About this topic
Sometimes people in wheelchairs cannot avoid going over curbs or up and down steps. The most important thing is to keep the person in the wheelchair safe. It is also important not to hurt yourself when you are helping them. Some general safety tips include: ‚
- Make sure the passengers feet are on the foot rests.
- Use a seat belt if there is one.
- Remove any bags or other objects that may be hanging from the wheelchair.
- You may need extra help if the steps are steep or the person in the wheelchair is heavy. You do not want to hurt yourself or the person in the wheelchair as a result of trying to do it yourself.
General
- Going up a curb
- Line up the front wheels of the chair with the curb. This way, both front wheels will go up the curb at the same time.
- Push down on the handles of the wheelchair to slowly tilt the wheelchair backwards. You may also need to push down on one of the anti-tilt bars with your foot if the person in the wheelchair is heavy.
- Only tilt the wheelchair back far enough to get the front wheels on the curb.
- Push the back wheels up and over the curb.
- Going down a curb
- Back up to the curb so the back wheels are at the curb.
- Line up the back wheels of the wheelchair with the curb. This way, both back wheels will go down the curb at the same time.
- Step down off of the curb and pull the wheelchair close to the edge of the curb.
- Slowly lower the back wheels down the curb at the same time.
- Pull backwards on the handles and gently lower the front wheels down.
- Steps
- Use 2 people to move a wheelchair on the steps.
- One person should be in the front and hold onto the frame of the wheelchair. Do not hold onto the footrests. The other person will be in the back and will hold onto the handles.
- Discuss how you will both know to lift up at the same time, such as counting to 3.
- Take extra care to use good posture and proper lifting techniques. Bend your knees and lift with your legs and not your back. Do not twist when bending.
- Going down steps
- Line up the front wheels with the top step.
- One person is on the steps with their feet staggered on different steps below the wheelchair. The person at the top of the steps holds the handles.
- Together, you gently tip the wheelchair back onto its back wheels. Slowly lower the back wheels down one step at a time.
- When you reach the bottom, set the front wheels down on the floor again.
- Going up steps
- Line up the back wheels with the bottom step.
- One person holds the handles and is on the steps. They have one foot on the step just above the wheelchair and the other two steps above the wheelchair. The other person stands in front of the wheelchair with their hands on the frame.
- Together, you gently tip the wheelchair back onto its back wheels. Slowly lift the wheelchair up one step at a time.
- The person in the wheelchair may be able to help by pulling back on the push rim when going up the steps.
- When all the wheels have cleared the top step, set the front wheels down on the floor again.
Where can I learn more?
Canadian Red Cross ‚
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/DownloadAsset?assetId=DD02E653C4BD4B09BB218CF8B980AA63 ‚
Hertfordshire Action on Disability ‚
http://www.hadnet.org.uk/multimedia/_shop95/Shop/Mobility/Wheelchairs/Files/wheelchair-roma-sp_988_4.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