Ride down an escalator in a wheelchair

Technique for people who have strong arms

Dela
Dela

User rides down an escalator, filmed by Madeleine Stenius, Rehab Station Stockholm

The user positions himself in front of the escalator with his back in the direction of travel, about 10 cm between the edge and the push rim. He backs up toward the escalator, adjusts the drive wheels so they do not stand between two steps and puts both arms with bent elbows on the escalator handrail. When the step is lowered he leans forward. When the stairs begin to level off, he raises his upper body and presses the wheelchair backwards with his arms.

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).