The Wave
Hygiene and health go together.
When we make bathing easier, our clients are healthier. The all new Wave system has been thoroughly reimagined to improve bathing and showering – for the client and for the caregiver.
Responding to requests from therapists and caregivers, we widened these new bath chairs to accommodate larger clients. And to protect skin integrity we added generous padding under soft knit fabric.
As well as mounting the bath chair on a tub stand or rolling shower stand we’ve added an ingenious new tub transfer base (available in summer 2017) to completely change the way you transfer and bathe large clients. There’s nothing like it.
Download the The Wave brochure (1 MB).
Unique Features & Benefits
Include these in your letters of medical necessity:
- Extra wide seat with open sides, 15″ width for small and medium, 17½” for the large.
- Large size accommodates adults up to 6’2″ and 250 lbs.
- Completely configurable; all sizes of the Wave can fit on any of the 3 base options.
- Optional calf rest adjusts independently of seat and back angle.
- Tub transfer base enables users – after being placed in the bath chair using a mechanical lift – to be rolled back and then rotated over the tub for showering.
- Conversion kit allows user to economically move up from small to medium size by just purchasing a new back, seat and cover.
- Least costly alternative to remodeling a bathroom or assisted living, without resorting to bed baths.
A complete bathing system with integrated transfer solution
The system starts with the chair itself, available in small, medium and large.
If you need to raise the chair in the tub (to save your back), get the tub stand.
If you need it at standing height for the shower, get the shower stand.
To transfer a large or heavy user for an over-the-tub shower use the back-saving rotating transfer base. With its ingenious slide-rotate action you can place your client on the bath chair (even with a lift, if necessary) and move it over the tub without strain. (Available in Summer 2017)
We asked clinicians and parents what they wanted in a new bath chair. Their top request? More width. Well, you got it. Plus better padding for sensitive skin.
Wider and more comfortable than ever
Before our designers started redesigning the Wave, they asked therapists and providers what they wanted. More width was the number one request.
Our large is 171/2” wide and it will accommodate adults up to 6’2” and 250lbs.
The medium is 15” wide
The small is also 15” wide
Along with a wider chair, our designers added padding to make it even more comfortable and gentle on sensitive skin.
Easy to adjust
The Wave is truly tool free, not only for initial assembly but also for all adjustments, many while in use.
Adjust the backrest angle with one hand which allows the caregiver to keep the other hand on the client for safety and reassurance.
Adjust the angle of the seat by releasing the two triggers underneath.
Adjust calf rest independently by pushing the gray buttons and rotating up or down.
Adjust the angle and height of the chair by pulling out and pivoting the legs up or down.
Positions like no other bath chair
The backrest adjusts from flat to 75° in 6 increments.
The seat adjusts from flat to 75° in 6 increments.
The calf rest adjusts separately from the seat in 15°increments – making it possible to make it flat or adjust it to 90°, or an angle in between.
The Wave is the only bath chair with separate seat and calf rest adjustments. That means you can comfortably position the client with just the right hip and leg angle.
More seat heights using the base.
For an intermediate seat height, rotate rear legs up flat and front facing legs down.
To get the chair low in the tub, rotate both front and back legs straight out as shown.
Thoughtful details
Conversion kits are the smart solution for growing children. For a fraction of the cost you can convert a small to a medium bath chair. We’ll send you a new larger fabric cover, back and seat frames and chest strap with instructions on how to remove the old and install the new parts on your existing base.
The Wave has a washable fabric cover that is easily removed for cleaning.
Bathing equipment for people with disabilities tends to be big and bulky, taking up far too much space in bathrooms that are shared by everyone in the family. Often this means that families are forced to take shortcuts or skimp on hygiene care for their loved ones with special needs. And poor hygiene often results in poor health.
Rifton designed the bath chair to fold flat and hang on the wall out of the way.
Rifton’s folding storable tub transfer base makes it possible for everyone in the family to use the tub.
When you are finished just remove the base from the tub, fold the legs, and hang it on the wall hook provided.
Chest Straps
The simple chest strap positions the user in the Wave bath chair. It attaches with hook and loop anywhere along the full height of the back and buckles securely behind.
The simple chest strap provides minimal lateral positioning and is best used with clients who are able to maintain their own trunk alignment.
The chest strap with lateral positioning was designed with adjustable straps that give additional lateral support to help users maintain better trunk alignment.
Unlike the laterals on most bath chairs, Rifton’s soft fabric laterals will not get in the way during transfers.
Head blocks
Optional head blocks provide lateral support and positioning for the user’s head.
The soft plastic head blocks are on a strap that can be positioned at any height on the back rest. Aside from providing positioning support for clients with poor head control, head blocks can also give the client a feeling of security.
