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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:
FlissyPaps · 12/08/2022 22:16

itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 22:13

I didn't panic.

Despite people being convinced I did!

But I know what panic attacks are like. When my mum was dying of cancer I woke up with them quite frequently. They are scary.

I was just unable

Show quote history

But you literally said upthread:

It was so forceful it shocked me and then I couldn't get a deep breath in to calm myself

I’m out. Good luck with the complaint OP.

HuffleWoof · 12/08/2022 22:18

You laughed with your kid about going down a cup size? Have a day off

Takentomybed · 12/08/2022 22:18

There are some very unempathetic people commenting here. They seem to be saying "that didn't hurt!" even though the OP has clearly explained that it did and she is bruised.
I think you should have been treated better OP at the theme park and also on here.

dampgreg · 12/08/2022 22:20

Two people have been killed at theme parks this week. One fell out of a moving rollercoaster. I can understand them wanting to double check harnesses

kindereggxo · 12/08/2022 22:23

you send the image to the theme park, then what? what exactly are you hoping to achieve from this OP? better standard practise, an apology, a free day pass?

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 22:24

dampgreg · 12/08/2022 22:20

Two people have been killed at theme parks this week. One fell out of a moving rollercoaster. I can understand them wanting to double check harnesses

Oh yeah so can I. They always double check. Occasionally they've said it needs to go down a notch and gently pushed it down. I've used this ride loads of times.

But that wasn't what she did. The force was unnecessary and she didn't even communicate with me. She wasn't even looking in my direction.

Not one staff member has ever done that in any of the times I've used that ride over the years.

The staff at this theme park generally very good which is why we return so much.

OP posts:
QuestionableMouse · 12/08/2022 22:24

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.

What and absolutely awful post. 🤔😐😐😐

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 12/08/2022 22:26

kindereggxo · 12/08/2022 22:23

you send the image to the theme park, then what? what exactly are you hoping to achieve from this OP? better standard practise, an apology, a free day pass?

I said upthread and said to park management today (which is in my OP) that i want better practice.

For whatever reason I felt dizzy and needed to sit down they were wrong to suggest I stood up, climbed a flight of stirs and walked to first aid.

Certainly not a free pass! I'm in no hurry to go back which is a shame because we visit lots usually.

OP posts:
Trinity65 · 12/08/2022 22:27

Sirzy · 12/08/2022 21:57

So by your own admission you where fine. I’m not sure what the issue was really!

This isn't a Court of Law

I have no idea why so many are being so Cuntish to you OP

BeesTreesSeas · 12/08/2022 22:29

Ugh, cannot believe that people are being so awful to the OP. The facts are that the restraint was too tight, they tried to call for attention and didn’t get it and the OP had to endure the ride, barely able to take a breath. Which resulted in a bruise. Whether the dizziness was a panic attack or not, she needed some help and was clearly disregarded. Agree with a previous poster, it’s not the operator’s job to decide what kind of dizziness is serious or not…if someone says they need first aid, they need to accept it at face value and call for it.

BadNomad · 12/08/2022 22:29

Honestly. This site sometimes.

I get what you're saying, OP. The safety barrier compressed your chest so much that it left a mark and meant you were unable to breathe properly for the length of the ride, which caused worsening lightheadedness and dizziness on departing the ride. Then instead of anyone doing any kind of first aid check or getting help, they left you there unwell on the steps.
That is shocking behaviour. You really should put in a complaint. What if the next person is having a heart attack, or an asthma attack, or a stroke, and they just say "go to the first aid point over there" then get on with their day.

Boreded · 12/08/2022 22:32

Oh ffs…really?

GyozaGuiting · 12/08/2022 22:37

Op, with kindness, that sounds like a panic attack. I’ve had them. There’s no shame in them and it doesn’t make the situation any easier. I say this as when you got off, and could breathe, the physical feelings should have dissipated.
I can see why the staff didn’t take it more seriously as a lot of people don’t understand them and you can’t see the turmoil the person is going through.
But hugs to you Op, they’re awful.

LubaLuca · 12/08/2022 22:39

It sounds unfortunate, but it's not unusual to come off a ride feeling a bit battered. I felt like I'd been in a fight when I came off Space Mountain.

