Safest Way to Go Down Incline or Ramp in Wheelchair

Wheelchairs are the main mode of transportation for some disabled or injured people, and knowing how to safely move around in a wheelchair can take some getting used to. One place accidents can happen is going down inclines or wheelchair ramps. There are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure you get safely down the ramps.

Check for Obstacles

• All ramps are not created equal. Look over the ramp or incline that you are about to traverse and check it for obstacles that may pose a danger to you and your chair.
  Debris strewn on the ramp or cracks in poorly maintained ramps can cause problems as you try to get from the top to the bottom.
  Look at the bottom end of the ramp where it meets the pathway and see if it is a smooth transition or if it has a bad design that will require you to ease over a large bump or crevice.

Shift Weight

• Shift your body weight to the back of your chair and do not lean forward. Proceed slowly down the ramp, especially if you are new to using your wheelchair, and sit back in your chair to avoid tipping forward. This could cause major injury. Once you have become accustomed to slowly proceeding down an incline very slowly, you will be able to move more quickly as you get comfortable with it. Always keep some pressure on the push rims and do not allow the chair to roll freely--it will get up to an uncontrollable speed more quickly than you may realize.

Be Aware of Footrests

• Take the angle of decline in the ramp into consideration, along with the height of your footrests.
  When the wheelchair reaches the bottom of the ramp and attempts to level out, lower positioned footrests may snag the ground and cause you to be thrown out of your chair in a forward direction. If the ramp is properly graded, then this should not be a problem. Proceed slowly down a ramp you have not previously encounterd until you are sure your footrests clear the landing.

Practice and Seek Help

• Practice going down ramps with a helper or spotter. Try rolling down small ramps at first and then gradually take on steeper ramps until you no longer feel comfortable doing it alone. This will prepare you for times when you encounter steep ramps that require help. Always ask for help if you are not completely confident in your ability to descend the ramp alone.

Dangerous Ramp Features

• Check for ramps or inclines that are improperly made or dangerous. Signs that a ramp is unsafe include a steepness when the height of the ramp rises more than one inch in less than 12 inches of length, landings at the top or bottom of a ramp that are not level with the ground, absence of transitions at the landings or surfaces that are not made of non-skid material.