Blacking out

[alex_1]

I rode superman twice on Monday, both times in the back seat and both times I greyed out for a couple of seconds on the first turn into the camelback. Nothing major, but it surprised me as I've ridden superman a few times in the front and middle of the train and never had that problem. Back seat does seem to be more intense, as well as a bit more rough. I feel a bit embarrassed about it as I know superman isn't exactly the most intense ride, so I wouldn't stand a chance on some of the rides in America, namely Intimidator 305. It may have been because I was dehydrated that day or maybe I'm just pathetic. Have you ever blacked out / greyed out on a ride?

[Reanimated35]

Front right seat of superman. Looking straight down to the right, as we crest the hill suddenly looked up then down to the left. Started to see black spots closing in from either side of my eyes. Only ever happened once. Never had any issues with the overseas coasters. I probably had bad blood pressure or something

[Bmull19]

I have the same problem the further back I go on the train. I think it's the sudden change in force - I think it goes from 4.2g to -1g in that section. The only reason I could think going further back in the train would alter that is simply the speed that it passes different track sections at. For example, going down after the top hat, the front moves slowly, whereas the back moves quicker as the front is 'pulling' it down.

[GoGoBoy]

Yeah I hate that feeling and it has happened to me. I think some people are most susceptible to it than others. I also experience motion sickness which is why I prefer 'fun' rides as opposed to really intense G-force rides. The 2 coasters that made me partially black out were the Backlot Stunt Coaster at Canada's Wonderland (but apart from that brief section where it occurred, I actually liked the ride) and Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Edited January 11, 2012 by GoGoBoy

[Reanimated35]

I loved Goliath. They even warned us people are likely to black out on it

[tipsy_bella]

I blacked out on Goliath (on the helix of doom) and back row of Batman. Both at SFMM.

[MaxxTheMonster]

I black out on Superman back carriage just after the first turn and usually come back around just after going through the building, Lethal Weapon going into the half loop front row only and come to during the camel back after the twists, Cyclone (front carriage) going into the half loop and come to during the braking section. I also used to black out on the Thunderbolt coming out of the second loop. Cant go on the Reef Diver or whatever they call it now. Blacked out once and didn't come to quickly so they had to e-stop the ride and I came to as we were almost fully lowered. Can't do The Claw for a similar reason.

[mattcrombie]

I know this feeling. I have only had it once. It was on Sheikra at Busch Gardens. The 1st drop vertically down, i blanked out for a second, my mate also did.

[CruiseSF]

yes the back of the train, experiences the most forces due to being pulled over hills and inversions while the front is going slowly around.

[MacPark]

I have had it happened a few times. The hulk at Universal Orlando and Viper at Six flags Magic Mountain. It just happens sometimes. It could be alot of factors. Nothing to be embarassed about.

[MaxxTheMonster]

"Blacking out" usually requires some sort of circulatory inadequacy. I know in my case I have high blood pressure. Each element I black out on has increased G-force and as such my blood pressure drops suddenly causing said circulatory inadequacy.

[GoGoBoy]

I have had it happened a few times. The hulk at Universal Orlando and Viper at Six flags Magic Mountain. It just happens sometimes. It could be alot of factors. Nothing to be embarassed about.

Yes, the Hulk! I forgot about that one. I know it's pretty popular but I found it to be a really nasty coaster. Waaay too forceful for my liking. Much preferred the Duelling Dragons coaster in the Harry Potter area. It was intense but bearable

[Psycho]

I know this feeling. I have only had it once. It was on Sheikra at Busch Gardens. The 1st drop vertically down, i blanked out for a second, my mate also did.

I had the same experience on Sheikra, except it was in the middle of the Immelmann.

[alex_1]

Well it's good to see I'm not the only one who has blacked out on Superman. I'm not too bothered about a small grey out, but I was just thinking that maybe something like Intimidator 305 would give me an awful blackout if superman could give me a mild one.

[qldtaw]

I passed out completely on Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure... i was on a TPR trip so i was exhausted and dehydrated from days of partying and no sleep. We had a really short amount of ERT ahead of the public which actually made it worse! We got sent once and i greyed out over the crest of the tower... Once we came back into the station the general public were all running to queue as the park had opened. The op came over the loud speaker and said they would send us one more time, so our harnesses were all re-checked and BOOM! I passed out as we rushed along the launch and my mate next to me said i was dead weight flying through the crest, which looked hilarious, like a rag doll! I came too just as the coaster was leaving the end of the top hat.... all i could see was the curve of the track and the ground. It was one of the most terrifying things i have experienced... when i was coming too i had no idea where i was. I am said that i wasted my bonus 2nd ride on Kinda Ka!

Edited January 13, 2012 by qldtaw

[alex_1]

Would be quite an interesting experience waking up all confused to realize you're on top of the tallest coaster in the world

[mikk]

those of you that black out, apart from doing things to try to be more healthy (eating healthier and exercising) should try tensing the lower part of your body (abs and legs) hard at those places on the ride where you black out. it means less blood moves to the lower part of your body, meaning more blood for your head so you don't black out.

[alex_1]

What makes you think we're not healthy But good tip, I'll try that next time.

[WalleyWorld]

Funnily enough I've had this experience on Sea Viper in the back row through the vertical loop. My vision kind of blurred and I started to see black spots closing in from either side of my eyes. I didn't mind it, just took me by surprise. It happened multiple times during my last visit; wasn't just a once off.

[MaxxTheMonster]

Tried it, doesn;t work. No matter what I do I will black out, thanks for the high blood pressure dad.

[CruiseSF]

If you black out try and stay as close to the middle as you can, and if possible go more to the front then the back. the back feels the most forces because it goes through the loops and turns then the rest of the train.

[MaxxTheMonster]

Blacking out is lack of blood to the head... How does sitting closer to the front on Superman work when it is the fastest section through the first vetical climb?

[strop]

I don't think it is while climbing vertically that you tend to black out, but rather during either negative Gs, or a rapid change from positive to negative Gs. I haven't blacked out on SE, but did have an experience with blackouts at Knott's. At the start of the day I didn't blackout on anything, but after a full day of riding coasters nonstop (and I mean nonstop, everything was a walk on all day) I started blacking out, at first just on Silver Bullet, but then increasingly on others too. So, don't know that my blood pressure would've risen or deteriorated during the course of the day, but perhaps fatigue can contribute? Just thought I'd share incase it eluded to other possible causes...

[MaxxTheMonster]

Every blackout I have is during positive G's not negative.

[CruiseSF]

Its is mostly when you hit the bottom of a hill, just like the end of the top hat for superman. The front also experience's similar g's on that though, but instead of at the end its at the start. The back will also experienced g's at the top when the front is already going down but it is still going up, so it get pulled over the top at a higher speed. That is also why I said to try and sit in the middle.