Wheelchairs have changed many people's lives by allowing them the freedom to go where they want and when they want. Throughout the years, wheelchair accessibility has grown, between ramps, elevators, designated parking spaces and more. As much as things have gotten better, there are still challenges with using a manual wheelchair, such as tackling hills. Going downhill in a manual wheelchair must be done carefully, or it could be dangerous. In this blog post, we're going to look at 5 mistakes that lead to tipping when going downhill and how to prevent tipping.
5 Mistakes That Lead To Tipping Your Wheelchair Going Downhill
1. Leaning Too Far Back or Forward
When going downhill, many people will have the instinct to lean. Many users will lean back, thinking it'll slow down the chair, or lean forward thinking it will help with balance. Leaning too far can make the drive manual wheelchair unbalanced, which poses a risk of tipping.
Solution: Keep yourself balanced and sitting upright. Don't shift your weight abruptly. Remain calm and if you need to slow down, carefully use your brakes on hands.
2. Not Controlling Speed with Brakes or Hands
Speed can become a factor in your manual wheelchair tipping over. Many people may panic or hesitate to control their speed by using the brakes or by using their hands to slow down.
Solution: Use the handrims to slow down and gain control of the speed of the manual wheelchair. To master going downhill, take time to get yourself comfortable with smaller slopes. Learn to control your speed. Then when you find yourself going downhill, you'll know how to control the speed by using the brakes or handrims on your manual wheelchair.
3. Taking Steep Hills Without Proper Equipment
Many people will go somewhere knowing they'll be faced with steep hills and don't properly plan for the equipment they may need. Attempting to go down a steep hill on a trail, for example, may lead to tipping if you use your drive manual wheelchair. That manual wheelchair is not made for that kind of use.
Solution: Plan for your trip. If you know you'll be going on rough terrain, plan on using a manual all terrain wheelchair. A manual all terrain wheelchair is made specifically for rough terrain. With bigger wheels, a different center of gravity, wider & treaded wheels, double frames, and anti tip bars. Using a manual all terrain wheelchair for terrain like grass, sand, gravel, dirt, and even snow will keep you safer, yet allow you to enjoy your activities.
4. Failing to Use a Spotter When Needed
Some people will either be too confident in going downhill with their manual wheelchair or may be embarrassed to ask for help. Failing to use a spotter when needed may risk the manual wheelchair tipping and you getting injured.
Solution: When in doubt, ask. It's better to ask for help than to be sorry. If you haven't taken the time to practice going downhill, you should ask for help. If you are unfamiliar with the hill, better to ask for help. If you can't determine the slope amount, ask for help.
5. Ignoring Accessibility Tools Like Portable Ramps
Even though many places have become more wheelchair accessible, sometimes you might find yourself faced with stairs, curbs, and other drop offs. Sometimes people will try to overcome these obstacles with just their manual wheelchair. Trying to go down stairs, curbs, and drop offs is very risky.
Solution: Invest in portable wheelchair ramps. Portable wheelchair ramps can help you go down stairs, over curbs, and drop-offs. Portable wheelchair ramps are lightweight, foldable, and easy to transport. These portable wheelchair ramps are small enough to place inside of a backpack, which can then rest on the back of your manual wheelchair. Never get caught off guard with areas that are not wheelchair accessible with portable wheelchair ramps.
Tips For Specific Wheelchairs
The different types of wheelchairs may handle better or worse than other manual wheelchairs. Here are some extra tips for specific manual wheelchairs in handling downhills.
Lightweight Manual Wheelchair
If you use a lightweight manual wheelchair, they are easy to maneuver and have responsive handling. Because the lightweight manual wheelchair is meant more for traveling and less rugged use, they are at a higher risk of tipping and are harder to control the speed when going downhill. Here are some tips that may help if you need to go downhill in your lightweight manual wheelchair.
1. Sit Back but Not Too Far
This is a tricky one, but keep your weight centered and slightly back to prevent tipping forward. Don't lean too far back, though, or you risk tipping the other way.
