Dubai: The Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services has pressed into service a new equipment that makes the evacuation of wheelchair-bound patients from high-rise buildings considerably easier. The light-weight evacuation chair fits into narrow lifts and can be handled by one person.
Gulf News was given a preview of the chair which serves as a skid to easily slide down stairs if there are no lifts to carry patients.
"In case of a fire, a wheelchair-bound person had to be put on a stretcher and carried downstairs," said a representative of the ambulance unit. He said many hotels and shopping malls have added the evacuation chair as part of their emergency equipment.
Obese
"This is ideal for the disabled and the obese," said an executive of the corporation. The light-weight chair which has two wheels can support up to 180kg. "In case of obstacles on the way, the chair can be turned into a stretcher instantly and two people can carry the patient," said the executive. In such a situation, there are two retractable handles which can be pulled out and the chair is easily carried, he said.
The executive said that, besides paramedics, all ambulance service staff are being trained to operate the evacuation chair.
The number to call for emergency ambulance service is 999 and there are 56 stations across Dubai from where ambulance units are dispatched. Last year Dubai Ambulance had unveiled the longest ambulance bus in the world.