Leg Straps
The leg straps are sewn from the same soft fabric as the chair. They attach anywhere on the seat and are secured with a buckle. Each leg can be secured individually with a hook and loop closure.
The leg straps are sewn from the same soft fabric as the chair. They attach anywhere on the seat and are secured with a buckle. Each leg can be secured individually with a hook and loop closure.
Calf rest
The calf rest option provides more support for the lower legs and is especially needed when the bath chair is used on one of the stands.
The calf rest must be chosen at the time of the original purchase. It cannot be added later.
Tub Stand
The tub stand can be used with all three chair sizes and raises the chair either 5 ½” or 11 ½” allowing safer transfers and caregiver assistance during bathing. All adjustments are tool free.
The Rifton Wave on the tub stand. Both stand and chair have slip-resistant feet for stability in the tub. The tub stand legs also fold flat for storage. Quick-release locks allow bath chair to be attached or removed from the tub stand without using tools.
Shower Stand
The shower stand allows you to roll your client into the shower stall at a height that enables better cleaning – and saves your back. It can be used with any of the three chair sizes and has rugged, smooth rolling, locking 4″ casters. Quick-release locks on the stand allow easy attachment and removal of chair.
The Wave bath chair on the shower stand.
Tub transfer base
The ingenious tub transfer base is ideal for the large or heavy user who needs an over-the-tub shower. It’s much more gentle on your back, too!
With the tub transfer base you start in the position farthest out of the tub and lower the client into the chair. Then you roll back over the tub and set the brakes.
As the upper portion with the bath chair is rotated 90° it moves approximately one foot back over the tub in one smooth motion.
Note: Take care to select the direction of the pivot, clockwise or counterclockwise, at the time of purchase. (The tub transfer base pictured pivots clockwise into the tub.)
The tub transfer base will fit most bath tubs up to 20″ high by adjusting the leg length to clear the edge of the tub.
With the Rifton tub transfer base you can perform healthy transfers – either manually or with a mechanical lift – without crowding your bathroom with permanently mounted equipment.
Rifton’s folding, storable tub transfer base makes it possible for everyone in the family to still use the tub.
When you are finished just remove the base from the tub, fold the legs…
Sizes & Dimensions
Use this dimensions chart to help you make the right choice for your client.
Important: Make sure that seat depth, width, and back height are adequate. The user’s weight must not exceed the maximum working load.
Key user dimensions (inches)
 Select the appropriate Wave bath chair by the user’s overall height. Choose the model that allows for growth. |
Small Wave (Z210)up to 46 (76 – 117 cm) |
Medium Wave (Z220) 40 – 56 (102 – 142 cm) |
Large Wave (Z230) 50 – 74 (127 – 188) |
Item Dimensions (inches) |
|||
| Seat height | 2 – 7
With Tub stand: 12½ – 18½ With Shower stand: 27½ With Tub transfer base (with standard leg inserts): 21 – 26 With Tub transfer base (with long leg inserts): 24½ – 29½ |
2 – 7
With Tub stand: 12½ – 18½ With Shower stand: 27½ With Tub transfer base (with standard leg inserts): 21 – 26 With Tub transfer base (with long leg inserts): 24½ – 29½ |
2 – 7
With Tub stand: 12½ – 18½ With Shower stand: 27½ With Tub transfer base (with standard leg inserts): 21 – 26 With Tub transfer base (with long leg inserts): 24½ – 29½ |
| Seat depth | 10½ | 13 | 17 |
| Seat width | 15 | 15 | 17½ |
| Back height | 23 | 26½ | 32 |
| Length of mesh area when flat | 35 (without calf rest) | 41 (without calf rest) | 50½ (without calf rest) |
| Length of mesh area when flat | 42½ (with calf rest) | 49 (with calf rest) | 61 (with calf rest) |
| Base width | 18 | 18 | 21 |
| Base length when flat | 29½ | 29½ | 29½ |
| Maximum working load (lbs) | 75 | 150 | 250 |
| Back and seat angle adjustments | 0˚, 15˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚, 75˚ | 0˚, 15˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚, 75˚ | 0˚, 15˚, 30˚, 45˚, 60˚, 75˚ |
| Tub Stand Dimensions | |
| Height (legs flat) | 8 |
| Length (legs flat) | 39 |
| Width | 17½ |
| Shower Stand Dimensions | |
| Height | 22 |
| Length | 34 |
| Width | 27 |
| Tub Transfer Base Dimensions | |
| Max. tub height for transfer base with standard leg inserts | 20 |
| Max. tub height for transfer base with long leg inserts | 24 |
| Length | 30 |
| Width | 28 |
Product Resources
Learn more about the Wave using the resources below.
Product Manual
The Wave brochure
Letter of medical necessity
