Wave Therapies

Aquatic Wheelchair Redesign

This project focused on redesigning an aquatic wheelchair based on the current wheelchairs in use at the Bellevue Aquatic Center. The redesign needed to be cost-effective, reproducible, durable, functional, and comfortable to be used in a warm water therapy pool on a zero entry ramp. It also needed to fit on the pool ramp, through 36-inch doorways, and between the pool, locker rooms, and showers. The wheelchair needed to support up to 400 pounds, roll and turn smoothly with a seated user, provide stable support and relative comfort for nonambulatory users, reduce excessive buoyancy in the water, keep the user positioned safely as the ramp descends to 3 feet, and include functional wheel locks on both main wheels. The project resulted in open-source aquatic wheelchair plans and a prototype intended for use at the Bellevue Aquatic Center.