10
MV01-94000-00
Rev C
Ramps, Slopes and Side Hills
WARNING: Riding on a slope, which includes a ramp or side hill, will change the center of
gravity of your wheelchair. Your wheelchair is less stable when it is at an angle. Anti-tip
bars may not prevent a fall or tip-over.
1.
Do not use your wheelchair on a slope steeper than 10%. (A 10% slope means: one
foot in elevation for every ten feet of slope length.)
2.
Always go as straight up and as straight down as you can. Do not cut the corner on a
slope or ramp.
3.
Do not turn or change direction on a slope.
4.
Always stay in the center of the ramp. Make sure the ramp is wide enough that you are
not at risk of a wheel going over the edge.
5.
Do not stop on a steep slope. Stopping may cause you to lose control of your wheelchair.
6.
NEVER use rear wheel locks to try to slow or stop your wheelchair. Your wheelchair
might veer out of control.
7.
BEWARE OF:
a.
Wet or slippery surfaces.
b.
A change in grade on a slope, or a bump, a depression, or a lip. Any of those may
cause a fall or tip-over.
c.
A drop-off at the bottom of a slope. Even small obstacles can stop your front caster
and cause the wheelchair to tip forward.
8.
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A FALL OR TIP-OVER:
a.
Lean or press your body UPHILL. This will help adjust for the change in the center of
gravity caused by the slope or side hill.
b.
Keep pressure on the push rims to control your speed on the down slope. IF YOU GO
TOO FAST YOU MAY LOSE CONTROL.
c.
Ask for help any time you are in doubt.
9. Ramps at home and work must meet all legal requirements for your jurisdiction.
Failure to heed these warnings could result in damage to your wheelchair, injury to yourself,
a fall, a tip-over and/or loss of control, causing severe injury to yourself or others.
Transfer
WARNING: It is dangerous to transfer on your own. It requires good balance and agility.
Be aware that there is a point during every transfer when the wheelchair seat is not below
you.
TO AVOID A FALL
1.
Work with your health care professional to learn safe methods.
a.
Learn how to position your body and how to support yourself during a transfer.
b.
Have someone help you until you know how to do a safe transfer on your own.
2.
Lock the rear wheels before you transfer. Although this will prevent the rear wheels from
turning, this does not guarantee that your wheelchair will not slide away from you or tip
over.
3.
Make sure to keep pneumatic tires properly inflated. Low tire pressure may cause the
rear wheel locks to slip.
4.
Move your wheelchair as close as you can to the seat you are transferring to or from the
wheelchair. Use a transfer board, if one is available.
5.
Rotate the front casters until they are forward.