[gbux512]

Hi, so I have an invacare topend crossfire. I need a much more supportive cushion that what it comes with, but at the same time I want it to be as low profile as possible so it doesn't make me too top heavy. I know that's two propertys of cushions that are hard to mix together I just don't know where to start looking, or what I'm looking for. Any advice is highly appreciated.

[javaftper]

have you tried the j3 combi?

i would highly recommend it-
1. supportive
2. good for protecting against pressure sores
3. contoured to hold legs in position
4. inexpensive


//j

[COOL Mobility]

I use a Varilite Zoid - air filled foam cushion. Really light (about 600 grams/ one pound) and only 2" thick. You can adjust pressure for comfort but if it does spring a leak, you still have padding. Stable and easy to slide transfer onto. No adsobtion of accidents is another bonus - just wash cover and wipe cushion down.

Thicker Varilites give better suspension and pressure care and I use a 3" thick in my power chair prototype when I'm testing it. Only drawback is can create too much moisture build up for some. There is no perfect cushion - you need to find what suits your own body's needs.

This post has been edited by COOL Mobility: 03 February 2010 - 10:20 AM

[YWG]

gbux512, on Feb 2 2010, 11:09 PM, said:

Hi, so I have an invacare topend crossfire. I need a much more supportive cushion that what it comes with, but at the same time I want it to be as low profile as possible so it doesn't make me too top heavy. I know that's two propertys of cushions that are hard to mix together I just don't know where to start looking, or what I'm looking for. Any advice is highly appreciated.

impossible question to answer without knowing more about your situation - in particular being what are your risk factors for skin breakdown/pressure sores?

[gbux512]

well, I dont have any yet, but its pretty much skin and bone on my butt where all the pressure is i try to keep tjhe pressure off it but its seems to be diminishing. im 23, but im also diabetic.

[guido]

gbux512, on Feb 10 2010, 03:17 PM, said:

well, I dont have any yet, but its pretty much skin and bone on my butt where all the pressure is i try to keep tjhe pressure off it but its seems to be diminishing. im 23, but im also diabetic.

Are you in the UK? Because you shouldn't have to be making this decision without advice. Spinal Injury Units should have someone who will work with you to find out what is best for you.

At Sheffield they have a clever piece of kit linked up to the computer to test pressure. So you put it between the cushion and your booty, and it maps out the pressure in a series of colours. So you can see what works for you and what doesn't.

[gbux512]

Nope I'm in America, and when I go to get new cushion, my doctor sends me to the medical supply store, and all the ones in my area are either guys that are complete morons, or,they are the biggest cheats around. I was hoping to just see some options and just pick the best one from them. I know about the computer mapping thing, I had it at my rehab hopital, but since I pretty much feel where my bone is pushing through, and I can feel the pain of the pressure, I know where my trouble spots are.

[dangerousdave]

Being a active wheelie with 3 chairs
They all have Jay Duo moulded seat pan with thin foam and gell cushions
I live in the UK but save money by ordering them from USA
Yes the gell pack does split at times - but then it suffers a lot of punishment

[Texaswheelz]

COOL Mobility, on Feb 3 2010, 05:18 AM, said:

I use a Varilite Zoid - air filled foam cushion. Really light (about 600 grams/ one pound) and only 2" thick. You can adjust pressure for comfort but if it does spring a leak, you still have padding. Stable and easy to slide transfer onto. No adsobtion of accidents is another bonus - just wash cover and wipe cushion down.

I have the Zoid also, very light and thin. I had various types of Jay's for my first 15 years before trying one of those quad low profile roho's as i was wanting something much lighter then the gels. Roho is a great cushion, just not for me, even with the 4 chambers the air would move around to much when shifting in my seat. Had a friend with a zoid, so I tried it and love it. The little air valve popped out after a year or so, but I cleaned it up good and put some stuff for putting pvc pipe together on it and put it back in place. That worked, but now i think my cats have finally put their claws through it as it isn't holding air long any more, even without air though it's better then one of those default cushions that comes with chairs.

[COOL Mobility]

I've had a Stimulite Sport (low profile, flat) before the Zoid and they are very hard for first week while they settle into your pressure profile, then get better. But after about two years of use it seemed to get harder again and I got pink in the coccyx or top of crack area.

Still use the Stimulite for sailing and backup as its non adsorbing structure works well in that case and is heavy enough to not blow away, where Zoid is too light unless velcroed to seat.

One thing is the Zoid valve placement in front right corner - I transfer with slide board out front left, so not drastic, but have broken one valve under my right hand in a tansfer. If transferring over the valve it could easily scratch if you sit on it or be broken easily between board and chair sides. Should be in a back corner NOT FRONT...

