R Healthcare
8 & 9 Series
User Guide
Page
9
October 2013 Revision E
1.6
KERBS
Negotiating a kerb.
The methods described here involve an attendant controlling the
operation. Active users adopt balancing techniques carry out kerb
manoeuvres independently, but methods will vary according to the
setting of the chair, the physical strength of the user and skills acquired
through training and practice with wheelchair experts. See section 1.6
.
Going down a kerb:
The chair castors should be taken to the edge of the kerb. The pusher
should hold the chair handles firmly, pressing down on the tipping lever
and at the same time tilting the chair back.
see fig 5.
The rear wheels can then be taken to the kerb edge and the foot
removed from the tipping lever. The chair is then lowered down the
kerb on its rear wheels, with the castor wheels facing rearwards,
this
prevents them jamming up momentarily as the chair starts to move
,
before pivoting the chair gently to the ground, to face direction of travel
and then pushing forward.
Note:
The chair must not be tipped forward or the occupant may fall
out. When stabilisers have been fitted, this operation is more
difficult to control, and extra care should be taken.
Going up a kerb. First method.
The chair footplates, or occupant feet if longer, should be taken to just
in front of the kerb edge. The pusher should hold the chair handles
firmly, pressing down on the tipping lever, tilting the chair backwards
using body weight leverage, bringing chair forward till the back wheels
touch the kerb.
The front castors wheels can then be lowered down onto the path,
making sure that the wheels are facing rearwards. With the push
handles held firmly the attendant should now lift and push the chair.
Going up a kerb. Second method.
The chair should be turned round so that the back wheels are against
the kerb and the attendant should hold the pushing handles firmly and
tip the chair backwards.
Using body weight as leverage the attendant should then pull the chair
off the kerb and up onto the pavement, making sure, as above that the
castor wheels are facing rearwards .
The chair may then be pivoted to face the direction of travel and
pushed forward.
