6. Seating -
The seat is one of the most important considerations in purchasing a scooter since it is directly responsible for the comfort of the rider. You can have the best performing scooter available but would hate to use it if the seat made you uncomfortable. Seats with poor design can cause poor posture and painful pressure points especially when used over the long term and that is why it is more important for people who spend alot of time on their scooter or wheelchair to buy a good seat. The more time you spend on your scooter, the more time you should spend looking at the seat before you purchase one.
The first considerations in seating are obviously the dimensions of width, height and and depth, and probably whether the seat swivels or not. If you have requirements which are outside of the normal range such as for children or extra large individuals, then most companies make extra capacity seats and a few make pediatric seats. To give you an idea of a seat which fits, the seat should be able to support you from the sides and back, and ones' "butt" shouldn't overlap the edge of the seat.
Most companies make standard fish on folding or rigid seats which are made with a plastic shell with padded lining. The better ones are molded with a contoured shape to position the rider. These are called fish on because they were originally designed for the boating industry for fishing. The padded lining on the shell varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and most are good if the rider sits in them for relatively short periods of time. Also offered by most manufacturers are the Deluxe seat or Captains seat. These usually offer more padding and adjustability which lends the seat towards more long term comfort. Bruno makes a wide variety of quality seeating options if you are looking for something special. Pride also will custom build a seat for you.
Another consideration in seating is the materials used in construction.
Vinyl and cloth upholstery are most common. Cloth tends to breath better and doesn't get hot if left in the sun. Vinyl cleans up easier and is usually a little stronger and durable. Either material should have enough slip resistance so as to keep the rider in position to prevent slouching. Some seats such as those on the new Jazzy powerchairs actually resemble luxury car seats and are very comfortable. Quality seats generally have contours on both the back and the seat which conform to the shape of the rider and holds him or her in position. Shapeless seats do not position the rider and usually cause discomfort after a short period of time. Pressure points from poor seating can lead to poor circulation and bed sores (decubitus ulcers)after prolonged use.
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