SECTION 2—SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIRS
17
WARNING
Extreme caution is advised when it is necessary to move an occupied 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.
NOTE:
For
this
procedure,
refer
to
FIGURE
2.5.
Follow
this
procedure
for
moving
the
wheelchair
between
floors
when
an
elevator
is
not
available:
1. If
necessary,
rotate
the
anti
‐
tippers
so
the
wheels
are
facing
up.
2. After
the
wheelchair
has
been
tilted
back
to
the
balance
point,
one
assistant
(in
the
rear)
backs
the
wheelchair
up
against
the
first
step,
while
securely
grasping
a
non
‐
removable
(non
‐
detachable)
part
of
the
wheelchair
for
leverage.
3. The
second
assistant,
with
a
firm
hold
on
a
non
‐
detachable
part
of
the
framework,
lifts
the
wheelchair
up
and
over
the
stair
and
steadies
the
wheelchair
as
the
first
assistant
places
one
foot
on
the
next
stair
and
repeats
STEP
1.
FIGURE 2.5
4. The
wheelchair
should
not
be
lowered
until
the
last
stair
has
been
negotiated
and
the
wheelchair
has
been
rolled
away
from
the
stairway.
5. If
necessary,
rotate
the
anti
‐
tippers
so
the
wheels
are
facing
down.
Escalators
WARNING
DO NOT use an escalator to move a wheelchair between floors. Serious bodily
injury may occur.
