Transport; Using Your Wheelchair As A Seat In A Vehicle - Invacare Zipper 2 User Manual

23.1

Transport

INVACARE always advises that a wheelchair secured in a vehicle will not provide the equivalent level of safety
and security of vehicle seating systems and recommends transfer to the vehicle seating, but also recognizes
that it is not always practical for the user to be transferred. In those cases where it is considered that the user
must be transported whilst within the wheelchair, then the following advice should be followed.
1. Seek confirmation from the transporter that the vehicle is suitably designed and equipped to transport a
passenger seated in a wheelchair.
Note: The wheelchair user safety during transportation largely depends upon the diligence of the person
securing the tie downs and passenger restraints.
2. Any part of the wheelchair (accessories etc.) that can be easily detached should be removed and stored in
the vehicle luggage hold during transportation.
3. The wheelchair should always be transported in a forward facing direction. Rearward facing is only
acceptable if the occupant's head and back can be supported by a suitable bulkhead.
4. INVACARE recommends that the wheelchair be secured by 4-Point webbing tie down systems as
manufactured by Unwin Safety Systems or Koller Safety Restraint Engineers.
5. When attaching tie down systems to the wheelchair it is imperative these are fixed onto the main frame of
the wheelchair and not onto any attachments or accessories (not wheels, handrims, castors, footrests, anti
tipping levers etc.). Tie down points are indicated by the tie down stickers in the correct areas.
6. The tie downs should be secured, as close as possible, at an angle of 45° to ensure maximum effectiveness
of the restraint in all directions.
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