Stay cool with cushions designed to help alleviate heat and moisture

Posted on by rideeditor

Heat and moisture, combined with the stresses of prolonged sitting, can contribute to pressure injuries.

Cushions designed around immersion technologies (think air or gel-filled) are intended to conform completely to boney areas, thus sealing off the pelvis from significant air flow. This can cause the skin to be warmer, damp, and clammy. Moist skin is not healthy skin.

In contrast, Ride’s cushion designs take an altogether different approach: holding the high-risk areas up and away from the surface of the cushion, creating space for air to flow between the skin and the cushion. These patented, skin-friendly interface designs make all the difference in helping to manage heat and moisture.

All Ride cushions help keep the sitter dry and comfortable in virtually any climate
through the use of exceptional design and materials…

Spacer mesh fabric:

All Ride cushion cover designs incorporate spacer mesh fabric (below left). Even under significant load, the spacer fabric does not compress, thus allowing air to move between the sitter and the cushion. The unique architecture of the fabric is apparent below right in this cutaway, close-up view of the fibers that create space for air to flow through the fabric.

Vented cushion designs maximizes air flow:

• The Java Cushion has a ventilation channel on the underside of the cushion
so air can flow freely between the cushion and the person sitting on it. Below is a cutaway view of the cushion so you can see how air can flow into the contoured spaces from the rear of the cushion and into the ventilation channel from the front. Even the cushion’s well area has been perforated to enhance air flow — see overhead view, below right.

• An optional Ventilation Channel is available for the Ride Custom 2 Cushion. In keeping with the custom product, the channel is specifically located for each shape, at the position of best opportunity for air flow. See airflow diagram below.

Ride_Custom2_ventilation_channel_illus

Anytime of year, and especially with the summer months quickly approaching, consider these Ride cushion options to help those who use wheelchairs to sit as comfortably and safely as possible. (Not to mention seating stability…)

We have the evidence! To read university-level studies supporting the efficacy of Ride Cushions, click here.

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