3 replies to this topic

[twisted_ophelia]

Does anyone have experiences with the AireRx SPC or SPPC cushion? It's the one that is hollowed out under the tailbone and butt bones and has the built in fan option.

http://www.airerx.com/Cushions.aspx

I was told two different things about this cushion--that it is the most aggressive cushion on the market for skin protection and good for users who are at extremely high risk for pressure issues BUT I was also recently told that this cushion has a tendency to bottom out. Anyone have one of these cushions? Is it true about the bottoming out? As far as I know, it is a new cushion that hasn't been on the market for very long and not one of the big well-known cushion makers like Roho, Jay, etc., so I'm not sure that too many of you guys will be familiar with it. Any info would be super awesome.

Thanks guys!

Edited to add that if anyone can recommend any other cushions for those at extremely high risk for skin breakdown, that'd also be appreciated. Hikkakaru just recommended the Roho 4 chamber in chat. Anything else?

Edited by twisted_ophelia, 10 April 2009 - 07:54 PM.

[Bagpuss-wheels]

twisted_ophelia, on Apr 10 2009, 03:56 AM, said:

Does anyone have experiences with the AireRx SPC or SPPC cushion? It's the one that is hollowed out under the tailbone and butt bones and has the built in fan option.

http://www.airerx.com/Cushions.aspx

I was told two different things about this cushion--that it is the most aggressive cushion on the market for skin protection and good for users who are at extremely high risk for pressure issues BUT I was also recently told that this cushion has a tendency to bottom out. Anyone have one of these cushions? Is it true about the bottoming out? As far as I know, it is a new cushion that hasn't been on the market for very long and not one of the big well-known cushion makers like Roho, Jay, etc., so I'm not sure that too many of you guys will be familiar with it. Any info would be super awesome.

Thanks guys!

Edited to add that if anyone can recommend any other cushions for those at extremely high risk for skin breakdown, that'd also be appreciated. Hikkakaru just recommended the Roho 4 chamber in chat. Anything else?

Hi twisted_ophelia,

Haven't tried either of the AireRx SPC or SPPC cushions.

Personally I'd recommend a Roho Quadtro Select High Profile with Isoflo valve (they generally have the Isoflo valve unless somewhere has an old four valve one!) - and in the 4inch 'high profile' version as opposed to the 'low profile' version which is only 2 inches high). I love it! I've been sat on it in the car on a journey and then all day round the Naidex exhibition at the NEC in Brum (UK) and then home again and, whilst I'd 'forgotten' to fidget, I didn't end up with sores (unlike the year before when on a gel-foam 'thing' which had been made by the local wheelchair services).

Some peops hate the Roho cushions and say that they are 'unstable' - one of the biggest things is to learn how much air you need in it for you as everyone will be different. The biggest thing is that you sit 'in' a Roho as opposed to perched more 'on top' as with a lot of other cushions (including most foam ones). I'd advise you to ask for a pressure mapping at the same time as trying new cushions - it's very useful as it will show exactly the amount of pressure under certain areas and, when you move, how that alters the pressure under your behind.

The Quadtro is the most stable of the 'all air' versions of the Roho cushions as you can lock air into the four corners. (The two section one is usually used with a section for each leg and you can alter the air between the two. I gather some people use it sideways so have the sections going across them.) The big advantages (as well as the positioning abilities) are that, if you don't need the positioning properties of the Quadtro, you can still benefit from it by locking the air when transferring or if you feel like it, as well as 'unlocking' the valve so that it acts like a one section cushion when you want so that you can get the best from the pressure relieving properties.) Also, being air (and because you sit 'in' a Roho), you should be more stable than on a lot of other cushions no matter which number of segments you have (provided you have the correct amount of air in it!).

I am classed as 'very high risk' of pressure sores and I also need a cushion which has positioning properties because I have scoliosis and a 'pelvic obliquity' (one side of the pelvis sits lower than the other) so I need a cushion which can compensate for this (or I am sat leaning over the side of the wheelchair and unable to go anywhere or push myself.) Even with the amount of air I need in one side, I have not bottomed out yet. (I do have to have my cushion slightly over inflated which is not great but I need it for positioning - Ideally, you shouldn't have either too much, nor too little air in them. Too much and the cushion is too firm, too little and you risk bottoming out. This is why I'd recommend a pressure mapping - it will give you an idea of how much air you need to make sure you have in it. They are easy to keep pumped up (nothing like as hard as I was lead to believe by wheelchair services!)

Not everyone either likes or gets on with a Roho - I'd say give them a try! You've nothing to lose and potentially a lot to gain. (I know that they are another 'Marmite' - you either love them or hate them !)

I love mine so much that, although I've got the one from Wheelchair Services, I have just paid for one myself and I collect it in Brum at this year's Naidex exhibition in just over two weeks! ('Naidex' is a disability product etc exhibition and there is everything from wheelchairs to ramps, beds, small disability aids, holiday companies etc - you name it, they're there!)

Best wishes,
Cat
>^,,^<

[twisted_ophelia]

Cool, thanks Cat!

Funnily enough, I was actually thinking about you the other day, wondering where you were at cuz I hadn't seen you posting or anything! And then you appeared :

[Bagpuss-wheels]

twisted_ophelia, on Apr 13 2009, 01:53 AM, said:

Cool, thanks Cat!

Funnily enough, I was actually thinking about you the other day, wondering where you were at cuz I hadn't seen you posting or anything! And then you appeared :

Hey,

You're welcome!

Sorry for being 'missing presumed...?' - have not been great recently with one thing and another! (Have sent you a PM with the latest!)

:hugs:

Cat x
>^,,^<