9
Climbing over a pavement
Climbing a pavement forward:
Note: this technique is recommended only for expert wheelchair users.
- Bring the wheelchair close to the pavement curb.
- Balance the wheelchair on the rear wheels in such a way to raise the castors and go over the curb. Push the
rear wheels while leaning your body forward.
Climbing forward with an attendant's help:
- The attendant must tilt the wheelchair backwards, using also the tilt-lever, to slightly raise the castors
over the pavement curb.
- Hold the push handles tightly while the rear wheels climb over the curb.
Climbing a pavement backwards:
Note: this technique should be used only if the pavement is low. It is necessary to take into consideration
also the footrests height.
- Turn the wheelchair with the rear part facing the pavement curb.
- Push the rear wheels while leaning your body forward.
Climbing backwards with an attendant's help
- The attendant must pull the wheelchair back until it touches the pavement curb.
- Then tilt the wheelchair backwards, using also the tilt-lever, to raise the castors off the ground.
- Finally pull the wheelchair up and pull it back. Make sure that all four wheels have climbed over the obstacle,
before “lowering” the wheelchair.
Getting off a pavement
Getting off a pavement facing forward:
Note: this technique is recommended only for expert wheelchair users.
- Bring the wheelchair close to the pavement curb.
- Balance the wheelchair on the rear wheels in such a way to slightly raise the castors.
- Get slowly off the pavement and then “lower” the castors on the ground.
Getting off forward with an attendant's help:
- The attendant must tilt the wheelchair backwards, using also the tilt-lever, to raise the castors off the ground.
- Get off the pavement very slowly and then “lower” the castors on the ground.
Getting off a pavement facing backwards:
Note: this technique is NOT recommended when the curb is higher than 10 cm.
- Pull back the wheelchair to the pavement curb.
- Pull back slowly and at the same time lean your body forward.
Pay the utmost attention while carrying out this operation to avoid the risk of tipping over.
Getting off backwards with an attendant's help:
- Reverse the wheelchair to the pavement curb.
- Get slowly off the pavement and reverse slowly until the castors have cleared the obstacle.
- “Lower” all the wheels on the ground.
