Moving On Slopes; Negotiating Steps Or Kerbs - Vermeiren 708D Instruction Manual

1. Release the brakes.
2. Take both hand rims at their highest position.
3. Lean forward and push the hand rims forward until straight arms.
4. Swing your arms loosely back to the hand rims topside and repeat the movement.

2.10 Moving on slopes

WARNING:
L Control your speed – Moving on slopes as slow as possible.
WARNING:
L Consider the capacities of your attendant – If your attendant does not
have enough force to control the wheelchair, put on the brakes.
WARNING:
L Risk of tipping over – Lean forward to move your centre of gravity
forward. To improve a better stability.

2.11 Negotiating steps or kerbs

2.11.1 Getting down steps or kerbs
Riding down low kerbs can be done moving forwards. Make sure that the foot rests do not
touch the ground.
Higher kerbs can be taken forward with an attendant:
1. Ask the attendant to tip the wheelchair slightly backwards.
2. Get past the kerbs while moving on the rear wheels.
3. Put the wheelchair back on the four wheels.
1. If available on the wheelchair, wear the safety belt.
2. Do not attempt moving on too high slopes. The maximum
slope angles (upwards and downwards) are mentioned in
table 1.
3. Ask an attendant to help you moving on the slope.
4. Lean forward to move your centre of gravity forward.
A practiced user can negotiate small steps or kerbs by himself:
WARNING:
Risk of tipping over – If you do not have
L
enough experience with your wheelchair, ask
assistance of an attendant.
1. Bring balance on the rear wheels to reduce the pressure on
the front wheels.
2. Negotiate the kerbs.
An experienced user can negotiate higher kerbs by himself. This is
best done backwards.
1. Turn the wheelchair to have the rear wheels facing the
kerb.
2. Lean forward to move your centre of gravity forward.
3. Move the wheelchair close to the kerbs.
4. Use the hand rim to roll-off wheelchair from the kerb in a
controlled manner.
Page 10
708D
2011-05