Tunnel injuries

[Paige 0]

Also been hearing of that 'step' playing havock on others. I hope everyone out there avoids it or heals up quick.

Maybe its just a bunch of coincidences or people talking. I hope either way things are going well for everyone out in the CA tunnel.

Tunnel Pink Mafia Delegate
www.TunnelPinkMafia.com

[vibeke 0]

Billvon

you write: "...and it behooves us to both listen to them and practice tunnel safety stuff (like standing or backflying) when possible."

Last winter me and two of my friends went on our first camp and shared 12 hours. I agree that safety is a considerably concern, due to the forces at play. Most dangers can be minimized by taking simple precautions and having good coaches and efficient tunnel rats in there

However, it took 6 days of continuous pleading to be allowed to walk the net! Its not something - in Orlando - they let everybody do. And when we did it, they started with the power really low. We were prohibited from standing upright, walking or flipping over to backfly unless we had a tunnel rat inside with us, ready to catch us.

It may be good practice, but its hard to get permission to do so! Why, if its a good thing?

_________________________________________________________
Your success and happiness, is in direct proportions to your commitment to excellence, regardless of your chosen field of endeavour.

[billvon 2,397]

>However, it took 6 days of continuous pleading to be allowed to walk the net!

Here in Perris, we took advantage of a "tunnel tricks" night where Christy taught us some basic tunnel tricks - launching from the net, walking, bootie flying, wall flying etc. They had two tunnel instructors there; one for normal spotting and one for talking to us on what to do next. It was a fun night.

>Why, if its a good thing?

I think because it can be potentially dangerous, and unless they're set up to teach that particular skill (as they were that night) people could get hurt.

[riddler 0]

I feel that the tunnel advertisements (video) that say things like "it's safer than skydiving" may mislead people into thinking they are safe. They are not - the energy of that much rushing air is considerable.

I was in the Vegas tunnel a few years ago, and one whuffo "neglected" to inform them that he had a dislocating shoulder, even after signing the medical form. The whuffo came down hard on the padding and his shoulder popped out. Tunnel stopped, whuffo ejected, more tunnel time for the rest of us.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[billvon 2,397]

>may mislead people into thinking they are safe.

Well, you're probably less likely to die if you do something stupid, at least.

[Avion 0]

I've got close to 90 minutes of tunnel time. I'm working on developing turning strength in my legs belly flying. A couple of times now I have brought one knee down and across my other leg, causing me barrel roll on to my back. So, I asked the instructor to show me how to get back to my belly without instructor assistance. Well the first instructor I asked evidently failed to describe the process in sufficent detail and what to avoid doing. The next time I went, I asked the instructor, a different one, if I could practice getting back to my belly from my back with a barrel roll, and showed him on the floor what I was going to attempt. He said, OK, but to signal my intentions first, so he could protect my head, because he said it is possible to break ones neck in the process. Well to make the story short, after I had signaled and the instructor had entered the chamber he thought I was going to continue back flying when I attempted to roll back over to my belly. I extended my legs too much and launched into the wall, just what we wanted to avoid. It was something less than a slam, but I felt it. So much for barrel rolls in the tunnel for me. I'll learn back flying first, as subsequently suggested, before I try that again :) Tunnels have their own risks.

[philh 0]

I was trying a flip through in the tunnel in Orlando. For those that aren't aware this is like gymnastic flares. I slid into the wall and thought it was just a bruise and carried on flying. It turns out I has subluxed my shoulder and was out of action for about 2 months.
Subsequently I have flown in the Perris Wind tunnel. I would not get in it under any circumstances without the heavy duty pads i bought from a rugby store.

[diablopilot 2]

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Well the first instructor I asked evidently failed to describe the process in sufficent detail and what to avoid doing.

Sounds like maybe you didn't ask enough questions. Didja sign the waver?

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[d_rock 0]

I think it is pathetically hilarious when people think that you couldn't get hurt in a tunnel or make jokes about it being "safer than skydiving." If anything it is much more dangerous than free fall, the only reason these injuries don't occur more ofter is because of strict tunnel rules. Wuffos and skydivers alike think that the tunnel instructors are just uptight when the are told that they can't do flips, etc.