2. Control Speed with Your Hands
Carefully try to slow down the speed with the handrims. Avoid grabbing too tightly, or you could burn your hands or jolt the chair. (if your lightweight manual wheelchair has handrims)
3. Go in a Zigzag (S-curve) Pattern on Steep Slopes
If the hill is steep, don't go straight down. Instead, descend diagonally in an S-shape to reduce speed and control your direction.
4. Ask for Help
Don't be afraid to ask for help, especially if you are using a lightweight manual wheelchair. If your lightweight manual wheelchair doesn't have handrims, then it's recommended to have someone help you downhill regardless.
5. Know Your Limits and Your Terrain
Lightweight chairs are best for paved paths and sidewalks. Avoid loose gravel, dirt, or steep curbs unless your chair is rated for that. If you plan on going outdoors, consider a manual all terrain wheelchair like the Hippocampe instead (learn more about the Hippocampe towards the end of this blog).
Lightweight Transport Wheelchair
Going downhill with a lightweight transport wheelchair must be taken with extra precaution. The lightweight transport wheelchair is not for independent use, so you must have someone help you downhills. Do not attempt to use a lightweight transport wheelchair if you are alone, if the hill is steep, uneven, or lacks a proper path, or if the chair doesn't have working brakes. If you are a caregiver or helping someone go downhill who has a lightweight transport wheelchair, here are tips to getting them down safely:
Keep the Chair Tilted Slightly Back
Gently tip the front wheels slightly off the ground (wheelie position) to avoid the caster wheels catching or flipping on steep slopes.
Descend Slowly
Walk slowly and stand upright. If you slouch or hunch with the lightweight transport wheelchair, you could easily let gravity take control, making it hard for you to descend slowly.
Avoid Uneven Terrain
Lightweight transport wheelchairs are made for flat, paved surfaces only. Do not try to push the lightweight transport wheelchair on uneven terrain. The wheels may stop suddenly or tip.
Drive Manual Wheelchair
When used properly, you can get down hills okay in a drive manual wheelchair, as long as you aren't going on something extreme such as a very steep incline or very rough terrain. Most drive manual wheelchairs have solid build quality and reliable rear wheel handrims for manual control. Some drive manual wheelchair models include wheel locks or braking options, which will be helpful in controlling speed. The standard weight gives better stability than the lightweight chairs.
1. Keep Your Weight Centered
The drive manual wheelchair is designed with the center of gravity in the middle. Sit upright and avoid leaning too far forward or backward.
2. Control Speed with Handrims
Use the handrims to slow down. Apply even pressure with both hands to stay straight. Uneven braking can make you veer off course.
3. Use Wheel Locks as a Backup; Not the Brakes
Using the brakes will cause a sudden stop, which will fling you out of your wheelchair, so you'll want to use the wheel locks as a backup.
4. Avoid Sudden Movements
Don't try to stop suddenly, don't jerk the wheels, and don't try to turn suddenly. Sudden turns can cause the front wheels to catch or the chair to tip sideways.
5. Have a Spotter If Needed
If you need help, don't be afraid to ask.
The Best Manual All Terrain Wheelchair
There is one manual all terrain wheelchair that stands out from the rest. It's versatile and has many accessories to help you navigate through different terrain. This manual all terrain wheelchair allows you to use the chair for yourself or you can have a spotter help you.
Hippocampe
The Hippocampe wheelchair is one of the best manual all terrain wheelchairs. It's lightweight, yet durable. It only weighs about 37 lbs and is made out of corrosion-resistant aluminum and stainless steel frame. The frame is able to go into the water, and floats when the user is not in the chair. The Hippocampe is perfect to take out even to the beach. With the wide, low-pressure wheels, the Hippocampe can easily take on the sandy beach. If you want to move with less effort on the sandy terrain, there are the optional balloon wheels. These wheels are what makes the Hippocampe an all terrain wheelchair. It can handle not only sand, but gravel, grass, hiking trails, and even snow! The Hippocampe wheelchair is excellent for handling downhills in outdoor environments, if used correctly. It's not built for steep urban ramps or tight indoor inclines, but it excels on natural, uneven slopes.