Transit Wheelchairs
Transit wheelchairs, also known as a transport chair, are designed to enable elderly, disabled and mobility impaired people to be moved between different locations both quickly and easily by their carers or ambulance or hospital staff members. Transit wheelchairs are used daily in care homes, the NHS and by ambulance services. They are different to a manual wheelchair. They are a lightweight transit wheelchair.
Also known as a ‘transport wheelchair’ or ‘ambulance chair’, they are a lightweight passenger wheelchair with small wheels which makes them easier to manoeuvre in environments with limited space. They make an ideal transport chair for those with reduced mobility. These high-quality transit wheelchairs enable quicker and safer transportation whenever required.
A transit wheelchair is primarily used to transport persons who are mobility-impaired across level surfaces to a clinic within a hospital, an area of a care home or even to a place of safety during an emergency.
Furthermore, they can be used to carry patients up or down the stairs by trained care workers if required.
Please note: these items have been known at Evacusafe as simply ‘Transit Chairs’ for many years.
Our best prices are available right here online
Save 5% when you buy online today. The transit wheelchair prices displayed above have already been discounted for you. This is our current range of transit wheelchairs, please click the images above to get more information about any of the models. These are the best prices available as of 10th January 2022.
What is the difference between a wheelchair and a transit wheelchair?
Transit Wheelchairs are significantly different to the traditional self propelled wheelchairs which you often see used independently by a wheelchair user. A standard wheelchair is a mobility aid that does not require an attendant to move the passenger, unlike a transit wheelchair.
The easiest way to tell the difference is the size of the rear wheels, which standard wheelchairs use. A transit wheelchair has much smaller wheels. The large wheels on a self propelled wheelchair are designed to enable the passenger to transport themselves and therefore not require any additional help to move about.
The various models of transit wheelchairs that Evacusafe sell have much smaller wheels and are designed to be pushed from behind by a second person. For people who are always required to have another person help them around, a transit wheelchair would be more suitable. Sometimes these are also referred to as a transit chair, transport chair or ambulance chair.
What type of wheelchair is easiest to push?
Whilst wheelchair passengers can often propel themselves with ease a transit wheelchair is very easy to manoeuvre, by an attendant, due to the design of the wheels. They are used by many health professionals on a day-to-day basis due to their ease of use. They are pushed by trained staff members, rather than relying on the strength of the passenger.
How is a passenger secured into a transit wheelchair?
Due to the lightweight design of the transit wheelchair, safety is of paramount importance. The passenger sits in the chair and is secured via a lap belt. Most models of transit wheelchair have an adequate seat width and seat depth which fit most people, however, special bariatric wheelchairs do exist for bariatric patients.
Whilst the frame is solid, comfort comes in the form of a comfortable padded seat, backrest, armrest, footrest or footplate (some brands have removable footrests), and they are designed to avoid pressure sores. A wheelchair cushion can be used for additional comfort.
Seat height is set at standard in order to fit most people. Easy transportation is the name of the game here. Once the passenger is safe and comfortable their journey may begin.
They are a lot less cumbersome than a large folding wheelchair or a mobility scooter and Evacusafe even has a folding model for easy storage. Light to use, yet strong due to the frame being made from lightweight aluminium.
They really do provide easy transportation. So much are they easy to control that they do not require any cable brakes, parking brake, handbrakes or even attendant brakes. They are simply safe and easy to use.
Carrying a patient up or downstairs
Whilst this equipment can be used to manually lift people up or downstairs, you do need to consider that it will require physical effort to safely lift a patient in this manner. This is best achieved by 2, 3 or even 4 people working as a team, depending on the person who is being moved/evacuated. Because of the lifting and manual handling involved, it is recommended that full Risk Assessment and PEEP should be carried out at your premises.
A tracked stairchair may be better suited if the main use would be for the purpose of evacuation. Any member of our team will be able to advise on the most suitable solution for your situation.
What is the lift capacity?
Transit chairs are popular because they move easily and have a lift capacity of up to 110kg, which allows for most average-weight people. Other specialist solutions are available for people of a heavier weight, such as bariatric patients.
One area they can be found is in basement areas to help support evacuation upstairs to ground level. This is particularly useful if there is no lift that can be used safely in an emergency.
Other types of equipment available
You may want to consider our Tracked Evacuation Chair, which is specially designed with stairway evacuations in mind and can be manoeuvred by just one person. We currently offer two versions: the standard model and the excel model, both are excellent products. Details of other products and services we offer can be seen on our homepage.
All of the prices listed on this website include a 5% discount & FREE UK Delivery. Please use this e-store facility if you wish to pay by Credit/Debit Card. We can always invoice you if you prefer, please get in touch. We give value to the excellence, ability & knowledge of our team, in terms of accurate service.
Our team can be contacted on 01256 332723 or info@ evacusafe.co.uk.
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