California says restraint on Perilous Plunge not adequate (updated)

Thing is, thrillman she DID fit into the seat. Her seat belt was fastened. Her lap bar was down. They failed to hold her in the seat. That's what the state claims, and that's why they want operational changes before the ride opens again.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I just thought it was funny when I was Busch Gardens Tampa on Gwazi and I was sitting in front of this realy fat guy that couldn't fit into the restraints. About 3 ride ops had to come over and push his stomach in to get the seat belt latched. I was getting a little impatiant because they had been trying to get the seat belt around his stomach for about 5 minutes. They finally got it latched but they couldn't get the lap bar down. Then one of the ride ops said, "why dont we try him in a car that has bigger restraints" I was like why didn't you that in the first place. I agree with thrillman that there should be sample seats at the entrance for fat people to sit into to make sure they fit instead of letting them get on the ride and hold the damn show up.

As a "fat guy", I feel I can add some perspective to this thread.

My weight is my problem, not the park's or the mfg's, mine. Test seats help, but well trained ride ops could all but eliminate the problem. If there is an op at the start of the queue, they should let larger folks know up front that they may not fit. Signs are great, but who reads them? I have never been turned away from a coaster, and have never required extraordinary efforts to ride. However, I would rather be embarrassed than injured.

Bottom line, riders and ride ops need to put safety above satisfaction.

BTW, not all fat is pliable.

*** This post was edited by CoasterDad64 on 3/22/2002. *** *** This post was edited by CoasterDad64 on 3/22/2002. ***

The other thing is, how big is too big? How fat is too fat? A weight limit won't help; I weigh more than some people who are much larger than me. The problem is all in proportions.

And that brings us back to the Plunge incident: The lap bar was down, the seat belt fastened and so any reasonable person would easily claim that the rider was properly secured. After all, nothing gave any indication at all to the contrary. And if that was the case, then either the rider deliberately extricated herself from the restraint, or the restraint was inadequate.

If position was the problem, then the solution could be as simple as adding a bypass valve to the lap bar so that it won't latch until it is down some minimum distance.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Another point to mention is that many people are not fat and are too large to fit in the seats. As a former weight lifter I have always had trouble getting into seats on coasters due to my large shoulders and thighs. As I got older it got worse since I put on more weight but as CoasterDad64 pointed out, a person has to look and see if they fit and test seats are a great idea. I don't ride the Texas Twister anymore because the last time I rode it, I didn't feel secure, so I don't ride anymore.

Also, I have always known C.P. to be very thorough in seat/lap bar and seatbelt checking and making sure that all guests are secure before launching a ride. I was even told I could not ride on Blue Streak once and I knew so I stepped out of line. Its a question of procedure on the guest and the operator but I understand the legal standpoint, the government says everything in our world should be consumer-proof ("fool-proof").

Well after getting back from Knotts for the first time today all I can say is the whole restraint thing on PP is just sily. I mean we all know the whole reason why they have the harness is just because the woman fell out. You cant tell me that Xcelerators seats are any different and they dont have the harness...

The rules just don't make sence!