7.3 The wheelchair as a passenger seat
A wheelchair secured in a vehicle will not provide the
equivalent level of safety and security as a vehicle seating
system. Sunrise Medical recommends that the user transfers
to the vehicle seating and uses the vehicle-installed restraint
system wherever possible. Sunrise Medical recognizes that it is
not always practical for the user to be transferred and in these
circumstances, where the user must be transported whilst in
the wheelchair, the following advice must be followed:
DANGER!
• 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 training in their use.
• Wherever possible remove and stow safely away from the
wheelchair all auxiliary equipment, e.g. : crutches, loose
cushions, tray tables, etc.
i. Removed and secured separately in the vehicle, or
ii. Secured to the wheelchair, but with energy-absorbing
padding placed between the table and the user.
• Articulating/elevating leg rest should not be used in the
elevated position when the wheelchair and user are being
transported.
• If applicable: Reclining backrests should be returned to an
upright position.
• If applicable: Seat elevators should be in the lowest position.
• If applicable: The manual brakes must be firmly applied.
Occupant restraint Instruction
DANGER!
• Use a 3-point occupant restraint system to secure the
occupant.
• 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 components.
• Restraints should be mounted to the appropriate vehicle
pillar and should not be held away from the body by
wheelchair components such as armrest or wheels (Fig.
7.16).
• Use a suitable positioned headrest when being transported
in a wheelchair.
• 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 7176-19:2008 or SAE J2249.
Q300 M Mini Rev.F
Positioning the occupant restraint
DANGER!
• Belt restraints should make full contact with the shoulder,
chest and pelvis and pelvic belts should be positioned low on
the pelvis near the thigh-abdominal junction (meeting the
requirements specified in ISO 7176-19:2008).
• 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° to the horizontal.
• A steeper (greater) angle within the preferred zone is desirable
i.e. closer to, but never exceeding 75° degrees (Fig. 7.17).
i. The upper torso restraint belt must fit over the shoulder and
across the chest as illustrated (Fig. 7.17). Restraint belts must
be adjusted as tightly as possible consistent with user comfort.
• Restraint belt webbing must not be twisted when in use.
• Care should be taken when applying the occupant restraint to
position the seatbelt buckle so that the release button will not
be contacted by wheelchair components during a crash.
Fig. 7.16
Fig. 7.17
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