（Passenger baggage rules for medical support items.）
Q.
Here is a device hooked to a rail installed under the ceiling which incorporates an electric motor with a belt with which an invalid person will transfer himself from his bed to a wheelchair or the reverse, or be able to walk within the bed room. Under which rules can this device be allowed as passenger baggage? The power source is a lead acid battery. May we categorize this device as a "mobility aid" and if it contains a spillable battery, provided it satisfies the provisions of DGR 2.3.2.3, and if it contains a non-spillable battery thence provided it satisfies the provisions of DGR 2.3.2.2, the device can be handled as checked baggage on a passenger aircraft? May we include such device as "mobility aids" and apply DGR 2.3.2.3 or 2.3.2.2 as applicable? Is there a definition of "Mobility Aids"? (31 Oct 17)
A.
The medical assisting device that you mention may be included as one type of a "mobility aid" under a broad interpretation. There is no special definition of a "mobility aid" other than that of a simple dictionary. Manual or electric wheelchairs, or any other mobility aids including clutches, etc. are considered as "mobility aids". Therefore such device that helps an invalid person transfer between his bed and his wheelchair or help him walk inside his bed room may be handled as DGR 2.3.2.3 or 2.3.2.2 as applicable. The dangerous article is the lead acid battery. If you will remove the battery from the device and secure a battery in the country of destination, the device without the battery will not be subject to any restriction. If the battery must accompany installed, you will need to follow DGR 2.3.2.3 or DGR 2.3.2.2 as applicable.
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