Pre-existing conditions and Roller Coasters

It seems that lately there has been a dearth of deaths on amusement rides pertaining to pre-existing conditions. With three at Disney, one at Busch Gardens, and another possible one at SFoG (rumored as of this writing), it seems to be an epidemic this season.

A couple questions that I think would be interesting for discussion here...

Have these deaths always been occuring, but not been reported by the press? Has the Mission Space deaths caused the press to be more aware of this issue?

Do these deaths give Senator Markey any more ammunition for his campaign against thrill rides and his ideas about limiting G-forces on rides? Most of these deaths are from high-G attractions where the high-G's were probably what caused the pre-existing condition to manifest itself.

Anyways, discuss!

These deaths have happened for decades...I can recall many, many deaths from pre-existing conditions. Mostly from aneurisms. (sp?) However, it seemed that there wouldbe maybe one per year, even in the "internet age" when news was readily available.

This year, even compared to other "internet" years has seemed EXTREMELY worse in terms of the number of these incidents. Why? I can't think of anything other than just chance. Rides haven't changed, number of riders hasn't changed, nor have people changed.

What can be done? I'm not sure anything. The know if your pregnant, have back conditions, etc not signage is there, the knowledge is out there (people to ride). The only option is have a Dr. exam, CT Scan, and XRAY before you board, etc. and that's just rediculous. *** Edited 7/28/2006 4:27:11 PM UTC by Peabody***

But it's not just Coasters.
A few of the deaths this year were on Flats.

I'm going to CLP next week, and i think i'm going to have my BP checked before i go. I've never done that before, but after all these reports, I better.

That's being paranoid...

Maybe its because of the hot weather blast we have had this summer.

^^I'm 44 yrs old, 20-40 lbs overweight and i smoke.... How's that paranoid? *** Edited 7/28/2006 4:49:27 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER*** *** Edited 7/28/2006 4:51:12 PM UTC by FLYINGSCOOTER***

"Dearth", I do not think that word means what you think it means. ;)

People are going to die somewhere, maybe amusement parks are the new 'elephant's graveyard'. :(

Inconceivable!

All I can say is people should get yearly physicals no matter if your in shape or not.

A heart murmmer, or blood clot can be found pretty easily. A anurisim however is more difficult but if you ever have a dizzy spell or blurred vision or something. Go get checked out. It's not the rides fault. If you were healthy to begin with you would not have died.

People with anurisims are just as likely to keel over from jumping up and down, on a baskeball court or from slamming the car brakes. Sadly there is no real way to know a rider is able to ride or not and most people don't even think about it if they've never had symptoms.

Also, half the people that are diabetic and have high blood pressure

DON'T KNOW IT!

Get checked out reguarly, no matter your age weight or anything.

We've also had a number of ride related injuries too, right? I know of SoB and wasn't there one at AT?

*** Edited 7/28/2006 8:39:03 PM UTC by ApolloAndy*** *** Edited 7/28/2006 8:39:18 PM UTC by ApolloAndy***

And Wild Thing. It's been a bad year in that regard too.

I think everyone should get their BP checked before going to a park. I'm pre-diabetic and I have to watch it at parks.

I was thinking about this whole issue after reading about the Goliath incident. I think it's a combination of the media loving stories like this and people who don't know/care about their physical ability to handle a ride. It's kind of a no-win situation.

And then there's the issue of kids riding. If a parent has a child screaming to ride something, the parent might just let them do it, whether or not the child can really handle it. Ride operators are then caught between telling the parent "I'm sorry, but your child can't ride because (insert reason here)", risking a p.o.-ed parent, and letting the kid ride anyway and risking a potential accident. Again, a no-winner. *** Edited 7/29/2006 1:20:16 PM UTC by ilovethewildone***

Warning! The US Surgeon General has just determined that LIVING is DANGEROUS to your Health! :(

^LOL! Well said!

And all this time I thought riding coasters was supposed to LOWER your blood pressure. ;)

-Tina

Isn't obvious what's causing all of these deaths?

It's Global Warming!!!

Because of America's laziness in not stopping global warming human bodies are no longer capable to handle these intense rides (rides which also happen to be harmful to the environment)!

This messsage brought to by Algore.

^I also heard that the theme music for Millenium Force has subliminal messages, and eggs are actually healthy for you this week. ;)

-Tina

*** Edited 7/29/2006 10:40:42 PM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

I am quite fortunate that despte being overweight, my blood pressure and blood work that I had recently done came back all clear... except for cholesterol level. I was actually surpised it was only 247... I was expecting it to be over 300 given my bad habbits in the past... guess the change in diet is working. (Less burgers, more mediterainian food - especially yummy greek salad!)

-Esch

Birthdays are actually very good for you. The more you have, the longer you live!