Written by Brittany Ferri, OTR/L
About 13.7% of individuals with chronic disabilities are living with mobility impairments. While this number may not seem large, it equates to around 2.7 million people who rely on wheelchairs to get around. This population is especially vulnerable since they cannot independently navigate their environments without patient transfer devices supporting them.
Research shows that 57.4% of community-dwelling wheelchair users have fallen from their wheelchairs due to the absence of a safe patient lift. Even more individuals (66%) have partially tipped over during their time using a wheelchair. Other studies show that over 3% of wheelchair users experience serious wheelchair-related incidents that cause them moderately to severe injuries.
There are a variety of reasons why someone might be at risk of falling out of their wheelchair, including muscle weakness, faulty structural mechanisms, and poorly-done repairs. However, one of the major reasons individuals fall out of their wheelchairs is due to lack of Information or not following patient transferring best practices. This can result in severe injury, especially if the wheelchair user is alone at the time of the fall. This is why a Patient Transfer Product can be tremendously resourceful.
Individuals transferring out of their wheelchairs are even more likely to experience injury if there is an emergency and they are moving quickly. Individuals (and their caregivers) can sidestep this risk by taking advantage of a portable transfer sling when they are in such urgent situations.
The ADAPTS sling can be used anywhere you need it, which is what makes it great for emergencies or everyday situations. When folded, it measures a compact 11” x 11” x 2” and is small enough to be discreetly taken with you. ADAPTS created one of our top transfer slings to be placed in your wheelchair’s rear pouch, so it’s a no-brainer when you need a quick transfer.
In the event of an emergency, there are usually a lot of people in the area. Thankfully, the ADAPTS sling has multiple handles, which makes it simple for several individuals to hoist a wheelchair user to safety or get them medical attention, especially if they're elders. Between two and six individuals can assist with the transfer, which is ideal and ergonomic for caregivers or first responders when moving larger individuals.
Compared to other slings that offer little to no support for the upper body, the ADAPTS sling gives some reinforcement to the upper extremities, which is ideal for individuals with poor trunk strength, limited head and neck control, and weak spinal muscles since they may struggle to hold themselves up. This feature especially sets the ADAPT sling apart from the rest. For guidance on how to adjust the sling’s head support, refer to the instructions written by ADAPTS for caregivers.
This portable transfer sling is one of our recommended mobile products any wheelchair user should always carry, not only for how compact it is but because it’s light and durable enough to accommodate most individuals. It folds down to pocket size and only weighs 1.15 pounds, so it won’t get in the way when it’s not in use. Don’t let its size fool you – the ADAPTS sling can hold up to 450 pounds making it suitable for most individuals.
Emergency devices are only as good as their flexibility, which is why the ADAPTS sling is water-resistant and flame-retardant. This makes it a great choice for emergency situations of any variety. The ADAPTS sling will get the job done and get an individual to safety.
“We were able to use the ADAPTS sling to transfer in and out of an aisle seat on an airplane with ease. It really cut down on the time it took to get settled. The airline staff was even impressed with the process!”
-Brian A.
“We used the ADAPTS sling to navigate the narrow hallways when bringing my dad home from the hospital. The medics who assisted said this is much safer than the ‘sheet method’ they sometimes use and felt comfortable with the amount of handles the sling offered.”
-Marsha C.
“I can’t imagine going back to transferring my loved one without the ADAPTS sling! It kept him snug with his arms and legs safely tucked in. We love how easy it is to use and won’t go on another trip without it.”
-Kristine R.
A: The ADAPTS portable transfer sling can comfortably handle up to 450 pounds due to its durable design.
A: The ADAPTS sling comes in one size, but that’s all you’ll need to safely handle weight under 450 pounds.
A: The ADAPTS sling has six handles so it can accommodate two, four, or six lifters.
The ADAPTS sling is one of the most convenient and durable tools for someone in a wheelchair. Not only is this portable transfer sling great for individuals during emergency situations, but it is also helpful for everyday travel situations such as getting in and out of an airplane seat, the car, a train, and more. The ADAPTS sling is lightweight at just 1.15 pounds and can handle 450 pounds. This is one of our portable transfer slings that comes with six handles so several individuals can assist with moving an individual if needed.
The ADAPTS sling is a wonderful device for any wheelchair user to have on hand since it protects the individual from injury while making it easier for caregivers to help their loved ones in a time of need. Want to learn more? Discover more tips to fall-proof your home. For more articles like this one, visit Caregiver University.
Brittany is an occupational therapist who has worked in a variety of rehab facilities. She has always expressed an interest in patients’ internal motivation for therapy and the use of assistive devices, which led her to pursue a PhD in Integrative Mental Health. This research-based training has also led her to develop her writing career to educate patients of all ages on how to improve their health. Brittany has published four books, written over 300 articles, and has been quoted in media outlets such as WebMD, Healthline, and NBC News.
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