UNSAFE: Great American Scream Machine

Wow, this is a crazy topic. Two years ago GASM was a little jerky, last summer it was damn smooth and I had a great ride, but to each is there own. I look forward to riding again in June.

It certainly isn't a bad ride. Like I said, the front seat I won't due. Just thinking about that upward climb to the midcourse after the 3rd loop gives gives me a body ache

This is an Ivy League school were talking about here. That's a legitimate link to a legitimate school in Philadelphia for all the ignorant people who've responsed. My dad and sister are alumni. So enough of defending the school.

This is the wrong place to bring up a discussion like this in my opinion. It doesn't belong on the trip reports page, as it isn't a trip report, but an injury report. It should've been reported to the park BEFORE you left (there's a sign at the exit asking patrons to do so).

Unfortunately, you didn't pay attention to what was going on. I know that sounds blunt, but if your ears are blocked up for an extended amount of time and you haven't been at either a) Ozzfest all day parked in front of the speakers or b) been swimming or c) been on an airplane, I'd be very concerned

I have had a mix of experiences with GASM, but suprisingly the last few years have been very good, even in the front seat. I think a good part of that is knowing how to anticipate what's coming (and bracing accordingly), which a person riding for the first time doesn't know how to do.

As far as the headbanging goes, it's very lucky you missed Viper, the Togo coaster that was absolutely brutal and thankfully torn down for El Toro. But I will agree that any Vekoma SLC (why do you think everyone calls them hang-and-bangs) or pre-lapbar Premier LIM coaster could be just as bad if not worse than GASM.

edit: So I went to the MayoClinic website, and this could be a potentially serious injury that may not heal correctly--ever. They say it usually heals on its own, but it could take weeks to months. One of the potential causes of a ruptured eardrum could be someone slapping you upside the head. A coaster traveling at 65mph or more and slamming your head into a OTSR could definitely be possible of that.

*** Edited 5/17/2006 5:15:20 AM UTC by Intamin Fan***

Don't know if this is the same person or someone else, but I found this today:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/reviews/six_flags_great_adventure/accidents/

^Interesting. from 06/20/2003.