For those who think Amusement Parks are Unsafe

While at Coaster Con XXIX in Orlando this year, I attended the Banquet. 2 of the speakers were higher ups with Disney. (Forgive me for not remembering their names) They were speaking to the safety of Coasters and Rides in general. You may find this slide interesting.

http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com/Coaster_Con_XXIX/IMGP5850.jpg

Sorry it took me so long, but I finally had time to go through my pics from Coaster Con. It's been a very busy summer. For my other Con Pics go here.

http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com/Coaster_Con_XXIX.html

Well, basketball is one of my favorite sports to play, and I enjoy a whole bunch of those activities. Does that mean I'm at a big risk? ;)

Playing "Darts" is safer than riding coasters? Wow.

This all is so true. I remember reading somewhere that a person is more safe at an amusement park than they were riding in their car to and from the park. The media blows ride accidents way out of proportion. They never report on positive aspects of the industry, since the GP does not find it interesting. The same thing applies to the airline industry... the media once again takes a mechanical failure and blames the entire industry.

Should I inquire as to the safety of rollerblading ON fixed-site amusement rides? No, probably not... ;)

A person at CP once told me that downhill skiing was safer than amusement parks. I told them even the worst park never gets 15-20 EMS calls a week, minimum like the average ski resort.

Parks aren't unsafe, people are. *** Edited 7/25/2006 12:24:03 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

Downhill skiing, SAFER? Obviously they never watched ME ski.

That does raise an interesting point, though -- some people PERCEIVE activities like skiing as "safer" because they feel more in control of the experience. Once you're strapped into the ride, you pretty much ARE at the mercy of the machine. That doesn't make it unsafe, but it makes it FEEL unsafe to some people.

Try White-Water Rafting! in 1987 I got catapulted out of a raft while taking on a Class VI Rapid on West Virginia's Gauley River! For the next five minutes I was sucked under by the currant so often I felt I was going to lose consciouisness, and the thought went through my mind "This is it, you've Bought it!" It was at this point I heard someone yell "There he is! GRAB HIM!" and I was pulled into a Raft. Not only was I sucked under by the currants but I did a Wonder Impersonation of a Pinball among the various boulders underwater! :( ( I was a "Soreboy" for the next several days!) I did Finish my journey on that river! (I was given th option to walk out and get a 1/2 price refund)

BTW If you think the Gauley's Gnarly take on Maryland's Upper Youghiogheny! :)

I take it you will never see that slide on a certain amusement safety organization website which will remain nameless. ;)

Only thing is...when there is a ride issue it's usually pretty serious as compared to the sprained ankles that probably make up a nice chunk of some of those injuries.

I would have to disagree with that. We just had 2 recent roller coaster accidents, with full trains and most of those were not serious injuries.

The people who have died recently at amusement parks. i.e. Mission Space. were caused by unknown preexisting heart conditions. You get the same thing in sports. In fact, there was a local high school kid who had been very athletic his whole life and just colapsed dead on the basketball court.

I agree with t-w-i-s-t-e-r that the media tends to blow things out of proportion. Trying to hype anything to get better ratings. *** Edited 7/25/2006 4:21:12 PM UTC by Jason Hammond***

You know what the ironic thing is? I bet there's a sizeable group of ACE members who've never done anything off the list besides coaster riding! I'm kidding (sort of).

What does this prove? Absolutely nothing. You're comparing apples and oranges. You cannot compare a physical activity involving a single person (or more) to a machine-based amusment ride. Due to a lack of reporting by many states (because they don't have to), I'd say the statistics are absolutely, completely low on fixed-based amusement rides. And what exactly is there definitiion of injury?

---

FLYINGSCOOTER said:
A person at CP once told me that downhill skiing was safer than amusement parks. I told them even the worst park never gets 15-20 EMS calls a week, minimum like the average ski resort.

Parks aren't unsafe, people are. *** Edited 7/25/2006 12:24:03 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

---

You have no idea how many times I've seen people get hurt at mountains.

During the winter I ski 5-6 days a week, yes I'm obsessed with it just as much as skiing, and generally 40-50% of the time I will see an ambulance there. I did ski club through school and EVERY Wednesday night on the way out, we would see an ambulance outside the main lodge.

I ski extremely fast and extremely hard but I try to stay away from the jumps because I'd rather feel the feeling of flying on a rollercoaster because #1 it's higher and faster, #2 i won't break my neck.

um, i dont think anyone here thinks amusement parks are un-safe

---

Intamin Fan said:

I'd say the statistics are absolutely, completely low on fixed-based amusement rides. And what exactly is there definitiion of injury?

---

Their definition of injury was anything beyond first-aid.

Might I ask what is your source that makes you so confident that these statistics are that far off?

My source is that not every state has to report their injuries-minor or major. So how can eight claims of major injury be an accurate report if not every state has to report them? What if you develop a problem or condition after you've left the park due an amusement park ride? Does that count or not? I think it should, but again due to either parks paying off people, or spotty reporting, you're probably not seeing all major injuries.

Again, why do people insist on comparing things that are active to something that for the most part is completely passive? With few exceptions like bumper cars, bumper boats, antique cars, and go-karts, how much of what you participate in at an amusement park is of your decision? The last I checked, you sat down, pulled down the lap bar/harness and the ride operator pushed the start button which put you on a predetermined ride program or course.

Ride of Steel, I think it's spelled out in plain english on your lift ticket that skiing is dangerous, risky, and could even be fatal. I haven't been skiing in a few years, but I bet I could still find the warnings posted on the back of a lift ticket from any ski resort. Personally, I like jumps. I like not being attached to the ground:) Have I fallen on a few of them? Big time, but I've never been injured enough to have to go to a hospital or even seek first aid. A rollercoaster just doesn't have the same effect except for maybe Jack Rabbit at KW:) *** Edited 7/26/2006 5:23:06 AM UTC by Intamin Fan***

---

mike.s. said:
um, i dont think anyone here thinks amusement parks are un-safe

---

I don't go to those small or large parks that are barely making ends meet with money. But this topic won't change my mind on that though.

"Unsafe" is a horrendous choice of words IMO. Almost like there's an easy-to-read dividing line....

RELATIVELY speaking, most parks are quite safe. Relatively speaking, you do stand a better chance of being injured on the drive TO the amusement park. In relation to other manufacturers' rides, Intamin has a poor safety record in comarison to other "major manufacturers"...absolute declarations are not usually your best bet in a world full of "shades of grey"...

I think it is more likely to have a co-worker go berserk and go on a rampage than it is for you to get hurt at a park.
Will it hit the news? Only if someone gets wasted. How many times have you heard of fights or work accidents making the news?
Not very often.

---

Intamin Fan said:

Again, why do people insist on comparing things that are active to something that for the most part is completely passive? With few exceptions like bumper cars, bumper boats, antique cars, and go-karts, how much of what you participate in at an amusement park is of your decision? The last I checked, you sat down, pulled down the lap bar/harness and the ride operator pushed the start button which put you on a predetermined ride program or course.

---

Try telling that to the people who stand up on roller coasters or those who don't put their seatbelt on (I've seen it).

Regardless of the nature of the activity (how much you can determine the expereince) the statistic is still relevant (if it is accurate).

For every hour you play basketball you are about 140 times more likely to get injured than for every hour you spend at a park. Why is this not relevant?