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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Ride operators at theme park.

249 replies

itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 20:52

So went to a theme park today with ds and his friends.

It was a lovely day and very quiet compared to usual visits this time of year.

I don't do lots of rides - I'm happy to bag sit!

But use a few and tend to do my favourite 2-3 times.

The last time we went on this ride today the operator was checking the seat belts. This is usual. Then didn't even look or communicate with me but pushed the overhead barrier down so hard I couldn't get a proper breath in and it's left one of my nipples very sore (bruised?)

Ds and I were both waving to get the attention of attendants but they didn't notice and by the time I got to the end I was really dizzy from struggling to breathe and the pain in my breast (I'm not exactly huge!)

As I got off the ride I went more dizzy so sat down on the step. Ds explained to the man about the breathing and his advice?

"If you need first aid there's a centre at x point" (over 300m away from where I was sat unable to stand up.

I did retort if I was well enough to stand up I wouldn't need to walk to first aid.

I reported to park management team wandering around but he said he can't do anything. To which I said - well he could report it but I'll be emailing because both situations were unacceptable and I know it's not the norm as I visit a lot and use that ride a lot.

I guess not really AIBU because I'm not - but I guess am I being unreasonable to think that's bad training re sending people almost passed out alone to walk to first aid?

OP posts:
Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 21:41

It's a good job the staff were medically qualified so as able to conclusively come to this conclusion...because the next time they decide, by themselves, that a person claiming to have breathing difficulties isn't worthy of immediate help, it my be someone having a heart attack.

I wasn't struggling to breathe at this point. When they realised the barrier and I stood up I became dizzy so did the sensible thing and sat down!

But apparently the ride operator wanted me to stand up whilst dizzy and walk to first aid 🤦🏼‍♀️

Once I was ok I stood up and went for a coffee!

I didn't need first aid - luckily Grin

OP posts:
ManateeFair · 12/08/2022 21:41

sending people almost passed out alone to walk to first aid?

Your DS alerted the operator. The operator told your son where first aid was, so I expect he meant that your son should go to first aid to fetch someone. That seems reasonable to me. You were dizzy, that’s all. You were breathing, clearly, or you’d be dead by now. People get dizzy and panicky or feel sick on theme park rides all the time, so the ride operator will be pretty used to this happening and know it’s not a huge deal. And as for the pain in your breast, I would assume you weren’t expecting him to take a look at that while people were queuing to get on the ride?!

Rainbowshit · 12/08/2022 21:41

The ride operators job is to walk round and push the safety barriers down as far as they can go to keep you safe on the ride. Ii find it quite odd that you found this in any way shocking.

HarryPotterDucks · 12/08/2022 21:41

to be honest You aren’t going to get any positive comments.

H3ll00 · 12/08/2022 21:42

No. If they stopped a ride every time someone wanted attention a lot of the rides would come to a stand still. If you were too ill to move assistance would have been brought over to you.

What was the weather like at the theme park today? Was the ride operator being made to stand outside all day in really hot weather which may have may have effected their performance?

We all make mistakes. The complaint may never be passed on to what is likely to be a seasonal worker. A quiet word with the operator may have been more effective

ManateeFair · 12/08/2022 21:43

When they realised the barrier and I stood up I became dizzy so did the sensible thing and sat down!

So you didn’t need first aid anyway and just needed to sit down. That’s fine then isn’t it? What did you want the operator to do? Hold your hand?

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 12/08/2022 21:44

Why couldn't your son go to the first aid place and bring them back?

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 21:45

Rainbowshit · 12/08/2022 21:41

The ride operators job is to walk round and push the safety barriers down as far as they can go to keep you safe on the ride. Ii find it quite odd that you found this in any way shocking.

I find it quite odd that Jai g been on this ride about 100 times before this is the only person who has ever done it.

Most people push the barrier down.

She didn't do this. She wasn't even looking at what she did and just shoved it really hard. Ds tried to alert an operator at the time.

I find it quite worrying that people here seem to think they know what happened better than me - who was there.

And no - he didn't try and send (physically disabled btw) ds alone to first aid. He told me to go if I needed to as I was sat down saying I was dizzy.

It shouldn't matter what caused me to feel that way. It wasn't an appropriate action.

OP posts:
kindereggxo · 12/08/2022 21:45

sending a picture of your breast with the complaint? really??!

SkygardenTower · 12/08/2022 21:46

That is very poor from the operators. I took a school trip to a theme park and one of the students felt faint and wobbly. First aid came then walked with us to the central area. Fully checked out and given some fast track passes.

Proper care and no one was ignored, panic attack or otherwise people should still be treated with consideration.

