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Comfort Carrier Travel, Recreation, & Emergency Prep Transfer Sling

Comfort Carrier Travel, Recreation, & Emergency Prep Transfer Sling

Order Now and receive $50 rebate by sharing your experience!  (read testimonials)
Organizations, please also see the NEW Comfort Carrier Evacuation System page

Order Now & Save!
Starting at $249
(after $50 rebate)
Funding assistance available through Veterans Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation, Worker's & Compensation
Contact us for more information.
Convenient & stylish expandable attaché protects your Comfort Carrier with room for lots more!  Easily hooks over push handles on back of wheelchair.
Hablamos Espanol!
Lifting front and back from shoulders

Transfer solution to move anyone who cannot walk from their wheelchair to any other location securely and comfortably. Improves leverage and provides handles for 2 or more people to assist with transfer.  Indispensable for active individuals, recreation & travel organizations serving the disabled, and as part of an emergency preparation plan for individuals, managed-care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, accessible housing, etc.  Emergency Preparation starts with each person - Be Prepared for the unexpected!

Who
Designed for any disabled or handicapped wheelchair user who cannot walk and must be carried, but especially for someone with limited upper extremity strength or balance issues unable to transfer themselves who requires transfer assistance from others
Quadriplegia / Tetraplegia / Paraplegia (SCI)
Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Cerebral Palsy (CP)
Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS)
Stroke
Brain Injury
many other debilitating diseases and conditions

How
1.
2.
3.
4.
Slide behind Back while Seated
Crisscross under Thighs
Fasten Buckles
Lift and Transfer
(Front & Back or from each Side)

Bottom View - Shown crossing under thighs to securely cradle
Sit Skiing: carried trom wheelchair 20' down hill to the lake (early prototype)

Leverage makes all the difference!  Fellow on right is 5'2" and 125 lbs. helping comfortably transfer a guy who is 5'11" and 230 pounds!
Example Activities
Travel  (be prepared for the unexpected, even in accessible locations, an elevator might be out of order or the vehicle with a wheelchair lift broke down)
Aircraft - large commercial, smaller regional, and even private/recreational.
USA Today - "Airlines tackle wheelchair need" (or not!) March 13, '08 For passenger service workers, those who assist with wheelchair transfers, "the average pay is less than $19,000 a year. Some 60% said they had not been formally trained in how to lift an immobile passenger."  Save yourself and get a Comfort Carrier TODAY!
Train, inaccessible Bus, Van, or automobile (indispensable when exploring less developed countries, when adapted vehicles are not affordable or available such as rental cars or taxis)
Cruise Ship - dis-boarding in smaller ports of call & take advantage of local sightseeing opportunities that might otherwise not be possible
Stairs (be carried up or down separate from wheelchair)
Bed (when lifts are not available, cannot be used because of no space under bed, bed is wrong height, or those assisting with transfer simply don't have the experience or strength for sliding board, standing pivot or other transfer techniques)
Recreation (do and try new things that were otherwise simply too difficult or thought impossible)
Kayak, Canoe, Sailboat, Speedboat
Sit Ski  (water or snow), tubing, sledding
Camping (wheelchair to sleeping bag)
Swimming, Beach, Picnic (wheelchair to grass/sand/water - Pool, Lake, Ocean)
Amusement Park (experience the roller coaster for the first time or again)
Biking - Recombinant, Arm Bike / Hand Cycle, even tow trailer seat
Motorsports - ATV, Snowmobile, Go-kart
Horseback Riding (combined with a sturdy tree, 4 rock climbing Carabiners, a belay safety equipment & rope)
Hunting & Fishing - duck boat, tournament angler boat, ATV / Ranger, etc.
Tree stand (combined with a sturdy tree, 4 rock climbing Carabiners, belay safety equipment & rope)
At Home
Recliner, Couch, Standing Frame, etc.
Emergency - fall out of wheelchair / wheelchair tips over
Personal Emergency Preparedness Planning
(Hurricane Katrina demonstrated disabled people need to be prepared themselves and can't always depend on rescue workers who may not have the required equipment)
Fire (elevators shut down)
Flood, Tsunami, Hurricane ( - go to higher level or evacuation by boat)
Tornado (go down into basement or other secure, wheelchair inaccessible location)
Earthquake, Landslide, even Terrorism, etc. (crumbled buildings & debris)

Benefits
Safer with less chance of individual being dropped or injured
Comfortable for individual being transferred, less chance of being lifted in a painful manner
Maintains individual in natural seated position while securing legs during transfer
Easy repositioning, especially pulling individual all the way back into seat
No more torn clothing or embarrassments from accidentally dislodged or disconnected urinary collection devices
Only 2 individuals required to assist with transfer
No special skills or training for those assisting with transfer required
Transfer lifting can be performed from front & back (aircraft) or each side (kayak)
Saves backs or other strain injuries of those assisting with transfer

Features
Easily slipped around individual while seated in wheelchair or any other seat
Fits securely like special-purpose clothing - can be left in position during activity
Lightweight & folds up for compact, easy portability such as in exterior pocket of carry-on luggage (only 10" x 11" x 3")
Highly Adjustable! 2 Sizes accommodates almost all individuals up to 400 pounds!
American-Made Craftsmanship, Super Strong & Durable, Machine washable.  1 Year limited Warranty.
Related Information Resources
ABLE to Travel - Specializing in travel arrangement for people with disabilities - provides knowledgeable travel agents that have dealt with challenges that a traveler using a wheelchair may encounter.

