6.6 Negotiating ramps and slopes with an
assistant only
WARNING!
Risk due to wheelchair being out of control
When negotiating slopes or gradients your
wheelchair could tip backwards, forwards or
sideways.
– Always have an assistant behind the wheelchair
when approaching long slopes.
– Avoid lateral slopes.
– Avoid slopes of more than 7°.
CAUTION!
Your wheelchair could run away even on slightly
sloping ground if the assistant do not control his
walking speed.
– Use the parking brakes if your wheelchair is
stationary on sloping ground.
Going up slopes
To go up a slope, the assistant propels and controls the
direction at the same time.
1.
Bend your upper body forwards, the assistant propels
the wheelchair with a quick and powerful push.
Going down slopes
When going down slopes, the assistant controls the direction
and particularly the speed of the wheelchair.
1.
Lean back, the assistant should be able to stop the
wheelchair at any time by controlling his walk speed.
6.7 Stability and balance when seated
Some everyday activities and actions require you to lean
forwards, sideways or backwards out of the wheelchair. This
has a major effect on the wheelchair’s stability. To keep
your balance at all times, proceed as follows:
Leaning forwards
WARNING!
Risk of falling out
If you lean forwards out of the wheelchair you
could fall out of it.
– Never bend too far forwards and do not shift
forwards in your seat to reach an object.
– Do not bend forwards between your knees to
pick up something off the floor.
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