[gbux512]

wow everyone thank you for all the responces! You have been truely helpful. I think I'm gonna steer away from air cushions, as I had heard they werent as good, and Im debating between the Stimulite Sport and the Jay Duo. The Stimulite looks nice cause it says its made for sports chairs, while i think the Jay Duo looks more supportive, any comments?

[dangerousdave]

One of the big problems I have is sliding forward
The Jay Duo keeps my bum exactly where it should be
Can't fault it except for the occasional split and letting the gel seep out

[mellowgator]

gbux512, on Feb 2 2010, 11:09 PM, said:

Hi, so I have an invacare topend crossfire. I need a much more supportive cushion that what it comes with, but at the same time I want it to be as low profile as possible so it doesn't make me too top heavy. I know that's two propertys of cushions that are hard to mix together I just don't know where to start looking, or what I'm looking for. Any advice is highly appreciated.

i love my stimulite. it works well if you're not too heavy. i'm a female 115 lbs and i love this cushion.

i've used the jay cushions and the roho in the past. i hated the jay i live in florida and the gel packs would burst what a mess. and the roho too high and i didn't like the upkeep and having to keep it full of air.

the stimulite is super easy to wash off if you have an accident and it's light and i've never after 23 years have had an skin issue . it's onlyl 2" thick. only drawback is if you are over 175 lbs this may not be enough support.

[edlee]

Don't completely disregard the ROHOs without at least trying one. I've been using them for the five years I've been in my chair without a leak. I did manage to tear one at the valve (QUATRO) with a really bad transfer,, but have had no problems since I turned the thing to the back.

The thing to remember with ROHOs is that you don't sit on them,, you sit in them. Most people who have had problems with them have inflated them too much. Your butt should only be 1/2 inch from the bottom when properly set up.

Whatever you get, don't be afraid to complain if it doesn't feel right. The squeaky wheel is the only one thats fixed, after all.
ed

[gbux512]

Hmm gel exploding does sound like a downer. Could anyone explain what is to a roho? Is it just an air cushion, or is it air and something else? I like the idea of the stimulite, but I am right in the ballpark of too heavy, 170ish.

[Trinity]

gbux512, on Mar 16 2010, 05:44 PM, said:

Hmm gel exploding does sound like a downer. Could anyone explain what is to a roho? Is it just an air cushion, or is it air and something else? I like the idea of the stimulite, but I am right in the ballpark of too heavy, 170ish.

I have a Jay2 cushion and have never had a problem with leaking or bursting gel, maybe I have been lucky!

The other cushion I have is a Vicair. This is an air type cushion which is filled with hundreds of air filled fabric pyramids. You can add or take them out of each section for your stability. It is also, unlike the Jay very very light.

Rohos are air filled, I think you either love them or hate them!

Seriously consider getting yourself pressure mapped, that way you can get the right cushion for you and your skin. What suits someone def doesn't suit another and you can't mess around when it comes to your skin.

[mellowgator]

Trinity, on Mar 16 2010, 08:09 PM, said:

gbux512, on Mar 16 2010, 05:44 PM, said:

Hmm gel exploding does sound like a downer. Could anyone explain what is to a roho? Is it just an air cushion, or is it air and something else? I like the idea of the stimulite, but I am right in the ballpark of too heavy, 170ish.

I have a Jay2 cushion and have never had a problem with leaking or bursting gel, maybe I have been lucky!

The other cushion I have is a Vicair. This is an air type cushion which is filled with hundreds of air filled fabric pyramids. You can add or take them out of each section for your stability. It is also, unlike the Jay very very light.

Rohos are air filled, I think you either love them or hate them!

Seriously consider getting yourself pressure mapped, that way you can get the right cushion for you and your skin. What suits someone def doesn't suit another and you can't mess around when it comes to your skin.

to be honest trinity, my cushion often was left in the sun while i layed in the sun or swam. this is a heavy cushion and urine could penetrate the foam at the zipper. i used one for 15 years. all of them exploded!

This post has been edited by mellowgator: 17 March 2010 - 01:14 AM

[Trinity]

mellowgator, on Mar 16 2010, 07:17 PM, said:

Trinity, on Mar 16 2010, 08:09 PM, said:

gbux512, on Mar 16 2010, 05:44 PM, said:

Hmm gel exploding does sound like a downer. Could anyone explain what is to a roho? Is it just an air cushion, or is it air and something else? I like the idea of the stimulite, but I am right in the ballpark of too heavy, 170ish.

I have a Jay2 cushion and have never had a problem with leaking or bursting gel, maybe I have been lucky!

The other cushion I have is a Vicair. This is an air type cushion which is filled with hundreds of air filled fabric pyramids. You can add or take them out of each section for your stability. It is also, unlike the Jay very very light.

