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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:
birdfeeders · 12/08/2022 22:56

Bruises don't come up that quickly, do they?

Sweatinglikeabitch · 12/08/2022 22:57

I think they should have called first aid. I can't imagine it being deliberate but I do think they're often quite forceful but I think that's for a reason. I often take a deep breath as they do it as I do have panic attacks when I have my breathing restricted, I don't think you were having a panic attack, panic is a key ingredient, sounds like you were winded. I'd complain just so they know to do a bit of retraining.

NortieTortie · 12/08/2022 22:59

Oh wow!

Whenever staff have pushed down on my bar (at Thorpe Park, Drayton Manor, Alton Towers as well as local pop up amusements) they've said hey, I'm gonna push down, lmk if it's too much and I don't think I'm massive at a size 12-14...

Please send your bruises to management along with your ideal solution. Can't believe they'd just leave you like that!

ITriedToStopSwearingButICunt · 12/08/2022 23:00

Jesus, what a horrible thread.

So most of you think it’s OK for a ride user to endure pain, breathlessness and bruising when using a ride because the barrier is too tight, and then to receive no help when in distress? Injury is NOT a normal part of a theme park visit; if it were then there’s something badly wrong. What if the next time someone has a heart attack because of a too tight barrier?

And do some of you really think that there’s no complaint if someone isn’t seriously injured? That lesser injuries are nothing to comment on? Fucking hell.

OP, I hope your communication with the park brings some resolution, at least in the form of some staff training.

PollyRockets · 12/08/2022 23:00

So it was pressed down hard but you laughed it off

You got off the ride and didn't need to go to the first aid center and instead went for a coffee

Hardly a big deal is it

SheilaWilde · 12/08/2022 23:01

I can't imagine the scenario of a seat belt and then the overhead bit. Could you say which ride/theme park it is? Or post a generic stock photo of that sort of ride?

Your dizziness could have been caused by a lack of being able to take deep breaths - in the same way as a panic attack. What happened does sound worrying but I'm glad you're ok and hope you managed to enjoy the rest of your day.

ITriedToStopSwearingButICunt · 12/08/2022 23:01

And to all those claiming panic attack… panic attacks don’t cause bruises!

PicketRingFenced · 12/08/2022 23:02

Are you overweight?
Is that why the harness pushed into your breast ?
Could that be why they weren't overly sympathetic perhaps?

PrivateHall · 12/08/2022 23:03

OP that is such a horrible experience for you. The operator was absolutely completely at fault here, of course. Sorry you have had such crappy responses on here Flowers I hope you receive a satisfactory response to your complaint. I also hope that it hasn't put your son off going out as I know my daughter who has ASD would be hesitant to go back.

Quartz2208 · 12/08/2022 23:03

Theme park ride operators can be young and not trained properly
years ago when dd was 4 she went to a soft play area that you could shoot balls out of at chessington. One was out of action so they put a bucket on it and a post it saying do not use. Another 4 year old pressed the button the bucket shot up in the air and came down on the top of her head. Went to first aid they said she was fine and we were given a front of ride pass.
she wasnt - later she threw up became disoriented and spent the night in hospital with concussion
they offered £40 vouchers

constantpanic · 12/08/2022 23:04

Sorry I haven't read the full thread but was this Chessington on the Vampire ride?
They did this to my six year old last year, slammed it down hard because they were racing to see which could get the barriers down first. Left him winded.

OnTheRunWithMannyMontana · 12/08/2022 23:04

PicketRingFenced · 12/08/2022 23:02

Are you overweight?
Is that why the harness pushed into your breast ?
Could that be why they weren't overly sympathetic perhaps?

OP bruised and injured

MN massive - is it cos you are fat?

Dickheads

BlueReindeer · 12/08/2022 23:04

Fuck people are being harsh @itsgettingweird for no reason!
you were there, yoi know what happened and they shouldn’t question you.
i would absolutely follow up with the park, not least for the fact you asked for medical attention and the ride operator absolutely has the facilities to contact management for help or ask for first aid. You could be having a random heart attack or asthma attack, they were defensive knowing they hurt you.

