VA Health Care Wheelchair Manual Handbook - page 10
10
Helpful Hints:
If your front wheels lift off the ramp or hill, it is too steep for you to go up alone –
get help.
If you need to rest while going up a hill or ramp, turn sideways to the slope.
If you use your feet to help propel the wheelchair, try going up backwards!
If you push up hills often, ask your therapist about a hill-climbing device to stop
the wheels from rolling backward between pushes.
When going down a ramp:
1. By
yourself
:
Use your hands to put pressure on the rear wheels to
slow the wheelchair down.
For extra safety, you may want someone to walk
alongside and just in front of the wheelchair.
2. With a helper
:
Your helper should hold onto the push handles and pull
back to reduce your speed.
Helpful Hints
There are 2 main risks going down a ramp – falling forward out of the wheelchair
and losing control of the wheelchair, so….
a. Shift your weight back when going down hill.
b. Wear a seat belt.
c. Going slowly will help you keep control of the wheelchair.
d. Be careful your footrests have enough clearance at the bottom of the
ramp, because if your footrests catch it could tip you over.