How to Survive a Terrifying Roller Coaster

When most adults go to an amusement park, the first thing that they think of is the roller coaster. These thrilling rides have been around for over one hundred years, and as the decades pass, they get wilder and crazier. The record for the tallest and fastest roller coaster is set anew just about every single year.

Due to improvements in technology, the old up and down wooden roller coasters that go out and back like the Racer at Kings Island have been replaced by twisting tracks that cross over and under while tipping at a severe angle--and that's just the wooden coasters. Of course, the Coney Island Cyclone was an early version of these wild rides, but many of the coasters build until the 1970s and 1980s were pretty bland. The Beast at Kings Island was one of the first coasters to break the mold and debuted in 1979.

While wooden coasters have gotten wilder and crazier, new steel coasters have begun to do things that were unthinkable just 30 years ago. Now, coasters have riders lying down face first, sitting with legs dangling and then getting shot up a hill at a 90 degree angle. These rides can be pretty terrifying for those who have not been initiated into the world of roller coaster riding.

Literally millions of people ride roller coasters on an annualized basis. As long as these people have no major health problems, just about 100 percent of them get off of the ride after it's done. There are few problems for people who ride the roller coasters.

There is the rare example of someone falling out of a roller coaster and dying, but they are few and far between. Your heart may be racing and you may feel the adrenaline. It's most likely fine. Unless you've had a recent heart attack or have a heart condition, there is little likelihood that you will die.

This should go without saying, but some people may feel that they need a little bit of liquid courage to feel safe on a roller coaster. There are examples of people being too drunk and getting injured or dying on roller coasters or other park rides. Don't let this be you. Stay sober enough to keep your faculties about you when riding a roller coaster. Also, keep the first suggestion in mind. Nearly 100 percent of roller coaster riders come back safely to the station.

This should also be common sense, but there have been a few crazy folks who have decided to try to stand up or get out of a moving roller coaster train. These people can obviously fall out and die. As long as you stay in the car, you should be fine.

All roller coasters have some sort of restraint to make sure that riders stay in the car. Park attendants are always on the lookout to make sure that passengers are strapped in correctly. Lap bars and shoulder harnesses are very common on roller coasters and they are locked securely by the attendants. Some roller coasters also have seat belts. If they are available, use them. They will keep you more secure. If you are worried, think again about the first piece of advice. Think about all of the people who have made it through previous rides.

Like most of the other points mentioned regarding how to survive a roller coaster ride, this one should be common sense. Those who are prone to motion sickness should completely avoid heavy meals before riding a roller coaster. The repercussions of eating too much can become readily apparent to those who eat, and, more likely, those who are sitting behind or standing below them.

Small meals that give energy but do not overfill a rider a to be preferred. If you do decide to eat a big meal, it's probably a good idea to walk around and find some less intense rides for an hour or two. If you follow these quick tips, your roller coaster experience should be a lot more enjoyable, although it could still be pretty terrifying. Who knows, you may find that you'll be able to ride with no hands after a few trips.