Transportation
A wheelchair secured in a vehicle will not provide the equivalent
level of safety and security of a vehicle seating system. It is always
recommended that the user transfers to the vehicle seating. It is
recognised that this is not always practical for the user to be trans-
ferred and in these circumstances where the user must be trans-
ported whilst in the wheelchair the following advice should be follo-
wed.
1. Confirm that the vehicle is suitably equipped to transport a pas-
senger in a wheelchair, and ensure the method of access/egress
is suitable for your wheelchair type. The vehicle should have the
floor strength to take the combined weight of the user, the wheel
chair and accessories.
2. Sufficient space should be available around the wheelchair to
enable clear access to attach, tighten and release the wheelchair
and occupant tie down restraints and safety belts.
3. The occupied wheelchair must be located in a forward facing
position and secured by the wheelchair tie down and occupant
restraint straps (WTORS tie downs) meeting the requirements of
ISO 10542 or SAE J2249, in accordance with the WTORS manu-
facturers' instructions.
4. The wheelchair's use in other positions within a vehicle has not
been tested e.g. transportation in a side facing position must not
be carried out under any circumstances. (Fig19)
Warning
There is a risk of serious injury or death if this if this
advice is ignored.
5. The wheelchair should be secured by a Tie Down Restraint
system, conforming to ISO 10542 or SAE J2249 with non-adju-
stable front straps and adjustable rear straps, which typically use
Karabiner clips/S hooks and tongue and buckle fittings. These
restraints generally comprise of 4 individual straps that are atta-
ched to each corner of the wheelchair.
6. The tie-down restraints should be fitted to the main frame of the
wheelchair as indicated in the diagram on the following page,
and not to any attachments or accessories, e.g. not around the
spokes of wheels, brakes or footrests.
7. The tie–down restraints should be attached as close as possible
at an angle of 45 degrees and tightened securely in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
8. Alterations or substitutions must not be made to the wheelchair
securement points or to structural
and frame or components without
consulting the manufacturer. Failu-
re to do so will invalidate the abili-
ty of a Sunrise Medical wheelchair
to be transported within a vehicle.
9. Both pelvic and upper torso
restraint belts must be used to
restrain the occupant to reduce
the possibility of head and chest
impacts with the vehicle compo-
nents and serious risk of injury to
the user and other vehicle occu-
pants. (Fig 20) The upper torso
restraint belt should be mounted
to the vehicle "B" pillar - failure to
do so will increase the risk of
serious abdominal injuries to the
user.
14
Breezy Relax/Quickie Relax
10. A head restraint suitable for transportation (see label on hea-
drest) must be fitted and suitably positioned at all times during
transportation.
11. Postural supports (lap straps, lap belts) should not be used or
relied on for occupant restraint in a moving vehicle unless they
are labelled as meeting the requirements specified in ISO 7176-
19:2001 or SAE J2249.
12. The safety of the user during transportation depends upon the
diligence of the person securing the tie-down restraints and
they should have received appropriate instructions and/or trai-
ning in their use.
13. Wherever possible remove and stow safely away from the
wheelchair all auxiliary equipment, for example:
Crutches
Loose cushions
Tray Tables
14. Articulating/elevating leg rest should not be used in the eleva-
ted position when the wheelchair and user are being transpor-
ted and the wheelchair is restrained using Wheelchair Transport
and Occupant Restraints.
15. Reclining backrests should be returned to an upright position.
16. The manual brakes must be firmly applied.
Occupant Retraints Instruction
1. The pelvic restraint belt must be worn low across the front of the
pelvis so that the angle of the pelvic belt is within the preferred
zone of 30 to 75 degrees to the horizontal.
A steeper (greater) angle within the preferred zone is desirable
i.e. closer to, but never exceeding 75degrees. (Fig 21)
2. The upper torso restraint belt must fit over the shoulder and
across the chest as illustrated Fig 22 and Fig 23.
Restraint belts must be adjusted as tightly as possible consistent
with user comfort.
Restraint belt webbing must not be twisted when in use.
The upper torso restraint belt must fit over the shoulder and
across the shoulder as illustrated in Fig 22 and Fig 23.
Restraints should be mounted to the vehicle "B" pillar and
should not be held away from the body by wheelchair compo-
nents such as armrest or wheels.
1009/3/ST-000690xxx.EMS