Rohos are air filled, I think you either love them or hate them!

Seriously consider getting yourself pressure mapped, that way you can get the right cushion for you and your skin. What suits someone def doesn't suit another and you can't mess around when it comes to your skin.

to be h.onest trinity, my cushion often was left in the sum while i layed in the sun or swam. this is a heavy cushion and urine could penetrate the foam at the zipper.i used one for 15 years. all ofvthem exploded

I wondered if the heat had something to do with it but then I saw dangerous dave had issues with leaking gel too and hot weather is def not an issue in the UK!!
I will just keep my fingers crossed (and a spare handy)!
Apart from the weight I can't fault Jay

[Texaswheelz]

Yea the Roho is just a air cushion. It has several different compartments and comes in both high and low profile, the high of course giving more protection. If you don't move around much they work good. However if you do, I think they are bad for you. The problem I always has is that when would lean one direction all the air would then go the opposite and of course then I would that side pushing more further in the direction I was leaning. It isn't as bad in the low profile as the high, but still noticeable.

The Zoid cushion is also air, but not any where near the same, the air is not in different cells, so when you lean you stay stable. As mentioned above though the valve can be a problem being on the front right corner. I haven't broke mine, but I have knocked it out several times and now when I put it back in the seal is not as good as it once was and air slowly leaks out. That just means that I open the valve to let it suck(yes you will hear it suck in air) air in every night instead of once a wee like before.

I had several Jays over 15 years and only had 1 that leaked.

[animadversor]

If anyone is looking at a ROHO style cushion, try STAR brand instead.

I've used roho style cushions almost exclusively since 1995. Every new roho I bought had thinner n thinner material-the last one i purchased was just a thin film-almost like black garbage bag material. When a roho from 1980ish was compared with a new one it was SO noticeable.

Star cushions are about the same price, same style, but made of much thicker rubber. And they're flame retardant, great for smokers and outdoor fires.

Roho would last me 18 months. Stars usually last double. They'd last much longer, but I'm paranoid about them losing air (happened twice in 15 years-I'm a lil anal) so I constantly check the air pressure on one lil cell. That cell invariably breaks down from the friction or oil on my fingers. Whn that happens I order a new one, but cut that cell off n plug the network of air passages to that cell and it becomes a shower cushion or back up.

doug

[dangerousdave]

The occasional trouble I have with my Jays is completely my fault
To put it bluntly - I'm rough with my chairs
Non of this gently sliding or lowering
Its me bang crash wallop

[WC_Sage]

gbux512

Regarding

Quote

... want it to be as low profile as possible ...

, the Supracor Stimulite Sport cushion is about 2 inches thick - it is one of the thinnest wheelchair cushions available. The cushion is especially suitable for wheelchair athletic events and may also be suitable for you given your T6 injury level.

Google "stimulite sport athletic" to get additional information about this cushion.


If you prefer the 'air feel' of an air cushion but you want to avoid the likelihood of a catastrophic deflation event (i.e., an air leak that leaves you without a useful cushion), then the "Vicair Vector" or "Vicair Adjuster" cushion are good options. These cushions represent a new approach to air-type cushions.

Google "vicair vector" or "vicair adjuster" to get more information about these cushions.


If you are thin and have diabetes, you may want to exercise extra caution with respect to the efficacy of the cushion that you select. Satisfying your

Quote

... want it to be as low profile as possible ...

criteria would; in many cases, be a mutually exclusive condition for a diabetic. A diabetic condition notwithstanding, your T6 injury level suggests that you are capable of independently performing pressure-relieving activities that could allow you to successfully use any type of cushion that you wish, even an extra low profile cushion like the Stimulite Sport athletic cushion.

This post has been edited by WC_Sage: 08 April 2010 - 09:02 PM

[allister]

I too have a Topend Crossfire Titanium, and hated the standard cushion too !
I use a Jay easy visco, and find it suportive and comfortable.
But I know we are all different.
Hope it may help you choose whats right for you

[axl from down under]

I've been using low profile roho for 25 years, no skin problems ever, light and easy, water proof. I have owned probably about 6 in 25 years, only thing I don't like is first one cost about $150.00 AU, now they cost about $750.00 AU

Check with an O.T or seating therapist as it also depends on your requirements, weight and skin problem areas

Good Luck

Tanya

[WC_Sage]

GBUX512

Did you get a cushion?

Incidentally, regarding your earlier post:

Quote

... I like the idea of the stimulite, but I am right in the ballpark of too heavy, 170ish.

All other considerations aside, a 170 pound person is most certainly not too heavy for a Stimulite cushion.