4 SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIRS
26
4.6
Stairways
Follow this procedure for moving the wheelchair between floors when an elevator is not available:
Moving Up Stairs
1.
If necessary, rotate the anti-tippers so the wheels are facing up.
2.
One assistant (positioned behind the wheelchair), securely grasps a non-removable (non-detachable) part of the wheelchair for leverage and tilts
the wheelchair back to the balance point.
3.
After the wheelchair has been tilted back to the balance point, the assistant behind the wheelchair backs the wheelchair up against the first step.
4.
The second assistant (positioned in the front of the wheelchair), with a firm hold on a non-detachable part of the framework, lifts the wheelchair
up and on to the next stair above and steadies the wheelchair as the assistant behind the wheelchair places one foot on the next stair above and
repeats process.
5.
The wheelchair should not be lowered until the last stair has been negotiated and the wheelchair has been rolled away from the stairway.
6.
If necessary, rotate the anti-tippers so the wheels are facing down.
Moving Down Stairs
1.
If necessary, rotate the anti-tippers so the wheels are facing up.
2.
One assistant (positioned behind the wheelchair), securely grasps a non-removable (non-detachable) part of the wheelchair for leverage and tilts
the wheelchair back to the balance point.
3.
After the wheelchair has been tilted back to the balance point, the assistant behind the wheelchair rolls the wheelchair up to the edge of the first
step.
WARNING
Extreme caution is advised when it is necessary to move an occupied or unoccupied wheelchair up or down the stairs.
Invacare recommends that, if possible, the user be removed from the wheelchair prior to moving. Invacare recommends
using two assistants and making thorough preparations. Make sure to use only secure, non-detachable parts for hand-held
supports.
