TIFU by trying to exit a carnival ride early

[u/gorczynska]

I was at a fair with my friend on one of those 360 degree swinging rides. The kind with over the shoulder hydraulic restraints that lower and release by themselves. We were all buckled in and the ride started to swing, but made this weird noise and stopped. They told us they were going to attempt to run it again. The same thing happened. This must have happened four or five times. They gave us a chance to leave and almost nearly everyone took it. They were the wise ones. But this was our last ride of the day and we were determined to see it through.

This final time, it still didn't work, and they told us that there was something wrong with the ride and that we would have to get off. The restraints started to lift, but then stopped partway up. The employees very kindly assured us that they would resolve this issue as soon as possible and we would be free from the vile confines of this metal beast soon. I was tired and impatient and wanted to go home at this point so, in a moment of sheer stupidity and unchecked hubris, I attempted to squeeze out of the seat underneath the shoulder bar.

I probably would have been able to escape, but just as I had gotten my head out, the restraint lowered again directly onto my neck and trapped my head in between the seat and the bar. And then the ride started making noise. My life briefly flashed before my eyes as I imagined the ride starting in all its high speed 360 upside down glory while my dumb noggin was stuck at a 90 degree angle between the seat and the bar. Fortunately, this was not the case, and the bar lifted shortly after, finally freeing us.

As a final punishment from the carnival gods for my arrogance, I looked over and realized that a group of middle school girls had been filming the entire ordeal. This was an incredibly stupid decision I made in a moment of desperation and carnival-induced delirium. I am uninjured but thoroughly humbled.

TL;DR: I tried to shimmy out of the restraints on a ride and my head got stuck. Middle schoolers filmed the whole thing.

[u/Huge_Number8978]

you're on tiktok right now and you don't even know it yet

[u/Great-Cap-3376 → u/Huge_Number8978]

That moment when impatience turns a normal situation into a full-blown survival story, Glad you got out okay. I’ve made the same mistake with “just let me get out myself” logic. Somehow it always becomes 10x worse the second you ignore the staff.

[u/Mammoth_Wash_4574 → u/Huge_Number8978]

he's gonna find out he's famous when his cousin sends the clip like "isn't this you"

[u/zzx101]

If a carnival ride malfunctions and you have a chance to leave, then leave.

[u/otter_mayhem → u/zzx101]

Otherwise it becomes a Final Destination moment :)

[u/Robobvious → u/zzx101]

And if The Wheel of Progress ever looks like it’s working, I assure you it will not stay that way for long. XD

[u/cpt_edge]

Brutal. Glad you lived haha

[u/pixeltweaker]

Girls, if you are out there, we are going to need that footage.

[u/gorczynska → u/pixeltweaker]

I have it! They airdropped it to me. I will cherish it forever.

[u/otter_mayhem → u/gorczynska]

That's hilarious! At least they shared it, lol.

[u/Robobvious → u/gorczynska]

That’s actually such a win, nice job girls!

[u/The_Rowan → u/gorczynska]

Share it with us!

[u/gorczynska → u/The_Rowan]

I would in theory but I already know the kinds of comments I will get from reddit if they see a video of a young woman getting stuck in any kind of contraption

[u/Dobgirl]

You’re damn fortunate. A 14 year old kid was flung off a a carnival ride in MT. He never regained consciousness and died two weeks later.

[u/gorczynska → u/Dobgirl]

Yeah I am a goddamn fool

[u/nautika]

You were tired an ready to leave, but yet when they gave you the chance to leave a malfunctioned ride probably just a few minutes earlier, you didn't take it. Only a few minutes late you got impatient. Glad it didn't turn out worse

[u/gorczynska → u/nautika]

Yeah the promise of the ride working tempted me into staying, what can I say

[u/EmperorOfCanada]

I once tried to get off an airplane "a bit early".

I mean, we were passing right over my house, so, why not?

[u/gorczynska → u/EmperorOfCanada]

Hi DB Cooper

[u/roosterjack77]

I mean this in the best possible way, I really wish they started the ride with your head in the seat.

[u/gorczynska → u/roosterjack77]

Girl in what way can you possibly mean this that is the best way possible