Patent Pending. Reproduction or use of this concept / design without the express written permission of Broadened Horizons, Inc. is strictly prohibited.



Comfort Carrier Tranfser from Private Plane (Nov 24, 2007) Broadband [27.1MB]


Using the Comfort Carrier, Mark Felling, Broadened Horizons' President and a C-5 quadriplegic in a power wheelchair has flown round trip safely, independently, and with confidence numerous times on Northwest Airlines!  He has used the Comfort Carrier to try kayaking, sit skiing, sailing, and handcycling!  The Comfort Carrier is the result of multiple revisions and improvements driven by extensive real-world testing and has received rave reviews by airline personnel assisting with and observing transfers!  

The Comfort Carrier is currently being tested by the National Center for Accessible Transportation.  


An emergency evacuation package for any multistory building, is under development will be available soon!


  Testimonials (more)


Elanie Link (for son John), Illinois, USA
Comfort Carrier made going to Portugal for Stem Cell Surgery Possible!
"We returned home from Portugal yesterday.  The surgery went very well.  Now John will have extended physical therapy and any gains he may have from the stem cell graft may show up over the next months and years.  The Comfort Carry worked very well moving John between wheelchair and airplane seat.  My husband and I did the transfers with a helper from the airline quickly moving the Roho seat cushion from one seat to another.  My husband lifted John's torso using the middle set of hand loops.  I lifted his legs...  I cannot imagine how we would have accomplished the moves without the carrier.  It was especially necessary on the way home when my son had a big incision on the back of his neck and we had to be extra careful.  Anyway, I was extremely thankful that I had come across a link to your site and your product before the trip.  Thanks for your great invention in the Comfort Carrier.  We practiced with it at home a couple of times before we took off, and it definitely made all our lives easier during the transfers.  My husband has had back surgery and I'm a 56-year-old woman with a pacemaker, but we could handle the job. In every airport they looked at us with disbelief when we said we would be moving John by ourselves."

Walt Balenovich, Toronto Canada
That transfer sling is quite ingenious...I have scurried across and over many a small aircraft wing in Kenya and Australia and it can be a bit dangerous, and I am a cross between a para and a quad!  Nice to see that we have an Edison like you on our side, making life easier!

William L. Bussear - Isla Aguada, Campeche, Mexico (Yucatan Peninsula)
"I purchased a Comfort Carrier from Mark and it has almost eliminated in the extreme hassle of getting on and getting off aircraft! I still have to be carried and I still have to be put on that damn "crucifixion chair" but it has eliminated the "manhandling" and the "accidental dropping" totally!  EVERYONE who uses a wheelchair needs to buy this product before you fly again! I am suggesting that all of my clients who fly to Freedom Shores buy one before they leave! It is also wonderful for getting in and out of kayaks here at Freedom Shores.  It makes transitioning from the wheelchair to the kayak a simple process. Mark, congratulations on a great product!"

"I am very happy that I met Mark Felling! He is a wonderful example of someone who is waging a furious and courageous fight against quadriplegia! His enthusiasm is contagious and the products he offers the handicap community is impressive and extremely utilitarian! I personally purchased one of his Comfort Carriers and it is an exemplary product. It makes getting on and getting off a passenger aircraft much safer and much easier on everyone involved!  I hope to meet him and personally share ideas with him in March of 2008!"

Matt Keil - Iraq Veteran - Parker Colorado, USA
Matt, a quadriplegic from a sniperin Iraq, and his wife Tracy shared these comments as they were preparing to fly to Florida with the Comfort Carrier after recently returning from a flight to Craig Hospital  in Denver. They also mentioned showing the Comfort Carrier there with very positive responses! "I am not sure you are using [the Comfort Carrier] to its full potential, and trust me we use it to it's full potential! I bring it everywhere - we even used it to furniture shop so that Matt could try out all the couches in the store. We moved him around the entire furniture store in that thing....we love it! We also took him in/out of the pool with it on vacation. It worked great..."  Matt's CaringBridge webpage.

