While deaths from amusement park rides are relatively rare, injuries may be much more common than you realize. NBC News reports that from 2010 to 2017 there were 22 thrill-ride-related deaths but an estimated 30,900 injuries in 2016 alone that were serious enough to send people to the emergency room.
If your child sustains an injury on an amusement park ride, time may be of the essence. The following guide may help you respond appropriately.
Locate the first aid station upon arrival
If your child exhibits symptoms of a severe injury, you want to know where to go ahead of time. Before you do anything else upon arrival at the park, locate the first aid station.
Know the symptoms
Bleeding or bruising are obvious signs of injury, but some symptoms are much more subtle. Numbness and tingling, fatigue and dizziness, nausea and vomiting or severe headache are all signs of potential brain or spinal cord injury, especially if they come on suddenly.
Use discretion in allowing your child back on the rides
Sometimes symptoms resolve themselves quickly. If your child seems to be back to normal within a short time, you may allow him or her back on the rides as you feel comfortable. However, use your judgment and trust your instincts. If your child claims to feel better but still does not seem to be acting as usual, you should not allow him or her back onto the rides.
If you believe your child has had an amusement park injury, always err on the side of caution. When in doubt about your child’s condition, see the first aid station. Call 911 in a medical emergency.
