Fear of using Hyperion, Zadra, or Aztec Swing is a normal defensive reaction of our body. It is similar with bungee jumping. The longer we stand on the platform, the harder it will be for us to jump. The body will defend itself, the heart rate will increase, breathing will quicken, and the palms will become sweaty. However, believe me, Using the attractions at Energylandia is as safe as possible. I say this as I myself experienced stress during my first ride on Zadra and Hyperion, and the ability to ride without holding came to me only after a few rides. Of course, each of us has different predispositions and one person will raise their hands on the slope during their first ride on Hyperion, while another will need 10 rides to do so. In this post I will try to explain to you what and who watches over our safety and whether the attractions in Energylandia are safe.
How common are accidents in amusement parks?
It has been calculated that the probability of dying in an amusement park is 1 in 834 million. Maybe these numbers don’t mean much to you. To illustrate Flying an airplane carries a risk of death of 1 in 215 million, and yet it is said that it is the safest means of transport.
Do you know how many people die from shark or cow attacks every year? More than in amusement parks! We are even more likely to be fatally struck by lightning than to fall out of the safety of Zadra or Hyperion. The international association of stationary amusement parks around the world has slightly different statistics, saying that accidents that threaten our lives happen 1 in 16 million. For comparison, according to the Central American Institute of Meteorology, we will be struck by lightning with a probability of 1 in 775 thousand (not millions!).
When Energylandia celebrated its first birthday in 2015, 335 million people visited all the amusement parks in the world. They took 1.6 million rides on rollercoasters and other attractions. The best part of it all is that none of those 335 million in 400 parks around the world were harmed.
Who and what ensures safety at Energylandia?
The list of security measures and people responsible for our safety during a ride, even on a family rollercoaster, is really long. You have to start with a large group of employees. Those There are about 500 mechanics, maintenance workers and equipment operators in Energylandia. They oversee the technical condition of each attraction and safe operation throughout the day. These employees begin work many hours before the first guests are admitted at 10 a.m. Very early in the morning, mechanics begin their rounds, performing inspections of the most important elements in the attractions. If any defect is detected, they proceed to remove it. Operators must also be at their stations before opening and usually perform several test runs, still without passengers.
Another issue concerns the construction of rollercoasters themselves. Take a look at the wheels as you wait for your ride. Notice that the wheels are not only located above the track, but also underneath and even on the side of the track. This configuration makes it virtually impossible for the train to derail!
How do safety systems work on attractions?
In addition to all this there are dozens of sensors. They are located both in the protection of each person, at the station, but also in many places on the track and in the braking section. Signals from the sensors flow to the CNC controller, which, based on the pulses, knows exactly when the train has stopped, when it has started and when it is going too fast. Thanks to this data, the controller is able to react appropriately and, for example, slow down the ride at the right moment. What’s more, If any of the sensors indicates that you are not properly fastened, the train will not start. Even I personally had an incident where the operator told the employees the seat number on which they had to check and tighten the safety catch. Sometimes it was me. After tightening, I usually felt discomfort, but only for a moment. At least I was sure that I was properly fastened.
Another issue concerns the design of the attractions in the amusement park. Designers are strongly supported by the laws of physics. You can experience this, for example, on all the inversions on the Mayan rollercoaster, or on the inversions (loops) in Abyssus. If it’s upside down, will you fall off your seat? No! That’s how centrifugal force works. In these types of effects, you’re pushed into the seat, not lifted out of it. There are of course exceptions, especially noticeable on Hyperion, but also Aztec or Zadra.
Do the attractions undergo state inspections?
All attractions must meet the requirements of the European TÜV certificate and safety and must be subject to inspection Office of Technical Inspection. The latter is a Polish institution that carries out annual reviews of attractions and if everything is in order, issues a one-year permit for the use of the device. Energylandia mechanics themselves are also obliged to perform frequent and meticulous inspections and there are probably also people among them who have completed courses of the Office of Technical Inspection. In spring, just before the opening of Energylandia, employees have to check practically every smallest element of the attraction, including screws. And there are probably tens of thousands of them in such a rollercoaster. It is similar when the park is prepared for the winter season. In the hydraulic systems of the attractions, fluids and oils are replaced with those that will not lose their properties at low temperatures.
Are the security measures at Energylandia effective?
Now that you know a bit about inspections, inspections, and certifications, it’s time to talk about the safeguards themselves, the ones we usually stick to while driving. There are several types of security. The least effective and least trustworthy ones are usually found on the weakest attractions. Contrary to appearances, there is nothing to worry about.Nothing bad can happen on such attractions. It’s usually a belt similar to a car belt, or a metal tube that doesn’t even press us down. These safeguards are there to prevent us from getting up and possibly falling out if for some reason the attraction breaks and comes to a sudden stop. On larger attractions we will find protections blocking us at thigh level. This is the case on Energus, Boomerang, Light Explorers Team, and even Hyperion. We also have a third type, where we are protected at the thigh and shoulder level. This type of protection can be found on Mayan, Formula, Abyssus, Space Booster, Space Gun, and Aztec Swing.
It is this third type of security that inspires the greatest confidence. We feel pressure from the feet up, which increases the comfort of the ride. But believe me, Zadra and Hyperion, the two strongest rollercoasters, do not have any protection at shoulder height, and the ride is truly phenomenal. On the Hyperion, only the legs are pressed. During all negative overloads, we feel as if we were flying out of the seat. This effect is created specifically to increase the experience during the ride. Zadra, on the other hand, has specific safety features. First, we fasten ourselves with a belt similar to a car seat belt. It must be well tightened. And then we have a lock on the shins and thighs. It seems that it is not enough. But in reality, we are better locked in the seat than on the Hyperion.
At which attractions do I feel less safe?
If I had to choose the attractions in Energylandia from among all the ones I consider the security to be the least comfortable and the least trustworthy, I would choose 4 attractions: Aztec Swing, Apocalypto, Space Gun and Space Booster. Why? After all, we have full protection for thighs and arms. Well, because these attractions are relatively old, not very flexible, do not adapt well to the body and sometimes seem loose. Despite everything, no one has ever been hurt on these devices.
Did anyone die in Energylandia?
NO. Since the beginning of Energylandia, i.e. since 2014, none of the guests suffered any serious accidents, and certainly not died. However, this does not mean that there were no accidents in Energylandia. You will learn more in the text Did anyone die in Energylandia?
English 
Polish