24
13:5 Negotiating stairs, up
Always ask for help. Never
travel on an escalator, even if
there are care givers available.
We always recommend using
two carers for this transfer. One
who walks behind and holds
on to the push handle and
one who walks in front and
holds on to the frame (or in the
legrests if these are lockable).
With care giver, backwards:
• Flip up the anti-tips and ensure that
height adjustable push handles are
properly tightened.
• Reverse the wheelchair to the first
step.
• Tilt the chair onto its rear wheels,
using the tilter if necessary.
• Pull the wheelchair slowly upwards,
one step at a time, keeping the
wheelchair balanced on its rear
wheels at all times.
13 Driving technique, settings manoeuvring
The following constitutes important ad-
vice for driving up or downhill to avoid
the risk of tipping.
(!)
Avoid turning round in the
middle of a hill.
Always drive as straight up/
down as possible.
It is better to ask for help than
to take a risk on your own.
Uphill driving:
Lean forwards to cor-
rect your centre of balance.
Downhill driving:
Lean against the
backrest to correct your centre of bal-
ance. Control your speed using the
handrims, not by means of the brakes!
If you need to stop on a slope and apply
the brakes, it can feel as if the brake
levers have jammed when you try to
release them again.
Uphill slope:
Push the handrim forward
as you release the brake.
Downhill slope:
Brace your weight
against the handrim as you release the
brake.
With a care giver:
Push the wheelchair
gently forward or brace your weight
against it as the brakes are released.
Experienced wheelchair users:
”Rock”
your upper body as the brakes are re-
leased.
• When the last step has been cleared,
continue backwards so that the
castor wheels are over the ground
before setting down the wheelchair
onto all four wheels.
Lower the anti-tips again after
completed transfer.
(!)
The care givers should remem-
ber to use the strength in their
legs and to keep their backs as
straight as possible while lifting.
13:4 Driving technique, inclined surface