KevinTheKoala · 12/08/2022 23:05

It does sound like a panic attack. That isn't patronising - they are awful, hence why sometimes people do end up in hospital with them and nobody is immune to panic attacks. You were on a ride requiring a safety harness so obviously the ride itself would increase your adrenoline levels, added to the fact that you were hurt and felt like you couldn't breathe properly that's a perfect storm for a panic attack. I'm not sure why that was so insulting to you. I think bruises are sometimes par for the course in certain rides, I love roller coasters and go on them often - sometimes I get bruises, usually I don't but they do happen occasionally. I'm also very small for an adult so sometimes the ride operators will use a little more force to ensure I'm fully strapped in if they think it seems loose. They should have radioed to the first aiders to seek assistance because they aren't medically trained (and are often teenagers on a part time job with minimal training) they're also aware that the rides need to be kept running on schedule and they have to check the next lot of people etc. While this shouldn't take priority over someone faling ill, as I said they are often very young and inexperienced and don't make the best decisions.

I doubt there was anything malicious in what happened, it sounds like a very unpleasant experience and certainly wasn't handled well but it doesn't seem like anything serious happened thankfully and I'm not sure what a complaint would result in. You'd hope more training for staff in what to do in those situations but frankly that's unlikely to happen sadly, it's a shame it's put you of returning.

PicketRingFenced · 12/08/2022 23:05

When my DS smashed his face on something he ran into at a theme park then first aid came running, to patch his bleeding head up.

I think these are the kind of things they run to you for at full pelt to help immediately.

It sounds like you were winded OP which isn't nice at all but could only have happened if you were a bit too large for the seat perhaps

BadNomad · 12/08/2022 23:07

It wasn't a bloody panic attack. The woman couldn't breathe because the safety barrier was constricting her chest. I'm sure she was panicking, because being unable to breathe is terrifying, but that wasn't the primary cause.

constantpanic · 12/08/2022 23:09

@PicketRingFenced my six year old was winded and he certainly was not too big (nor too small) for the seat. It was incompetence and disinterest.

escapeplanstruggles · 12/08/2022 23:10

ITriedToStopSwearingButICunt · 12/08/2022 23:01

And to all those claiming panic attack… panic attacks don’t cause bruises!

No but being hurt and winded before going on a ride that raises stress hormones could cause a panic attack.

Manekinek0 · 12/08/2022 23:12

PollyRockets · 12/08/2022 23:00

So it was pressed down hard but you laughed it off

You got off the ride and didn't need to go to the first aid center and instead went for a coffee

Hardly a big deal is it

I fully agree with this. If you couldn't stand up for 5 minutes then why would you have not gone to be checked out?

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 12/08/2022 23:13

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.

Surely they must have different levels of "clicks" though for different sizes? The restraint won't be able to close as tightly on me as it would a 12 year old. Relatively, yes, but in terms of closing to its tightest position, no.

SavingsThreads · 12/08/2022 23:13

God people are being dicks on here today

I get you OP. Even if you didn't need first aid, the operator didn't know that and should have been trained in how to help.

And for people just saying 'yeah sounds like a panic attack', a panic dying makes you feel like you're dying, not a bit dizzy.

ITriedToStopSwearingButICunt · 12/08/2022 23:15

escapeplanstruggles · 12/08/2022 23:10

No but being hurt and winded before going on a ride that raises stress hormones could cause a panic attack.

Show quote history

But being hurt and winded isn’t acceptable or par for the course on a ride! If it was a panic attack (OP says it wasn’t) it was caused by poor practice that needs reporting so it can be fixed.

Sometimeswinning · 12/08/2022 23:16

I literally went on the smallest ride ever. The Fish, Thorpe Park. Pushed down too hard. My kids said the same. If I had anxiety.over breathing it would have been hell on earth!

Theme parks cost an absolute fortune. They then add to It with fast track. But then there are posters on here. It's not their fault 😂

People need to up their expectations!!!

Sunnyqueen · 12/08/2022 23:21

How would a bashed boob affect your ability to walk or make you dizzy and light headed. That makes absolutely no sense. It sounds like you just got yourself worked up and in a tizz from having your boob bashed.

SheilaWilde · 12/08/2022 23:23

PicketRingFenced · 12/08/2022 23:02

Are you overweight?
Is that why the harness pushed into your breast ?
Could that be why they weren't overly sympathetic perhaps?

Fucking hell, really? 'Overweight' comment aside - you think it's reasonable not to get 'sympathy' if you're overweight? What on earth goes on inside your head to think that? So if the op was a size 8 and the same thing happened op would garner more 'sympathy'?
This shouldn't have happened and the op has done nothing wrong. People are being very harsh and complete area holes.