Stephen Trott - Surrey, United Kingdom
"I have just returned from a trip to Florida, which gave me the chance to use the Comfort Carrier to its fullest.  I found that with just a little practice it is in place and ready for use in just a couple of minutes.  I put it on at the gate just before being called.  In the UK the ground crews tend to be shorter and not as strong as in the US, however 3 guys managed to lift me relatively easily from wheelchair to the aisle chair. [The Comfort Carrier's] main advantage in the aisle chair is it helped maintain a good and safe position, they were then able to easily lift me from the aisle chair to [airplane] seat, and then importantly position me easily for the flight.  In the US, 2 ground crew found it very easy to do the reverse. On the return flight the ground crew manager remarked that ‘It was the easiest transfer he had done’.  The Comfort Carrier made the flight the easiest and most comfortable that I have done."

Wayne C. Wurtz, PTA, BS, President, Comprehensive Injury Prevention Solutions, Inc.
"I consult for injury prevention with a human services company. The Comfort Carrier has caught on recently through my recommendation with this company.  The first one I purchased has been deployed and has been used is a residential setting.  It has helped balance the 2-person head and toe transfer.  It allows for improved lifting mechanics when transferring from the floor, which is typically the hardest place to transfer someone from."

Kristin Forster - Hastings, Minnesota, USA
"Thank you so much for creating the Comfort Carrier. We ordered it for my dad just for emergencies like falling out of the wheelchair or equipment failure. By the time we received it in the mail, my dad had all kinds of ideas of where he wanted to go! We have taken him into the house he grew up in, and have a hot-air balloon ride reserved for this fall. My dad is 6 feet tall and over 200 pounds, but my mom and I can easily carry him wherever he wants to go. Maybe we’ll even start to think about a winter vacation someplace warm. J  It’s very easy to use. Nice and sturdy!!  Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!"

Judy Moening, Executive Director, United Cerebral Palsy of Central MN
“Mark Felling, an engineer and inventor with quadriplegia, attended our United Cerebral Palsy Adaptive Bike and Recreation Fair in 2006 and demonstrated his Comfort Carrier Transfer Sling. Everyone was impressed with Mark’s professionalism and his desire to solve a significant barrier for people with disabilities and their caregivers -- transferring from one location to another. The Comfort Carrier is easy to use and easy to store, so you can always have it handy. Through his personal trials, Mark has developed a safe solution that we think will be of benefit to many individuals with disabilities as well as care facilities and public businesses. After such disasters as hurricane Katrina, we think the Comfort Carrier should be available in all facilities that house or employ individuals with disabilities or in the homes of people who need to be transferred from wheelchairs.”

Cindy & Jenna Johnson - Woodbury, Minnesota, USA
"We would highly recommend the Comfort Carrier! It is a wonderful design that enables our daughter Jenna to get places she couldn't go before. We use it to get her up the steps to the second floor of our home, but most importantly to Jenna, we use it to get her in and out or our speedboat and into the tube to ride behind it. The Comfort Carrier even made airplane transfers a breeze. Before we had the Comfort Carrier her dad had to do all the lifting....now we can help him too!  And, she feels more comfortable and safer....what could be better than that."
The Johnson family recently took a trip using the Comfort Carrier for getting on/off the aircraft, into a family member's second-story very inaccessible duplex, from wheelchair to water to go swimming in the ocean at an inaccessible beach, and later at a hotel.  

The family also loves water sports behind their powerboat, and Jenna appreciates it makes hanging out with mom and dad upstairs much easier on everyone!
Wearing Comfort Carrier, ready to go upstairs
Going up/down a narrow stairwell
From wheelchair down to the beach
Into the tube for some wild fun on the water!

Jeremy & Sophie Cox, United Kingdom
"Comfort carrier was received on Friday 14th July. It works really well and enables us to go to New York and not need to hire a patient lift.  Well done!!!! Thanks for the prompt service. From one very happy family!"

Zaiton Osman, Singapore
"Received the Comfort Carrier today. Thank you for delivering it promptly. The carrier is for my mother who cannot walk due to severe arthritis.  Thank you."  [Yes we ship to most countries around the world!]

JU and wife CU, Connecticut USA
"I purchased the Comfort Carrier in case of an emergency.  I have fallen out of the wheelchair a few times. Usually I call the police dept. to pick me up and put be back in the chair.  It is somewhat uncomfortable for me and embarrassing. I weigh quit a bit and it is awkward for more than one person to pick me up.  The Comfort Carrier allows more than one person to help and I feel more secure and also less embarrassed. I had a stroke one year ago.  I am 59.  I am unable to walk with paralysis on my right side.  [With the Comfort Carrier] My wife has hopes of us traveling and also taking me fishing. We anticipate situations where a wheelchair might not work. The Comfort Carrier would help in those predicaments."


Comfort Carrier Lifting Methods

In Position Ready for Transfer - buckles in front of knees to maintain position
Lifting front and back from waist
Lifting from Sides - Front View
Lifting from Sides - Back View


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
© Broadened Horizons, Inc., 2007. All rights reserved.
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