Why Do People Pass out on Rides?

Are you one of those people who feels a bit dizzy and weak every time you think of taking a ride on a rollercoaster?

Have you ever passed out in fear while taking a ride on a roller coaster? If you’re wondering why that happened to you, you’re definitely in the right place!

In this blog, we will share with you the reasons why people pass out on roller coaster rides, how dangerous it can be, and if there are any underlying health conditions that need to be addressed if you feel faint and pass out on rides.

Let us start by addressing the most crucial question: Why do people pass out on roller coaster rides?

Why Do People Pass out During Roller Coaster Rides?

People pass out on roller coaster rides due to a hormone known as the adrenaline hormone. Adrenaline is responsible for a body’s “fight or flight decision” during a stressful situation. 

Adrenaline released from the adrenal glands floods the brain. This results in a slowed heartbeat and decreased arterial pressure, causing the person to blackout!

During a roller coaster ride, the gravitational force keeps constantly changing according to the change in position of the coaster.

Due to this, the gravitational force acting on the body also keeps changing, resulting in the shortage of blood and oxygen in the brain, leading to blackouts.

Roller coasters might be challenging for anyone who has a lot of trouble dealing with stressful situations.

If the sight of blood makes you dizzy, and every scary scene in a horror movie causes your heart to jump, you might be someone who has issues with stressful situations.

Neurobiologists have conducted research for numerous years which gave us concrete evidence about why some people might pass out during a scary roller coaster ride!

Some people have also experienced “redouts.” A situation in which blood supply to the brain increases drastically, leading to unconsciousness!

Understanding the Risks of Rides

Rollercoasters, as we know, are full of ups and downs. If you are an adrenaline junkie, the chances of you passing out on a rollercoaster is quite feeble.

For you, it will be a thrilling adventure and an experience of a lifetime.

However, if you are someone who gets scared easily, the potential risks of a roller coaster ride increase manifold.

The risk factor ranges from blackouts to grave circumstances such as heart attack, stroke, or whiplash effects!

One of the least talked about risks of a roller coaster ride is the dissection of arteries.

This is a situation wherein the arterial walls tear up due to constant fluctuation of gravitational force.

This can ultimately lead to a stroke.

Not only that, anxiety attacks are common among people on roller coaster rides. People may also suffer from internal hemorrhage, wherein blood from torn capillaries will seep into the lungs and restrict oxygen flow.

Brain damage is also not unheard of, although it might be very rare!

Understanding the Risk Factors in Your Health

Before you get on a roller coaster and experience an adventurous ride, there are certain parameters of your health that you most definitely need to reconsider.

If you are someone who has been suffering from herniated disc disease or other forms of spondylitis, you might want to keep away from roller coasters.

Pregnant women, people suffering from heart diseases, such as heart attacks or chest pain, and people who have pacemakers should consider avoiding roller coaster rides.

If you suffer from low blood pressure problems or you are anemic, you should also take caution.

Adequate oxygen supply to the brain is crucial in order to prevent blackouts. If the blood is not carrying enough oxygen to the brain, there is a probability of brain damage.

Additionally, patients suffering from asthma should also stray away from the rides for the very same reason.

A decreased oxygen content in the blood can slow down your pulse, ultimately leading to coma.

Precautions to Take Before Going on a Ride

If you’re an adrenaline junkie who can’t stop yourself from jumping on a scary roller coaster ride, be aware that you might need to maintain some precautionary protocols to stay safe.

The last thing you want to do is pass out from a ride.

  1. Drink a lot of water in order to stay hydrated throughout the ride. Sometimes, dehydration can easily lead to a deficiency of oxygen in the bloodstream, which might cause you to feel lightheaded!
  1. Make sure to keep your head facing in the direction of the ride. Turning or tilting your head in other directions might cause an imbalance in air pressure within the ear. This might lead to intense pain and blockage in the ear!
  1. If you have a history of blacking out in stressful conditions, try taking long , deep breaths during the ride. 
  1. Visit a doctor if you feel any unusual discomfort of any kind after a roller coaster ride. There might be a possibility of grave problems within the body that needs immediate medical attention!
  1. If you feel uneasy or sick, always choose to opt-out of a scary coaster ride! Remember, your life is more precious than meaningless peer pressure!

Takeaway

If you happen to faint on a rollercoaster, try not to panic. Adventure parks take safety and health seriously, and will be there to assist you.

However, the best way to ensure your safety is to properly assess your health.

Recall if you have any serious medical conditions that can affect your health during the ride.

Don’t step on a ride if you do not feel well.

Being healthy is far more important as compared to taking miscalculated and fatal risks. Take proper precautions and enjoy your ride without passing out.

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About the author

I have always been a shopaholic. A lot of times my questions went unanswered when it came to retail questions, so I started Talk Radio News. - Caitlyn Johnson

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