Basic use of the Apex including how to engage and disengage support on demand.
The Apex is an occupational exoskeleton with passive spring-like assistance. There are no sensors, motors, or batteries. It is intended to be used by adults for work performed in industrial environments. The Apex is designed to support and assist the low back and hips to reduce strain, fatigue, and risk for injury while performing bending, stooping, leaning, reaching, squatting, and lifting tasks.
Please note, the Apex is not intended to increase performance or productivity, or to allow users to lift objects that are heavier than they would normally lift.
If the Apex is put on and adjusted properly, the only thing you need to know to use it is how to operate the Switch to engage and disengage the system.
- Engage the system by pulling the upper portion of the Switch downward toward the floor until it clicks. Be sure not to pinch the switch, or pull up on the bottom button when doing this. Simply pull the switch straight down to turn the Apex on.
- Disengage the system by pressing the button at the bottom of the Switch in toward your body so that the upper portion of the Switch slides back up to the top of the rails and clicks into place.
A good test to see if you’ve adjusted the Apex exosuit properly and if it’s working well is to perform 10 bends and squats with the device engaged, followed by 10 bends and squats with the device disengaged to feel the difference.
Remember to engage the Apex when bending, stooping, leaning, reaching, squatting, and lifting for support and assistance. Disengage the Apex when you don’t need to do these types of movements, such as when you need to walk long distances, climb stairs or ladders, operate equipment, or sit down.
Take a moment to practice turning the Apex on and off a few times. Perform different movements that you normally do at work in both engaged and disengaged modes to feel the difference. Exosuits like the Apex are new to most people, so a little practice using it and moving in it before entering the workplace is recommended.
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