Wheelchair down front porch steps

[Hawaii]

What is the best way to descend a 3 step porch with an attendant? Ascend?

[sherocksandsherolls]

Facing steps have them put you in a wheelie..then slowly descend one step at a time.using back wheels only.while maintaining you in the position. I always put my arms around the neck of the person doing it..lol in case I fall..they are coming too )

Like this show off..lol but with help ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wctye...eature=related

[woman from Europe]

I am so jelouse of people who can do that on their backwheels. I know how to do it, but I am scared and I can only take two steps.

[Rick c5 c6 quad]

go down backwards but i keep all 4 tires on the steps and i can help slow the descent. going down in a wheelie is smoother but i feel safer on all 4 tires.

[sjean423]

I go on the back wheels as well, I tell whomever is doing it the "think of me as a refrigerator" lol.

I feel safer when there are 2 people, one to control the angle of the chair from the front, as slow the descent.

I won't usually let strangers help with this unless the are the 2nd person to a friend./family member who has done it before.

Bente .... I will only go down a single curb, and it has to be a very small one, and with a spotter! (By spotter I mean someone, usually my daughter, watching, ready to grab the chair, just in case. My husband doesn't have the patience, he just takes me down the curb)

So 2 steps is greatly skilled in my mind!

[SCI-Nurse]

If you have two assistants it is better. One can pull the chair up (with it in a 45 degree tipped position) using the push handles, and the other stands beneath you on the steps and helps push from the frame or foot rests (if rigid, never if they remove). Much more difficult if you have a chair without push handles. Best if they count together so that the effort is coordinated.

Descending you can do either forward or backward...again, best if there are two assistants (and neither one has had too much to drink!!!).

(KLD)

[McDuff]

Just like a keg of beer on a dolly, backwards going up, frontward going down. They tip you back to the balance point and pull you up or ease you down. You can help by pulling on the tires going up to help propel, and apply braking for the trip down.

If they drank a keg of beer, have 2 people help.

[woman from Europe]

But what do you do when you are alone? I was going down backwards yesterday and then suddenly the chair turned a little and I was ready to tip backwards. And I have gone down those steps more than once.