchairs can be used manually, but you may have to push to do certain rides or restaurants or whatever.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

I think I would use a manual children's wheelchair for the trip especially in the parks. This would solve any rain problems.

Second, I can't see trusting a three old to be able to manuever through the park all day through the crowds and even the ride queues. That's going to be very taxing. I don't know if these power wheelchairs can be used manually, but you may have to push to do certain rides or restaurants or whatever.

I hear you on both points. Unfortunately we really need the power chair because a manual chair does not have a way to tote his equipment with us. Before we got his power chair, we used his manual everywhere, but also had to pull a wagon with his equipment. He has a trach and has 3-4 bags/pieces of respiratory equipment with us at all times. We are able to drive the power chair from the back when he doesn’t want to drive. The power chair also gives us the ability to recline if he needs it.
As far as ride queues, we will be requesting a DAS as his need for airway intervention is unpredictable, but for shorter lines or attractions that are basically walk on, he is still little enough that we can just carry him.

 

[Evita_W]

I hear you on both points. Unfortunately we really need the power chair because a manual chair does not have a way to tote his equipment with us. Before we got his power chair, we used his manual everywhere, but also had to pull a wagon with his equipment. He has a trach and has 3-4 bags/pieces of respiratory equipment with us at all times. We are able to drive the power chair from the back when he doesn’t want to drive. The power chair also gives us the ability to recline if he needs it.
As far as ride queues, we will be requesting a DAS as his need for airway intervention is unpredictable, but for shorter lines or attractions that are basically walk on, he is still little enough that we can just carry him.

More than anything else, let me say, have a great trip. I will just reiterate, check with the manufacturer, that will likely be the best results.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think I would use a manual children's wheelchair for the trip especially in the parks. This would solve any rain problems.

Second, I can't see trusting a three old to be able to manuever through the park all day through the crowds and even the ride queues. That's going to be very taxing. I don't know if these power wheelchairs can be used manually, but you may have to push to do certain rides or restaurants or whatever.

It is possible to disengage a power wheelchair and push it, but it’s not going very fast because they are darn heavy and very hard to turn. So, even though it may seem like it would need to be pushed, it won’t be.
For kids especially, many have a secondary small joystick on the back for an attendant to drive it. I’m personally better at driving my daughter’s with her own joystick, and she doesn’t care, so I use hers.
A power wheelchair can pretty much go anywhere and on any accessible ride cars that accommodate a manual wheelchair. The only exceptions would be unusually wide, long or heavy ones. But I doubt a child size one would be an issue for any.

 

[SueM in MN]

He has a Quantum Stretto. We love it! We test drove a couple of Permobile models too, but the Quantum fits his size and needs best.

It’s nice there are multiple companies and options!

 

[Evita_W]

It is possible to disengage a power wheelchair and push it, but it’s not going very fast because they are darn heavy and very hard to turn. So, even though it may seem like it would need to be pushed, it won’t be.
For kids especially, many have a secondary small joystick on the back for an attendant to drive it. I’m personally better at driving my daughter’s with her own joystick, and she doesn’t care, so I use hers.
A power wheelchair can pretty much go anywhere and on any accessible ride cars that accommodate a manual wheelchair. The only exceptions would be unusually wide, long or heavy ones. But I doubt a child size one would be an issue for any.

Not sure about at WDW, but at DLR, there are a couple of rides where they don't allow them for liability reasons. They don't want to risk damaging someone's personal chair. I forget the exact ones now, as it has been quite some time since I have been with someone in a power chair there.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not sure about at WDW, but at DLR, there are a couple of rides where they don't allow them for liability reasons. They don't want to risk damaging someone's personal chair. I forget the exact ones now, as it has been quite some time since I have been with someone in a power chair there.

The information I have from disability services at WDW is that personal power wheelchairs can go on any of the accessible ride cars as long as not too wide, long or heavy. I have seen people drive theirs on almost every ride at WDW - some that really surprised me because the car is pretty tight (Imagination, Buzz Lightyear and Toy Story Midway Mania). I don’t remember ever seeing one on Aladdin’s Magic Carpet, but most others, I have.
I also know there have been incidents at times that halted using power wheelchairs at times. If it’s not possible to use a power wheelchair on an accessible ride vehicle, the CMs at the entrance should say something - they are pretty good about asking if wheelchair users can/want to transfer or need the accessible vehicle.

 

[cobright]

He has a Quantum Stretto. We love it! We test drove a couple of Permobile models too, but the Quantum fits his size and needs best.

The Edge 3 Stretto? That platform is rock solid. I don't think anything short of submersion will kill that power-base. The electrics (controls and power connections) are actually pretty simple and unlikely to be bothered by a little rain or splashing. That said... being out in a full downpour is a little different. I've never cracked open the controls so I don't know if any actual 'weatherproofing' is built into them other than the snap or screw enclosure.

So... there's two areas that are most exposed, the controls themselves (joystick and speed control) because even if sealed to some extent they are still right on top, and cord connections, things like the connection between the controls and the powerbase or between the batteries and the charger or control board.

If exposed wiring connections are not weatherproof, replacing them with waterproof connectors is super easy using something like this.

If you're hesitant to cut up your very expensive wiring harnesses (don't blame you) you can waterproof existing junctions with something like this.

And if that seems a little too clunky for you, one of my favorite products is a self-fusing silicone 'rescue tape' that works great for this job.

Now, for the controls and electronics boxes themselves, that rescue tape can be wrapped around the seems to good effect. Another technique I use is to give the electronics enclosures (inside and out) a heavy dose of NeverWet. It is a super-hydrophobic coating that was all the rage a few years ago. Some pretty cool YouTube videos of NeverWet treated people getting disgusting stuff poured on them. The magic is that the coating dries very thin, like a coat of spray paint, so it can be applied right onto the circuit boards inside the electronics enclosures and then applied to the outside of the enclosure as well. Water, and almost everything else, will just fall off the treated area. It's cool but not too good to be true, it works like magic but the effect diminishes after a few months.

