More Details

* Fits most types of vehicle seating including single and double seats. To fit the harness access is required between the seat back and seat cushion.

* Please note that this vehicle harness is not classed as safety harness but as a medical device for postural support. To comply with safety regulations, the vehicle safety belt must always be worn over the top of the harness. The combination of the existing vehicle safety belt and the secondary harness offers added security for the passenger. Carries the CE mark and complies with the requirements of MDD 93/42 EEC.

* It is advisable to carry out a safety and risk assessment to first consider the problems involved and what the situation would be if the passenger is not wearing a special needs harness. Could they be in danger to themselves and to other passengers in the vehicle or even other drivers on the road if they are not safely seated during travel?

* Supplier strongly recommend that a safety webbing slicer is purchased with every vehicle harness and kept in the vehicle as a safety precaution.

Considerations

VEHICLE RESTRAINTS
* It may be helpful to refer to the following Australian Standards to assist in deciding the safest way to transport a child with a disability.
The two Australian Standards covering car restraints are:
(1). AS/NZS 1754:2004 Child Restraint System for Use in Motor Vehicles,
which covers:
- all standard car seats and capsules,
- and harnesses with user mass up to 32 kg.
(2). AS/NZS 4370:1996 Restraint of Children with Disabilities in Motor
Vehicles, which covers:
- recommendations for prescribers,
- situations that require modification,
- and custom modifications to cater for special needs.

* While most child car restraints comply with AS/NZS 1754:2004, when outside the scope of this standard it will be necessary to follow the recommendation of AS/NZS 4370:1996. Therefore a medical certificate or medical prescription is needed specifying that the user with disabilities requires alternative seating other than an approved car restraint. A copy of the current medical certificate should also be carried in the vehicle when using the restraint. It is recommended that the same procedure for adults with special needs.

Wheelchair Restraints
When transporting a person in a wheelchair in a car or van, both the occupant and the wheelchair require an RMS (formerly RTA) approved restraint system. The wheelchair and the occupant need to be separately secured to the vehicle itself.
RMS approval is not required for a postural support, such as a harness, that supports the user in the wheelchair but is not part of the vehicle restraint system.
The use of a headrest is not legally required but strongly recommended. Easily detachable, folding headrests which fit a wheelchair with standard push handles are available. Refer to section Wheelchair, Scooter, Cushions, ramps / Postural Supports - Seating System: Restraint+ Head+Back+Seats

Other Considerations:
* Suitable for bench vehicle seats only, or in the case of 'deep-bucket' style single backrest seats
* Attaching straps go vertically around the rear of the seat it is installed on
* Full 7-point harness with superior torso control and stability (crotch strap between the legs doesn't need to be used if not required)
* Access to rear of seat is necessary when installing
* Gap required between seat and backrest

Place Of Manufacture

Medifab

Price Guide

Code Size Age Group
#4604-3101-017 31A Paediatric
#4604-3102-017 31B 7 years to Adult

Models

Five models available (check separate items):
* Houdini 13 Harness
* Houdini 22 Harness
* Houdini 27 Harness
* Houdini 28 Harness
* Houdini 31 7-Point Harness

Options

* Anti-Escape Buckle
* Pen-Popper Buckle Upgrade

Installation

Designed to offer more postural support and a certain degree of restraint to the passenger. This harness incorporates a 'bib-front' with two torso straps with anti-escape buckles. This harness will only fit seats with access between the seat back and seat cushion.
1. Place the PVC backing of the harness against the front of the seat back.
2. Pass the two top vertical fixing straps up and over the seat back.
3. Pass the tail-ends of the vertical fixing down through the gap between the seat back and seat cushion and bring them up to connect through the Aluminium Bar
Buckles of the top fixing straps.
4. Position the body harness so that the waist belt will be in line with the waist.
5. Tighten the vertical straps to fit the seat back as securely as possible and pass the loose ends through the Tri-Glide slide.
6. With the harness unfastened at the waist belt sit the passenger on the under-strap which is lying on the seat cushion and bring their arms through the shoulder straps.
7. Now bring the under-strap up between the legs and loop it back onto the waist belt over the buckle.
8. Connect the waist belt buckle to fasten the harness.
9. Adjust all straps to fit tightly yet comfortably by pulling the tail-ends of strapping through the adjuster buckles.
10. To remove the passenger from the harness - Unfasten the buckle on the waist belt at the centrefront.

Maintenance

Washing instructions:
* Hand wash only - in warm water up to 70/80 degrees
* Use mild detergent/anti-bacterial liquid wash
* Mild disinfectant can be used
* Do not use bleach
* Do not tumble dry

IMPORMS (formerly RTA)NT: Belts and harnesses should be replaced if they show any sign of fraying or cuts, and especially if they have been involved in an accident.

WARNING: It is not a safety harness and should be worn in conjunction with the vehicle safety belt.

Standards

Standards
Some assistive technology needs to meet Australian or other standards. Standards may relate to materials, manufacturing and installation. Products that meet Australian or international standards will have written certification. To find out if a product meets Australian Standards ask the supplier to show you the certificate. For more information about standards also see
http://at-aust.org/home/assistive_technology/standards.html

TGA
Many of the items on the Assistive Technology Australia website are categorised as a Medical Device. Medical devices that are approved for use in Australia have been entered into a national database called the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), which is maintained by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). You can ask the supplier for the ARTG number for the device you wish to purchase and search the ARTG for the entry. To access information on the ARTG visit www.tga.gov.au

When buying a medical device it is advisable to only choose a medical device that is recommended by a healthcare professional and has been included on the ARTG.