Every summer, thrill seekers go to amusement parks to ride the world’s fastest, tallest, and most terrifying roller coasters. All of it gets our blood pounding and adrenaline flowing: the wind howling, the rails groaning, the loop-de-loops and stomach-churning dips. But have you ever wondered what goes on within our bodies?
When you first get on the ride, you think to yourself, “Oh wow, this looks amazing.” Then you start to notice how high you’ve become. And you start to grow frightened, wondering how high we’ll go. While you are on the roller coaster, the speed of the train on the rails can get so fast that the brain receives mixed signals. All of your body is moving up and down and the forces are felt by every organ of the body: brain,heart,eyes , and so on
What‘s happening in your body during the ride?
The thrills and spills of the roller-coaster get the heart pumping, no doubt. According to a German Research published in ‘The Journal of the American Medical Association’ in which coaster riders were implanted with heart monitors, heart rates climbed to over 155 beats per minute .Surprisingly, the fastest pulse rates were measured during the gradual rise to the top of the first drop, which emphasized the role of terror and anticipation the riders experience when they’re about to get their first big drop from height.
People enjoy terrifying situations as long as they are not in danger. A roller coaster ride, like viewing a terrifying movie, activates the fight-or-flight reaction, which releases a mixture of chemicals into your bloodstream. Adrenaline, dopamine, and cortisol are brain chemicals that provide an energy boost, making you feel more alert, alive, and powerful to scream your lungs out.
Roller coasters rely on gravity which may have some intriguing physical impacts on the body. On the ground, you experience 1G, or one-times the typical force of gravity. But on a roller-coaster, G-forces are significantly higher. The maximum G-force experienced on a roller coaster is 6.3, which is bearable since it only lasts a few seconds. Blood is pulled toward your feet when gravitational pressure rises, making your heart work much harder to send it back up to your brain. The average human body can take 5Gs, however at these levels, the brain is deprived of blood and oxygen, which can cause light-headedness, and brief blackouts. This is the reason you feel dizzy for sometime even after the ride. Blood circulation takes a while to get back to normal.
Motion, balance, and spatial orientation of the human body are perceived via interactions between our eyes and our Vestibular System, which is located in the inner ear. A roller coaster can cause the sight and ear to transmit mismatched information to the brain due to its abrupt and unexpected motions. For children, this inner turmoil is fascinating. Adults, on the other hand, who are used to more predictable motion, frequently experience dizziness, vertigo, or motion sickness.
What are the tips and tricks to have a safe roller coaster ride?
Make sure you and your family have gone through this safety checklist before going on the thrilling ride:
Follow the rules: A trip to an amusement park isn’t inexpensive. As a result, some parents may try to persuade a ride operator to let their child ride because they are “so near” to satisfying the age or height standards. However, entering a ride without fulfilling those conditions can put a child’s safety at risk. So, avoid doing it.
Follow all displayed warnings about rider guidelines and who should not ride due to health or physical constraints. Be honest with yourself about your health.
Dress appropriately: Loose clothing might become tangled in the ride machinery, posing danger of choking and other problems. Avoid wearing baggy clothes or flip-flops. Wear shoes that remain on your feet , so as to avoid getting your shoes hooked on something or injuring yourself.
Wash up and drink plenty of water: The spinning and bumping of rides, being outside in the hot weather, and eating salty and sugary meals may all make children, as well as adults unwell. Before the ride , drink plenty of water and consume healthy food rather than junk food.
Pay attention to the ride operators’ instructions on how to use the safety equipment, and how to enter/exit the ride. Although it may seem unnecessary, pay close attention. Majority of the accidents are caused by the rider’s carelessness.
Fasten all accessible seat belts, lap bars, and shoulder harnesses securely, pull them to make sure they’re secure, and keep them attached until the ride is finished. Double-check all the safety straps before you get on the ride.
It’s best not to try to capture photographs during the ride because it’s likely for a camera or phone to fall and damage or injure someone.
To prevent hitting nearby supports, branches, and other objects, keep your hands, arms, and legs within the roller coaster car at all times. Sit properly in the car without twisting, kneeling, or otherwise rearranging your body in a way that might compromise with your safety.
Despite subjecting the body to extremes, roller coasters are generally regarded as quite safe. Indeed, it is frequently the tremendous body feelings that make the encounter so thrilling. Simply pay attention to the safety concerns mentioned for each ride. Many roller coaster mishaps may be prevented with caution and a keen eye for safety. The ideal strategy to be a safe rider is to be a diligent, observant visitor who understands and follows safety warnings and directions, resulting in a joyful, accident-free theme park visit.There’s also the safer option of sitting on the sidelines and smiling as the screaming riders pass by.