Moving Between Wheelchair and Car:
This type of transfer typically requires the use of the traditional manual style lift that has a straight bar. You will need to use the T-bar attachment for the lift and a Standard Sling in order to achieve adequate clearance to get into the vehicle. In general, two-person assistance is needed to safely complete this transfer.
Transfer Set-Up:
- Position the wheelchair next to the vehicle and apply the brakes.
- Position the sling appropriately (see positioning the sling).
- Open the passenger side door and recline the car seat.
- Place the car cushion (if needed) in the car seat.
- Widen the lift base to the widest position and move the lift into position.
- Connect the sling to the hooks on the chains. Lengths used for the chains can vary; please use the number of links recommended during training with the therapist.
- Use the manual pump to lift the person off the surface.
- Once clear from the surface, pull the lift back and turn to move between the wheelchair and the vehicle.
Moving Into the Vehicle:
- Once elevated in the lift, pivot the person around so that their head will go in first.
- The top of the bar and the person’s head must both be inside the vehicle. You may need to lower the lift slightly to get both of them inside and then pump up slightly once the bar is inside to get better seat clearance.
- As the head moves into the vehicle, the person needs to be rotated around to move the legs/knees toward the front seat. At this point, a second person assisting from inside the vehicle may be needed.
- Once the person is positioned appropriately over the seat with legs inside the vehicle, the lift can be safely lowered and the sling can be unhooked. Pressure applied at the legs to push person’s bottom further back into the seat may be needed.
Read more: Lift Transfer: Wheelchair to Car
