Arms Down, Head Back, and Hold On?

Do you really need to do this? I can see some risk, but, is it that great of a risk?

Arms down- I see the risk of arms snapping back if they're up at the start of the launch, but what about after? Is it "unsafe" to have arms up over the top?

head back- Wiplash is possible... but is the starting force of TTD powerful enough? I doesn''t feel very strong...

and hold on!- Is this a "playful" hold on or an "order"? Does it make a difference if I clutch the grab bar or just have my arms at my side?

Well CP just does that for liability reasons. So if you don't follow their instructions and do get hurt its not their fault. Now I don't know about you, but as soon as the rain starts to luanch my hands are up in the air, and dont come down until we hit the brake run.

The forces exerted on the body by TTD's launch can cause injury... it is 1.5 G's... so if your body weighs 100 lbs, it feels like it's 150 lbs.

Not only could the lauch cause whiplash, it can also cause brain damage from the impact with the back of the seat... They do pad the backs of the seats, but it only stops your skin and your skull. Your brain still moves. Same thing in a car accident. That's why they put air-bags in, to slow the imact of your head down to minimize brain damage.

as for the arms down, you can tear your rotator cup in your shoulder, and that is very painful.

As for the hold on... The reason the grab-bar is there is 1) to give scared people somewhere to grab, and 2) to have you hold the t-bar down in case it ever came loose (fat chance).

There are multiple safety systems designed to keep you in that car, but the most important thing is yourself. The seatbelt and t-bar are there to keep you in, but if they fail, the only thing keeping you in that train is yourself.

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TTD 2003: 32
TTD 2004: 0
TTD Total: 32
Rollbacks: 0

*** This post was edited by topthrilldragsterfan 2/15/2004 5:59:41 PM ***

I remember not hearing that announcement on our ride (wasn't paying attention.) We were the second train to launch so I was paying attention to the launch sled. I remember holding on very tight but not to the bar, but to the seat. Well anyway (little memory there) I think it is a good idea because it keeps CP out of trouble if an injury happens. Also it helps to get you scared with the little "hold on!"

By the way, does anyone have a recording of this in the format of Windows Media Player? I really want to hear it.

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Remember, you cannot divide by zero. Did you know that .9 repeating equals 1? How about that you can reach infinity in an instant with series? I'm such a geek (and I'm proud!)

I have a video of TTD that i downloaded from somewhere and I can't remember where, but you can hear that very clearly, so if you want me to e-mail it to you, just post your e-mail address.
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Best Buy Front Lanes '01
Best Buy Front Lanes/Cst. Service '02
Best Buy Customer Service '03
Disaster Transport '04

It's the opening to my Dragster video...

http://capital2.capital.edu/admin-staff/dalthoff/adventures/movie.html

Sorry, not WiMP, but QuickTime 6.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I think brain damage is a little much in this situation...you're comparing TTD's 1.5 g launch to a car accident which can easily involve forces above 10 g's. I don't think you're health would be at a serious risk if you stuck your arms up or leaned your head forward a bit...it's just exactly what's been said: liability.

Also, if your lap bar and seat belt fail, you might as well jump out and die on the spot because you're the single most unlucky person in the universe and you'll probably get struck by a meteorite or be abducted by aliens on you're way home.

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"Distance runners are experts at pain, discomfort, and fear."

Go ahead and see my info, I'll let people see it for a week or so. Just click above this mesage. My e-mail adress is in there.

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Remember, you cannot divide by zero. Did you know that .9 repeating equals 1? How about that you can reach infinity in an instant with series? I'm such a geek (and I'm proud!)

I know someone that has gotten injuried because they had there hands half way up before the launch. And as soon as the train began to launch there arms flew backwards and caused a dislocated shoulder. As for the brain damage yes you will have some. If I remember correctly you hit your head even the little bit you will lose some brain cells.

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'04 TL Speed Zone
'03 Speed Freaks (Hats n Such)
TTD 72 rides (2 nonpaid rollbacks, 5 paid rollbacks)
TaeKwon-Do First Degree Black Belt. (1st dan)

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speedzonetl04 said:
If I remember correctly you hit your head even the little bit you will lose some brain cells.

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Man, I am in trouble then!!! I wonder if there is a test, brain cells before Cedar Point, and brain cells after Cedar Point.... (kinda like, your brain, your brain on drugs...)

