What is an Evacuation Chair (and How Do I Use It?)

The best way to prepare for an emergency is to have a plan in place before one occurs. Whether you’re a business owner, hospital administrator, or home owner, being cognizant of escape routes and having emergency action plans in place are key to properly handling an emergent situation. In 2020 alone, over 3500 individuals died from fire related injuries. Sadly, this statistic doesn’t even account for any other emergent situations including floods, toxic gas spills, or civil disturbances in which thousands of additional people are harmed on an annual basis.

So, how do you best prepare for an emergency? And what pieces of equipment are considered “must-haves” to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you? Evacuation chairs are one important category that solve a huge piece of the evacuation puzzle by providing individuals with disabilities a safe strategy to exit a building in the case of a crisis.

What is an Evacuation Chair Used For?

Evacuation chairs are specifically engineered to aid in the swift and secure evacuation of individuals facing mobility challenges during emergent situations. They are commonly found in businesses and hospitals but can also be a valuable tool in residences and other environments as well. For those that cannot easily move on their own and have trouble navigating stairs, evacuation chairs can be a lifeline in an evacuation situation.

What Kinds of Emergencies Call for Them?

Evacuation chairs are appropriate any time an unforeseen situation requires evacuation from a building. Oftentimes in these events, access to an elevator is cut off, and all individuals must exit or be transferred down a stairwell. Common examples of relevant emergencies include fires, fire drills, earthquakes, chemical spills, and workplace violence. In these situations, evacuation chairs offer a safe and efficient means to transfer individuals out of the building who wouldn’t otherwise be able to escape.

Our Favorite Safe and Stable Evacuation Chair: Evacu-Trac - Evac Chair for Emergency Evacuation via Stairs

Evacu-Trac - Evac Chair for Emergency Evacuation via StairsEvacu-Trac - Evac Chair for Emergency Evacuation via Stairs

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For those looking for the best evacuation chair on the market, look no further than the Evacu-Trac. This state-of-the-art product is designed specifically to get patients and loved ones out of danger. Created by Max Ability, you can rest assured that you are getting a quality product that you can depend on when you need it most. Suitable for most body types, the Evacu-Trac accommodates users up to 400lbs and provides a productive yet safe speed to get individuals out of an emergency situation. Follow along for our favorite attributes of the Evacu-Trac and how you could benefit from this and similar evacuation products.

Sturdy Rubber Crawl Track

One of the most important features of an evacuation chair is a functional track that allows for seamless and secure transfers down a flight of stairs. With a sturdy rubber crawl track, the Evacu-Trac keeps the chair stable on the floor and keeps any sort of accident or slip from occurring. This is particularly valuable during emergent events where the environment is generally hectic and you rely on your evacuation team and equipment to be failsafe.

Controlled Hydraulic Speed

Another top feature is the Evacu-Trac’s controlled hydraulic speed. Integrating mechanical control with fail-safe brakes, the patient can be transferred at a pace that is both comfortable and safe. With speed modifications available, you can set the pace you desire to be most efficient in your environment while using the speed limiter to control any dangerous descent. Providing additional security, the hydraulic speed reduces the risk of injury and gives the operator added confidence to control the device even in challenging environments. 

Reliable, Comfortable Support

While safety is the top priority, patient comfort follows as a close second. With extensive support for the head, back and legs, the Evacu-Trac seamlessly distributes forces to reduce stress on the body during transport. Fully adjustable multi-point straps give the user added security and help ensure a smooth ride.

Easy to Use and No Assembly Required

Perhaps our users’ favorite feature is that it ships fully assembled and is ready for use upon arrival. There is no assembly and no complicated instructions—just open the box, and it’s ready to go! Better yet, the Evacu-Trac is extremely intuitive to use, giving operators confidence particularly in situations that are chaotic and require decisions to be made quickly.

Final Thoughts

Evacuation chairs are a perfect example of a product that you hope you will never need but are imperative in emergent situations. For those looking for a combination of quality, adjustability and reliability, look no further than the Evacu-Trac.

If you’re interested in learning more about product options and additional benefits of evacuation chairs, check out our full listing of evacuation chairs here. While you’re looking around, feel free to explore Caregiver University for similar product reviews, buying guides and informational blog posts written by experts just for you.

Author:

Kelsey Lauer, a dedicated registered nurse, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supporting seniors to age gracefully in the comfort of their own homes. With years of experience in perianesthesia, stepdown ICU, and surgical telemetry, Kelsey understands the unique challenges and needs that arise as individuals age.

Kelsey's academic accomplishments include holding bachelor's degrees in both English and nursing. This unique combination of disciplines reflects her passion for effective communication and her desire to provide exceptional care to those in need. With a passion for exploring diverse medical subjects and “translating” them for the benefit of patients and their families, Kelsey Lauer finds great joy in writing. Her expertise in this realm has led to the publication of her works in multiple esteemed platforms. Kelsey's journey reflects a remarkable blend of creativity, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference. With her engaging writing style and dedication to healthcare, she continues to inspire and empower others through her words and actions.

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