Using the Standard Evacuation Chair for Emergencies

By: Kevin Cleary

Emergencies come in all forms: fires, earthquakes, and floods, these are just some of the potential emergency situations when individuals with limited mobility find themselves at a distinct disadvantage. For those who may be blind or dealing with a disability that can hamper a quick exit in times of distress, being able to have a safe and effective method for vacating their home, apartment, or office can be a matter of life and death. Finding a simple and efficient method of evacuation is important. Enter the Evac Chair 300HStandard Evacuation Chair. Using this mobility aid may at times be your only option for a safe evacuation.

Be Prepared!

Every second counts, especially in an emergency so being able to overcome the obstacle of stairs is crucial. The Boy Scout motto is “Always Be Prepared” and that can never be more important than when an emergency arises. Whether at work or in the home, an escape plan is the key to survival. First responders are professionals that are highly trained, but sometimes they could use a little help in order to evacuate those with physical limitations or handicaps. This is where the Evac Chair Standard Evacuation Chair is the right tool for the right job. Those with limited mobility are easily extracted with the help of the evacuation chair. Its features and specifications include:

• Dual position seating
• Simple one person operation
• Lightweight (19 pounds)
• Locking rear wheels
• A 400 pound capacity
• 41” high (folded)
• 20” wide (folded)
• 8” depth (folded)
• 5 year warranty
• DDA compliant
• Padded leg and back for comfort

This piece of rescue equipment is also very user-friendly and intuitive so that just about anyone can use it with minimal training. Each chair comes with a training DVD that is very straightforward and easy to follow. They can be strategically placed in the home or office building and be ready to use at a moment’s notice. Stored with a vinyl dust cover to keep everything protected and fully functioning, it can be wall-mounted with the included bracket so it’s where you need it, when you need it. Also included is photo luminescent signs to make it simple and obvious as to its location. Preparing your evacuation chair for use is simple and easy; just simply open the chair (there are no tricky release mechanisms) and allow the user to sit and buckle up. That’s it!!

How Does It Work?

When things seem too easy, people may think that this apparatus won’t work. Not the case here!! Those that are wheelchair-bound or are not able to extradite themselves from a dangerous situation quickly enough simply must sit and allow the operator to quickly remove them from harm’s way. This tracked chair has a unique self braking system to keep the dissent downstairs safe and under control. It saves lives!! It can comfortably maneuver two flights of stairs in 15 seconds or four floors in one minute. Not only can this unit maneuver stairs, but on flat ground a foldout, two wheel trolley allows for easy handling, just like a wheelchair. In the case of an unconscious passenger, there are user-friendly restraints that are easy to use. In addition to a lap belt, there is a chest strap that secures the rider’s upper body to the unit comfortably and securely. Each rescue chair has dual seating options: flat seat or hammock seat. Just unzip the side panels and away you go.

This allows the operator and passenger to determine what is the right seating option each and every time. To open the chair for use, follow these steps:

•  Stand behind chair holding chair upright and place 1 foot on the blue base frame to steady unit
• Use both hands to pull handle upwards until shoulder clips lock in place (headrest should not slide down the handle)
• While standing behind chair, undo seatbelt and release skids
• Open seat by pulling skis towards you and push seat partially downward into position
•  Pull up on seat frame against ski to ensure proper position

Operation

Once the passenger has been secured in the seat, it is now time to descend to safety. First thing the user must do is close the trolley wheels before descending downstairs. It is now that you tilt the chair back into its two wheeled position and move towards the top of the stairs. At the edge, tilt the evacuation chair backwards slightly more and comfortably start descending the stairs. It’s quite obvious but it must be stated, never let go of the chair!! With your hands on the horizontal bar, you should push gently downward and descend. If all goes well there are no bumps. It’s the smooth, tracked braking system that allows you to safely navigate the passenger down to safety. Once down on flat ground and ready to exit either the home or the office, simply pop out the two trolley wheels and the Evac Chair operates like a wheelchair.
Emergencies come in every form and they don’t care where. House or office fires, power outages that leave elevators inoperable and even terrorist attacks can leave those with limited mobility behind. The Evac Chair 300H Standard Evacuation Chair makes it so that no person is left behind and can be evacuated in the case of any emergency. With little training, just about any person can use this great escape apparatus to help a family member or coworker exit the premises.