The average person loses about 50,000 brain cells per day excluding brain trama, certain drugs and other powerful influencers. TTD doesn't cause someone to have accelerated brain cell loss over normal everyday activities. If you let your head smack into the headrest during the launch, then you are likely going to end up with a headache. If it really hurts, then I'm sure most people won't do it again... Unless someone lets their head smack into the seats 5+ times in a row, No problem.

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Eddy the retard is awesome.

48 launches and my arms were in the air before the train launched. I never even felt the slightest bit of pain. Like Raptor1116 said, it's all liability.
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Race for the Sky in 2004!
Dragster laps (2003): 48
~Opening day can't come soon enough!

Like I said you can get hurt.

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'04 TL Speed Zone
'03 Speed Freaks (Hats n Such)
TTD 72 rides (2 nonpaid rollbacks, 5 paid rollbacks)
TaeKwon-Do First Degree Black Belt. (1st dan)

Riiiiiiight, becasue Cedar Point would put in a coaster that could possibly injure their guests in anyway.

HMMMM I wonder if anyone has ever been injuried on a roller coaster at Cedar Point. YES Hmmm I wonder if they know that if you put your hands up before the launch could hurt you. Hmm makes me think there IS a reason they installed a button that the ride host can push that plays a recording "Hands down". Hmmmmm that makes since to me but hey I use my head ever so often. Hmmm shouldn't they take out Raptor then because people have got hurt on that finally turn up to the station. Also shouldn't they take out Mean Streak too since people complain about having a sore back after riding. Hmmmmm should I keep going?

Now heres another thought for you. Why would they need a liability? Hmmm to cover there ass in case if someone would get hurt. Oh wow what an idea.

Now I have a question for you why did u post this if its impossible to get hurt. "Well CP just does that for liability reasons. So if you don't follow their instructions and do get hurt its not their fault. Now I don't know about you, but as soon as the rain starts to luanch my hands are up in the air, and dont come down until we hit the brake run"

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'04 TL Speed Zone
'03 Speed Freaks (Hats n Such)
TTD 72 rides (2 nonpaid rollbacks, 5 paid rollbacks)
TaeKwon-Do First Degree Black Belt. (1st dan)
*** This post was edited by speedzonetl04 2/19/2004 3:43:15 PM ***

ooooooo so you get a little back pain from riding a caoster, oh boo hoo. Those are minor things, i wouldnt even call them "injuries." I've never heard of anyone dislocating their arms becasue of TTD, or any other coaster for that matter.

I have also seen on Wild Cat a kid tired grabbing a bar around the helix and guess what he got hurt. Yes I did say HURT. Hmmmmmmmm what about the Raptor incident where my friend hit there head and lost there hearing in that ear for about a month. See working there this pas summer I have seen alot of things. The keyword in your post is "heard" I have seen.

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'04 TL Speed Zone
'03 Speed Freaks (Hats n Such)
TTD 72 rides (2 nonpaid rollbacks, 5 paid rollbacks)
TaeKwon-Do First Degree Black Belt. (1st dan)

Speedzone-

After reading your post, numerous times, I am trying to understand what your point is. There are internet sites that record amusement park injuries, and the incidents that you have mentioned are not listed.
http://www.themeparkinsider.com/accidents/list.cfm
Could you please furnish some hard facts?
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Beer and golf Thursday thru Monday, Cedar Point & beer, Tuesday and Wednesday.

I'm trying to prove to Raptor1116 that its possible to get hurt on a Cedar Point ride. And do you think every single injury is on that website. And thank you for that web page as more proof that its possible.

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'04 TL Speed Zone
'03 Speed Freaks (Hats n Such)
TTD 72 rides (2 nonpaid rollbacks, 5 paid rollbacks)
TaeKwon-Do First Degree Black Belt. (1st dan)

Do any of you remember in 2000 when some guy supposedly hit his hand on a pole on Millennium Force while he was riding? They emptied that one whole side of the train until the staff found out it was pretty safe, but then ride hosts warned everyone as they checked lap bars/seat belts, "Keep hands and arms inside the train at all times". You never know what some people will do.

I have always put my arms up on the TTD launch and I haven't had a problem.....(knocks on wood).