Fainting while fighting dragons...

[Agirl]

I went to IOA for the first time. It was so much fun!! One of my favorite parts was Dueling Dragons.... but something odd happened on one of my rides...

I was in the front row of the Fire Dragon. We came down the first drop, and into the first inversion. And suddenly, the world got darker -- I had a bit of tunnel vision!!! It was as if I was going to black out, I guess. It cleared quickly and the rest of the ride went as smooth as ever. It turns out my friend had the same thing happen to her on two of her dragon rides.

Anybody else ever feel faint while riding the dragon? Any explanation of what may have been going on?

 

[BarryHom]

I've never had that feeling. I almost got sick on Fire's weightless camelback, though.

Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards

 

[MrNonacho]

That happens to me occasionally when going into Hulk's cobra roll. It usually means it's time for me to get something to eat.

 

[EUROPA]

Sounds like MrNonacho is fellow diabetic.

 

[jonathansullivan]

That happens to me on the Hulk, never had that problem on Dragons. Anyone know Scientific answers???

________________________
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Quarterly since birth!

 

[MrNonacho]

Europa-

As far as I know, I'm not diabetic or have any kind of blood sugar irregularity.

I'm pretty sure the faintness is from the blood rushing down from the head, but for some reason it only happens at precisely one spot on Hulk and only if I'm very hungry.

 

[matty12]

its happen to me a few times at busch gardens when you go threw the only loop on scorpion. it only happen to me after the tight turns after the 2nd flip on the fire dragon once. but since then it has never happen to me again.

 

[EUROPA]

Not to try to get off topic. Next time you have a doctors appointment ask them to do a finger stick for a blood sugar level. If you often fell dizzy or light headed when you haven't eaten or have trouble concertraing then you might be hypoglycimic. In this case your body makes too much insulin and cuases your blood sugar to drop. Tell your doctor when you make your appoinment that you want this test done. It is very fast and should not really add alot to the bill. They might tell you not to eat until after your appoitment. Not trying to make you worry but I recently had a doctor tell me that I had diabetes 10 years before it was caught 5 years ago.

 

[MrNonacho]

I'll jot that down, Europa. You've got me a bit worried here, though I probably shouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

The only place in my life that I've encountered the problem has been that one spot on Hulk, and even then its only maybe once out of 10-15 rides, but just to be safe I'll follow your advice the next time I see the doc.

 

[Dave OBrien]

If this happens on a coaster, don't worry about it. There is literally 4 seconds of this on the first drop of Milleninum Force. It's caused by heavy duty g forces which are highest during loops and turns. If you black out while walking around or other everyday activities, then be concerened. I actually like the black out, but that's me...

"Compose your final, loathesome dirge!"

 

[EUROPA]

I did not mean to make you worry. The others are right it is more than likley just the G-forces. After all we are not fighter piolts and are not used to thoes type of stresses on the body. Some bodys may handle it better than others. Like I said it is a very easy test that takes about 10 seconds and you can see the results very fast.

 

[MrNonacho]

Don't worry about me worrying, I slept fine last night . I'll still get the test, though. Might as well be safe.

Dave- I rode Millennium Force in June, and even that didn't give me any trouble. Hulk is my only nemesis (that I'm aware of).

 

[fervour]

I saw a TV broadcast years ago on some news-journal type , Discovery-Channel-type special about fighter pilots. On that show, the host explained that pilots flex leg muscles to force the blood back up to the brain when they our pulling heavy g-forces.---I can't remember exactly what all else.

Years ago I was riding the Mindbender at 6 flags and experienced tunnel vision. On my next ride I tried tensing my leg muscles and pushing against the floorboard of the coaster and never experienced the lightheadedness again.

Anyway, the point is, even if I don't have the right techniques, there are exercises you can do when you are pulling heavy g's to keep the blood from rushing to your feet.

 

[Molokai Gram]

I am slowly losing my nerve again....

 

[WestCoastMickey]

I always have a few seconds of extreme lightheadedness with a slight blackout right after the launch, while rolling out of the first inversion of the Hulk. And to be honest with you, I LOVE IT! PLus, after a few beer's, WOO-WHOO the thrill is even better.

 

[ILuvLucy]

I seriously doubt that your little "spell" has anything to do with your blood sugar....it is most likely the blood rushing from top to bottom! If it happens and you are walking around and you break out into a cold sweat, then I would suspect either you glucose or an anxiety attack! Don't worry about it.

 

[BarryHom]

Hey MG, I will hold your hand while you ride the coasters. If you spew, remember to aim for Robin.

Barry Hom
The moderator formerly known as Barry aka usagi
Moderator, Universal and Sea World Boards

 

[tnkrbell]

Didnt black out but I did get really wobbly when I got off! My dad and I still laugh how we now speak Chinese after riding that coaster!!lool you really lose your sense of where the heck you are!!

 

[iamleia2]

Ha! How funny! I thought this was like an uncommon thing! I was fine on the ice dragon, but then I went immediately on the fire dragon and started to get tunnel vision. I closed my eyes for a sec and it went away though. It kinda creeped me out, but it was kinda cool at the same time. I figured it was just the g's, like everyone said. How fun!

"The magic is as wide
as a smile and as
narrow as a wink, loud
as laughter and quiet
as a tear, tall as a tale
and deep as emotion.
So strong, it can lift the
spirit. So gentle, it can
touch the heart. It is the
magic that begins the
happily ever after."
THAT is Disney! ;-)

 

[WDWMaria]

<<<I saw a TV broadcast years ago on some news-journal type , Discovery-Channel-type special about fighter pilots. On that show, the host explained that pilots flex leg muscles to force the blood back up to the brain when they our pulling heavy g-forces.---I can't remember exactly what all else. >>>>


Yup, this is exactly what I do on all the coasters when I approach a high G turn.....I tighten up my thigh/calf muscles by basically straightening out my legs and pointing my toes hard. I know that almost blackout feeling well, but never get it if I do the leg tightening thing.
Maria