[Michele 1]

Recently, I was injured in the tunnel - and I wasn't doing anything special (I can't...I'm not very good...). As I was exiting, I got a little high, and my hand slipped as I was pulling myself out. My right side re-entered the windstream, while my left leg was in the doorway. Somehow, I managed to get back over my left side, but also managed to rip the big tendon in my ankle...not completely, thank God, but still enough to make me take a trip to the Dr...and get my happy ass grounded until mid-April (at least).

Last night in the tunnel, I was particularly careful when entering and exiting...and did not duplicate the problem. But it still hurts and aches off and on...They tell me it hurts worse than a break, and I'm starting to believe that.


Ciels-
Michele

~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek
While our hearts lie bleeding?~

[Bodyflight.Net 0]

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If anything it is much more dangerous than free fall

In your opinion, how is it more dangerous. If you don't mind my asking..

Pink Suits, Blue Skies & Fast Air,
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[Paulipod 0]

I guess freefall technically isnt very dangerous at all! Its the landing thats the risky bit

Bodyflight Bedford
www.bodyflight.co.uk

[Bodyflight.Net 0]

How do you mean technically...?
Technically, in Freefall, YOU are travelling at a high rate of speed, in the tunnel, the air is traveling not you. When I bump into someone in the tunnnel its soft slow & easy, in the sky it's like running into a brick wall doing 120!

the latter is much more dangerous in my opinion.

[Paulipod 0]

High speed collision is certainly more serious in freefall - but I dont think as likely as a slower speed impact with a wall... I was just joking though that its the ground not the fall that hurts!

I think when people refer to 'dangerous' the severity of the injuries is probably the largest factor... not too many serious tunnel injuries thankfully to date (a few granted)

Bodyflight Bedford
www.bodyflight.co.uk

[rehmwa 2]

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Technically, in Freefall, YOU are travelling at a high rate of speed, in the tunnel, the air is traveling not you. When I bump into someone in the tunnnel its soft slow & easy, in the sky it's like running into a brick wall doing 120!

Frame of reference discussions here are specious. The relative speeds are the same. But you aren't injured by the air anyway, it's the other stuff. Likely the tunnel hurts less because people have less distance to create realtive high speeds before they collide (soft, slow, and easy) - conversely, likely the tunnel hurts more because there is more stuff to hit like walls, exits and a stiff wire net (not as true with an open construct tunnel though - just fall on the net). I suspect bigger tunnel issues tend to be twisted ankles and the occasional knocked noggin.

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Bodyflight.Net 0]

This started with the belief that Wind Tunnels are MORE dangerous than freefall...

I still don't see it..unless this is again a statement about SkyVenture being more dangerous than freefall and not TUNNELS, speaking in General.. ( I have previously been mistaken believing that the discussion was about Tunnels, when I was quickly corrected that they ONLY meant SkyVentures) since MOST do not have the wall to wall, exits and stiff wire net that it (SV) does. And plenty of indoor, recirculating and outdoor tunnels do not have those configurations, it's not just the outdoor ones.

[rehmwa 2]

Tunnels or freefall aren't dangerous so much as people are dangerous to each other and themselves. An idiot can hurt himself in a big pile of foam rubber if he's really on his game that day and there's nothing any of us can do about it.

I don't think the contribution of the environments available today are nearly as important compared to the contribution of the participants in regards to potential for injury.

Now if someone builds an airplane door or windtunnel structure composed of razor sharp spikes, I'll change my position, but this is really focusing on the wrong input. Facilities should only be required to take reasonable precautions. But it's the job of overeager government services to try to fool proof everything to the point that no one can afford to build any type of amusement rides.

Now I have to go to a meeting, so I need to roll up in bubble wrap and sharps containers and walk across our parking lot - per company SOP as mandated by the state of minnesota and the socialist republic of the USA.

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Bodyflight.Net 0]

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Tunnels or freefall aren't dangerous so much as people are dangerous to each other and themselves.

Agreed.. it is the Human Factor that makes it dangerous. I don't believe tunnels are more dangerous than freefall..

I really WAS hoping that the guy who said it would tell me his thoughts.. it's important to understand all perspectives, wether I agree or not!!