Second, I can't see trusting a three old to be able to manuever through the park all day through the crowds and even the ride queues. That's going to be very taxing.

This is an interesting and common misconception about children and powered mobility devices. Guess what requires far more attention, fine motor skill, strength, and stamina than piloting a power chair? Walking. Now imagine telling an able bodied three year old that it's just easier for everyone if he'd sit in a stroller all day and get pushed around.

More than that... one of the truely special aspects of this particular chair, and I suspect a reason the OP had in choosing it, is that it's designed to lift the occupant to eye level. In this case, probably eye level of a 3- year old, but the point is that it's designed to mitigate the invisibility disease that so many in seated mobility device seem to catch when out in public.

In my experience, I've seen 3 year olds manage their own mobility even without legs so I would not presume to suggest that another must be incapable of piloting a powerchair.

 

[PurpleKomodo]

Thanks so much @cobright! That is really helpful and I am glad you have seen our chair and have an idea what we are dealing with. We have the speed control on the back for now (so we can control indoor speed while he learns how to not, you know crash throw walls). So, that is easily protected by the umbrella. His joystick is midline in the front, so I think it should be pretty well protected too unless there is a lot of wind.

And thank you for your comment on young kids and power chairs. It really is a common misconception. He has just learned to drive instead of walk. It is second nature to him. But, most people are still shocked that he can drive it so well. Amazing that no one is impressed that a 2.5 year old walks so well. The elevator feature that allows him to reach tables, countertops, and light switches is definitely a great feature on this chair. We equated it to our able-bodied children being able to go get a stool. He also really liked the mid-wheel drive on this chair. It was a more natural transition from a steering perspective from a manual chair.

We really treat him like either of our other kids at that age in theme parks. We need to get somewhere quickly, I'll drive (like hop in the stroller). You need to stay right with me, I'll drive (like holding a hand). Quite frankly, his biggest difficulty driving in theme parks is that he is easily distracted and tries to take off in the wrong direction (like any almost 3 year old).

 

[mamabunny]

The Edge 3 Stretto? That platform is rock solid. I don't think anything short of submersion will kill that power-base. The electrics (controls and power connections) are actually pretty simple and unlikely to be bothered by a little rain or splashing. That said... being out in a full downpour is a little different. I've never cracked open the controls so I don't know if any actual 'weatherproofing' is built into them other than the snap or screw enclosure.

So... there's two areas that are most exposed, the controls themselves (joystick and speed control) because even if sealed to some extent they are still right on top, and cord connections, things like the connection between the controls and the powerbase or between the batteries and the charger or control board.

If exposed wiring connections are not weatherproof, replacing them with waterproof connectors is super easy using something like this.

If you're hesitant to cut up your very expensive wiring harnesses (don't blame you) you can waterproof existing junctions with something like this.

And if that seems a little too clunky for you, one of my favorite products is a self-fusing silicone 'rescue tape' that works great for this job.

Now, for the controls and electronics boxes themselves, that rescue tape can be wrapped around the seems to good effect. Another technique I use is to give the electronics enclosures (inside and out) a heavy dose of NeverWet. It is a super-hydrophobic coating that was all the rage a few years ago. Some pretty cool YouTube videos of NeverWet treated people getting disgusting stuff poured on them. The magic is that the coating dries very thin, like a coat of spray paint, so it can be applied right onto the circuit boards inside the electronics enclosures and then applied to the outside of the enclosure as well. Water, and almost everything else, will just fall off the treated area. It's cool but not too good to be true, it works like magic but the effect diminishes after a few months.

This is an interesting and common misconception about children and powered mobility devices. Guess what requires far more attention, fine motor skill, strength, and stamina than piloting a power chair? Walking. Now imagine telling an able bodied three year old that it's just easier for everyone if he'd sit in a stroller all day and get pushed around.

More than that... one of the truely special aspects of this particular chair, and I suspect a reason the OP had in choosing it, is that it's designed to lift the occupant to eye level. In this case, probably eye level of a 3- year old, but the point is that it's designed to mitigate the invisibility disease that so many in seated mobility device seem to catch when out in public.

In my experience, I've seen 3 year olds manage their own mobility even without legs so I would not presume to suggest that another must be incapable of piloting a powerchair.

My friend @cobright is a great source of inspiration (and information) about how powered mobility devices work - but sometimes, what I need just some quick n' dirty waterproofing: Keep a roll of blue painter's tape handy to cover connections under the chair, if you arrive and it looks like it's going to be a VERY rainy week; if you need to travel light, you can even "flat pack" painter's tape easily. For any joysticks, a clear plastic shower cap (you can sometimes beg a disposable one from housekeeping at hotels, or just buy a pack on Amazon) will also help keep things safe and dry without a lot of work, and take up very little space when packing. I keep a few stashed in the underseat storage on my personal chair.

 

[Evita_W]

My friend @cobright is a great source of inspiration (and information) about how powered mobility devices work - but sometimes, what I need just some quick n' dirty waterproofing: Keep a roll of blue painter's tape handy to cover connections under the chair, if you arrive and it looks like it's going to be a VERY rainy week; if you need to travel light, you can even "flat pack" painter's tape easily. For any joysticks, a clear plastic shower cap (you can sometimes beg a disposable one from housekeeping at hotels, or just buy a pack on Amazon) will also help keep things safe and dry without a lot of work, and take up very little space when packing. I keep a few stashed in the underseat storage on my personal chair.

They have always had shower caps at the front desk when I have asked at all Disney Resorts.