How do you transport a disabled wheelchair person quickly for evacuation?
Katrina storm illustrated the weakness in evacuation plans of most families when there is a disabled member in the family. Most of these families were stuck behind in New orleans.

Is there some sort of transportation device that is more mobile than the wheelchair?

One thing that may help is pulling the wheelchair instead of pushing it. This might be a little unsettling for the rider, but the big wheels in back are less likely to get snagged on bumps, debris , big cracks in the pavement or what not.

If the person has the phyical capabilities, perhaps one of those sit down hand pedeled bikes? That's probably a stretch though.

Not sure if that is any help, but thought I'd chime in anyway...moved a lot of wheelchairs in one of my jobs...learned a few tricks.

For short distances, if there are people strong enough to do it, the wheelchair can be carried by two or three people with the rider still in it...don't trip!

Perhaps wheelchair mfgrs could add extension handles to the chair so that it could be pulled like a rickshaw.

Having a severely handicapped daughter AND living in Lousy-anna, I have some things to offer.
1. Common sense! It is a necessary ingredient to deal with any problem in a timely manner!
2. Be PROACTIVE! Don't rely on someone else to provide what your common sense tells you to plan and allow for!
3. If you don't have transportation and you live in a low lying area, call the local authorities (Police, Fire Department, State Social Services, etc.) and ask for assistance!
4. If you have transportation, open the car or truck door and work/climb your way into the seat. Relatives can help, especially if you can't drive! My handicapped friends can rely on me to come & get them.
5. If there is no room for the wheelchair, make a decision to either to put it in the safest place that you can OR stay with it and die quietly!
6. Accept responsibility for yourself and well-being. If you're waiting on the "Gummint gonna take care of me", don't complain when the accommodations are less than what you coulda, woulda done for yourself!

NOW, I'll get off of my soapbox!

Depending upon the situation, you might be able to use a stair chair to get them over the rough and tight spots, them put them back into the wheelchair. You would require some strong people, however.

good idea 0311. By adding extension to handles of wheel chair would definitely facilitate faster movement of the wheelchair.

Do you think a SUV would be necessary to evacuate a disable person instead of using the car?

Is there a particular degree of disability you have in mind?

Check this out.....I had seen things like this before....though I have not used one, it may be just what you are looking for.

http://www.pvcdme.com/9811/top_wheelchair.html

It looks like it is made of pvc pipe. Perhaps one could be homemade.

The other day, someone was also thinking about moving his young child across uneven terrain (SHTF scenerio). That evening I just happened t o look through a Cabelas catalog and wound up looking at game carts & carriers. Maybe something like this would fit the bill?



JimJr