Invacare Comet Owner's Operating And Maintenance Manual page 8

SAFETY/HANDLING
SAFETY/HANDLING OF WHEELCHAIR/STROLLERS
S
A
TILTING - CURBS:
F
After mastering the techniques of tilting the
E
wheelchair/stroller, use this procedure to tackle
T
curbs, short stairs, etc.
Y
METHOD 1 - WHEELCHAIR/STROLLER WITH
H
STEP TUBES
A
N
The first assistant should turn the anti-tippers so
that the wheels are pointing upward, apply a con-
D
tinuous downward motion until the balance point is
L
achieved and the casters clear the curb. At this
I
point, the assistant will feel a difference in the weight
N
distribution.
G
Roll the wheelchair/stroller forward and slowly lower
the wheelchair/stroller in one continuous movement
onto the sidewalk. Do not let the wheelchair/stroller
drop the last few inches to the ground. This could
result in injury to the occupant. Push the wheel-
chair/stroller forward until the rear wheels roll up
and over the curb.
METHOD 1 - WHEELCHAIR/STROLLER WITH
Make sure that the anti-tippers wheels are point-
ing down towards the ground/floor BEFORE
using the wheelchair/stroller.
Turn the anti-tipper wheels down towards the
ground/floor.
STEP TUBES
WARNING
METHOD 2 - WHEELCHAIR/STROLLERS
WITHOUT STEP TUBES
Unless the first assistant has exceptional upper
body strength, it is recommended that METHOD 2
use two (2) assistants. The second assistant should
be positioned at the front of the wheelchair/stroller
lifting upward on a non-removable (non-detachable)
part of the wheelchair/stroller frame when lifting the
wheelchair/stroller and stabilizing the wheelchair/
stroller when the wheelchair/stroller is being low-
ered to the ground.
The first assistant should turn the anti-tippers so
that the wheels are pointing upward. The first
assistant should then stand on the sidewalk and
turn the wheelchair/stroller so that the rear wheels
are against the curb.
The wheelchair/stroller should be tilted back to the
balance point and, in one continuous downward
movement, the rear wheels should be pulled up
and over the curb. DO NOT return the casters to
the ground until the wheelchair/stroller has been
pulled backward far enough for the casters to clear
the edge of the curb.
WARNING
Make sure that the anti-tippers wheels are point-
ing down towards the ground/floor BEFORE
using the wheelchair/stroller.
Turn the anti-tipper wheels down towards the
ground/floor.
METHOD 2 - WHEELCHAIR/STROLLER
WITHOUT STEP TUBE
8
(Cont.)