45
ENGLISH
Argon
2
Rev.C
DANGER !
There is a risk of serious injury or death if this if this
advice is ignored!
Transportation Of Your Wheelchair Within A Vehicle.
A wheelchair secured in a vehicle will not provide the
equivalent level of safety and security as a vehicle seating
system. It is always recommended that the user transfers
to the vehicle seating. It is recognised that this is not
always practical for the user to be transferred and in these
circumstances, where the user must be transported whilst
in the wheelchair, the following advice must be followed:
DANGER !
•
Confirm that your chair is crashtest suitable (see
nameplate or crashtest bracket at the rear of the chair
(Fig.I)
•
Confirm that the vehicle is suitably equipped to
transport a passenger in a wheelchair, and ensure the
method of access/egress is suitable for your
wheelchair type. The vehicle should have the floor
strength to take the combined weight of the user, the
wheel chair and accessories.
•
Sufficient space should be available around the
wheelchair to enable clear access to attach, tighten
and release the wheelchair and occupant tie down
restraints and safety belts.
•
The occupied wheelchair must be located in a forward
facing position and secured by the wheelchair tie
down and occupant restraint straps (WTORS tie
downs meeting the requirements of ISO 10542 or
SAE J2249) in accordance with the WTORS
manufacturer’s instructions.
•
The wheelchair’s use in other positions within a
vehicle has not been tested e.g. transportation in a
side facing position must not be carried out under any
circumstances (Fig. A).
•
The wheelchair should be secured by a Tie Down
Restraint system, conforming to ISO 10542 or SAE
J2249 with non-adjustable front straps and adjustable
rear straps, which typically use Karabiner clips/S
hooks and tongue and buckle fittings. These restraints
generally comprise of 4 individual straps that are
attached to each corner of the wheelchair.
9.0 Transportability
•
The tie-down restraints should be fitted to the main
frame of the wheelchair as indicated in the diagram on
the following page, and not to any attachments or
accessories, e.g. not around the spokes of wheels,
brakes or footrests.
•
The tie–down restraints should be attached as close as
possible at an angle of 45 degrees and tightened
securely in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions.
•
Alterations or substitutions must not be made to the
wheelchair securement points or to structural and frame
or components without consulting the manufacturer.
Failure to do so will invalidate the ability of a Sunrise
Medical wheelchair to be transported within a vehicle.
•
Both pelvic and upper torso restraint belts must be used
to restrain the occupant to reduce the possibility of head
and chest impacts with the vehicle components and
serious risk of injury to the user and other vehicle
occupants. (Fig B) The upper torso restraint belt should
be mounted to the vehicle “B” pillar - failure to do so will
increase the risk of serious abdominal injuries to the
user.
•
A head restraint suitable for transportation (see label on
headrest) must be fitted and suitably positioned at all
times during transportation.
•
Postural supports (lap straps, lap belts) should not be
used or relied on for occupant restraint in a moving
vehicle unless they are labelled as meeting the
requirements specified in ISO 7176-19:2001 or SAE
J2249.
•
The safety of the user during transportation depends
upon the diligence of the person securing the tie-down
restraints and they should have received appropriate
instructions and/or training in their use.
•
Wherever possible remove and stow safely away from
the wheelchair all auxiliary equipment, for example:
•
Crutches, Loose cushions and Tray Tables.
•
Articulating/elevating leg rest should not be used in the
elevated position when the wheelchair and user are
being transported and the wheelchair is restrained using
Wheelchair Transport and Occupant Restraints.
•
Reclining backrests should be returned to an upright
position.
•
The manual brakes must be firmly applied.
•
Restraints should be mounted to the vehicle “B” pillar
and should not be held away from the body by
wheelchair components such as armrest or wheels.
Fig.A
Fig.B