The time to say you couldn't breathe was before the ride left the platform - joking about the size of your breasts with your son wasn't the right thing to do at that point. Trying to get through a whole ride feeling crushed would make anyone panic, so it's no wonder you felt a bit weak getting off. First aid wasn't required though, and staff are allowed to let customers use their own initiative to call for assistance or not - if they called first aid for everyone who looked a bit wobbly coming off a rollercoaster they'd never be doing anything else.

jobbr · 12/08/2022 22:43

I was a theme park host at 16-18. You should have paid attention. You are trained to push it as hard as it goes til it clicks for safety. Either you were distracted and that’s your fault or you’re bigger and felt the pressure more.

they did nothing wrong. Your complaint won’t be taken seriously behind closed doors. We got this all the time and it was so annoying. Pay attention.

Nicknacky · 12/08/2022 22:46

What ride were you on?

HeckyPeck · 12/08/2022 22:47

FlissyPaps · 12/08/2022 21:55

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

I didn't need first aid - luckily

Then what is the whole point of this thread? If you didn’t need first aid what is the point in complaining about the 2 staff members?

It clearly wasn’t an emergency.

You have a bruise? Bruises are expected when going on rollercoasters where you will be thrown a round a little due to the G-force.

Would you rather the safety barrier be too loose? For you to fall out mid-ride? Ending up dead?

I've been the loads of theme parks and have never ended up with bruises from someone ramming a harness down on me. In fact I've never been bruised from any theme park rides and certainly don't expect that. What a weird thing to say.

Sorry you've had such arsehole replies OP.

It's incredibly shitty health and safety to tell a dizzy person to climb a flight of stairs.

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 12/08/2022 22:47

Wow. Looks like we could solve the NHS staffing crisis with the number of experts on here!!! Get your CVS in ladies!

OP - it's so fucking annoying when people dismiss physical symptoms as "just a panic attack". I don't think you are being dramatic at all.

And even if it did turn out to be a panic attack it was very irresponsible of the ride operator to not call for first aid to support.

Yes I would complain too.

Oblomov22 · 12/08/2022 22:48

I disagree with most. I don't think you are being overdramatic at all. I think the suggestion of a panic attack is incredibly insulting. This wasn't a panic attack. It was firstly the shock of it being pushed too hard. Secondly and worse, the effects of it crushing and therefore struggling to breathe.

Mangledrake · 12/08/2022 22:49

This is an utterly mad thread. Hope you get a good response from the park OP

Staff need to be looking at people when they bring down safety belts etc to ensure they're secure (and not caught in anything). It's not being extra safe to ram them down hard as possible. It's unsafe.

Someone in the OP's position could certainly have a panic attack. Or they could be bruised and dizzy from having their chest compressed. Or both. Since OP has experience of panic attacks, why not believe her here? Why not believe her anyway? And either would be cause to contact first aid.

Theme parks aren't so important that attendants have no time for / duty of care. If a woman's unwell and you're an employee, of course you make arrangements to call or get them to first aid. They're not running Japanese bullet trains - they're not on an extremely tight schedule. Safety comes first, and all of the attendants' actions suggest they've forgotten that.

Unforgettablefire · 12/08/2022 22:49

kindereggxo · 12/08/2022 22:23

you send the image to the theme park, then what? what exactly are you hoping to achieve from this OP? better standard practise, an apology, a free day pass?

Comp? Grin

Nursemumma92 · 12/08/2022 22:50

I can't actually believe how rude some of these comments are.
To have suffered any bruising at the hands of 'safety' equipment on a theme park ride clearly demonstrates that they weren't used properly.
The ride operator's response to you (or lack of) was awful... maybe they do get lots of people feeling dizzy after rides, but they should have at least asked you if you needed any help?! I would send an email as it sounds like what happened was not acceptable.

Nursemumma92 · 12/08/2022 22:53

jobbr · 12/08/2022 22:43

I was a theme park host at 16-18. You should have paid attention. You are trained to push it as hard as it goes til it clicks for safety. Either you were distracted and that’s your fault or you’re bigger and felt the pressure more.

they did nothing wrong. Your complaint won’t be taken seriously behind closed doors. We got this all the time and it was so annoying. Pay attention.

@jobbr the ride attendant put down the safety barrier with her back to OP and when they tried to get her attention didn't respond? They are responsible for the safety of the passengers... they need to 'pay attention'

Oblomov22 · 12/08/2022 22:54

This thread is disgusting. The nastiness to OP is shocking.

IllTrytobenice · 12/08/2022 22:55

Good grief, a woman says she's been hurt and some strangers on the Internet diagnose her with a case of the 'drama llamas'.

Some pretty unkind comments here! Sorry you had a horrible experience OP.