1. To go down stairs, the stronger assistant should in back of the wheelchair. The individual in the wheelchair should be positioned facing down the stairs since their body weight will be tipped back. 2. If the occupant of the wheelchair does not have a safety belt already attached, be sure to secure the individual with a scarf, belt, rope, or whatever may be available. 3. If the footrests are removed, be sure they are evacuated also. 4. The assistant in back of the wheelchair should tilt the wheelchair backward by grabbing the push handles, placing a foot on the tipping lever, and pushing down until the front wheels are well off the floor. The wheelchair should now be balanced and movable on its rear wheels. 5. The assistant in front of the chair should firmly grasp the frame of the wheelchair when it is tipped back. Do not grasp the removable armrest or footrest unless they are locked securely. These may become detached. 6. The assistant at the back of the wheelchair should stand with his/her feet apart for a wide balanced base of support. Then, the assistant should bend at the knees and lean back. This helps control the downward motion of the wheelchair as it is being lowered one step at a time. 7. The assistant in front helps control the downward motion. Do not lift, just guide the chair forward. Roll the large wheels over the edge of the step, controlling the forward and downward movement of the wheelchair against the edge of the step. 8. Repeat for each step, repositioning and resting as necessary. |
Evacuation in a Manual Wheelchair (with
two assistants)