The user drives up to the flight of stairs and balances on the rear wheels. He places his hands far back with a strong grip on the push rims. Just when the push rims are on the way down to the next step, the wheelchair is tilted backwards, which moves the center of gravity backwards and downwards. He secures the wheelchair against the edge. When he lands on the step, the center of gravity is behind the plumb line of the drive wheel. A hard grip on the rims secures the wheelchair into position and locks the tires against the edge. Once he lands firmly on the step he corrects the position of the wheelchair by lowering the balance position and sliding back with his hands.
Description of technique according to the book ‘Drivkraft’ [Driving force] by Ake Norsten, see below.
Users comments
For a description of more driving techniques, see the book ‘Drivkraft körergononmi, rullstolsteknik & metodik’ [Driving force driving ergonomics, wheelchair techniques and methods] by Åke Norsten. The book is available in Swedish and may be ordered from Spinalis, spinalis.se/?lang=en or Aleris Rehabstation Stockholm, aleris.se/rehabstation (last checked December 2020).
Editors comments
NOTE! Mastering this technique requires a lot of practice under supervision.
User goes down a short flight of stairs without a handrail, filmed by Madeleine Stenius, Rehab Station Stockholm
User goes down a long flight of stairs without a handrail, filmed by Madeleine Stenius, Rehab Station Stockholm