The restrait should not be lowered so it causes bruising, then no-one noticed you trying to get their attention needs highlighting so more training is given.

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 21:46

H3ll00 · 12/08/2022 21:42

No. If they stopped a ride every time someone wanted attention a lot of the rides would come to a stand still. If you were too ill to move assistance would have been brought over to you.

What was the weather like at the theme park today? Was the ride operator being made to stand outside all day in really hot weather which may have may have effected their performance?

We all make mistakes. The complaint may never be passed on to what is likely to be a seasonal worker. A quiet word with the operator may have been more effective

Not of this ride. The ride runs from indoors!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 12/08/2022 21:46

I don’t understand how the standard ride restraint could be tighter depending how hard the staff pushed it down. Surely down securely is the same no matter what?

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 21:47

Butitsnotfunnyisititsserious · 12/08/2022 21:44

Why couldn't your son go to the first aid place and bring them back?

Because a) they wanted me to get up and move and go there and b) he's physically disabled and autistic so couldn't have gone alone.

OP posts:
Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 21:48

kindereggxo · 12/08/2022 21:45

sending a picture of your breast with the complaint? really??!

Not my actual breast. There is a large bruised area of skin above it.

OP posts:
dehloh · 12/08/2022 21:48

He told me to go if I needed to as I was sat down saying I was dizzy.

I don't really know why you could just say 'I'm not able, can you get someone please?'

They are not mind readers. Dizziness is common after rides. It's ok to speak up, you seem to be able to do it for complaining purposes.

Somuchgoo · 12/08/2022 21:49

Sirzy · 12/08/2022 21:46

I don’t understand how the standard ride restraint could be tighter depending how hard the staff pushed it down. Surely down securely is the same no matter what?

A lot of overhead roller coaster harnesses can be pushed tighter (or not) to ensure a snug, safe fit. I write often push mine in an extra notch because I like it very snug. It's certainly possible to push it in too far, in a way that crushes your chest (and breast).

Sheetonthebed · 12/08/2022 21:49

If he could not go to first aid alone how does he get on the rides whilst you bag sit?

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 21:50

Sirzy · 12/08/2022 21:46

I don’t understand how the standard ride restraint could be tighter depending how hard the staff pushed it down. Surely down securely is the same no matter what?

Because they go down quite far for children.

So her force meant it went in extremely tight against me.

I just don't understand why she did it. It was forceful enough for my ds to be shocked and look up surprised.

Probably momentary lapse of thinking what she was doing.

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 12/08/2022 21:50

Within 40 minutes on this thread your breast went from bruised? to severely bruised. I reckon if it was severely bruised you would have mentioned it in the OP and not when the thread wasn't going your way.

Itisasecret · 12/08/2022 21:50

I can’t see how they shoved it so hard on checking it caused severe bruising. It should already be down and locked in at that point. I was at a theme park this week and they literally had about 30s to check all harnesses. It wouldn’t have gone down any further as my boobs were already firmly tucked in.

Did you block the ride from running afterwards? Then bum shuffle off? Sounds a bit OTT.

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 21:53

Sheetonthebed · 12/08/2022 21:49

If he could not go to first aid alone how does he get on the rides whilst you bag sit?

He had a friend there.

Friends never been to park so didn't know way around.

But regardless I didn't need first aid. But it ridiculous to suggest someone who says they are dizzy and needs to sit a minute to stand up and go to first aid if they need it 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
OutDamnedSpot · 12/08/2022 21:53

You laughed, joked about going down a cup size… then realised you couldn’t breathe?

er, you need to breathe to laugh or speak.

It definitely sounds like you had an unpleasant experience, but it’s time to let it go now.

SkygardenTower · 12/08/2022 21:53

It doesn't matter if the op was having a panic attack or being dramatic. There should be a procedure in place for a member of public becoming ill, which is nor just toddle off on your own.

The staff should have a walkie talkie to get help to come to them as a basic.

Meraas · 12/08/2022 21:54

This thread is a prime example of people just not believing a woman when she says she is in pain or has been hurt.

Irridescantshimmmer · 12/08/2022 21:54

You may have gone into shock, caused by the pain from the barrier being forcibly rammed into you.

The experience sounds quite concernung and if this happened to another person, none of us would know if they would be better or worse off than you were .

You may want or find an organisation which governs or awards licences to these 'organisation' which I think may be a council or local authority and complain to them. You may also want to speak to environmental health at your local council to see if any action can be taken against this parasitic induvidual and the organisation he works for.

You recieved injury at the hands of a prejudiced induvidual who delibratly caused you harm and this is absalutely disgraceful, he showed blatant dissregard for your safety.

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