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| Name: |
michelle
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/8/2010 6:14:18 PM
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We were at the Ridge Marina on Saturday afternoon when a 16 year old girl was life-flighted out on a helicopter after jumping off of chimney rock. I was told she had jumped off chimney rock and was partially paralyzed. Has anyone heard anything on the status of this young girl? It made me sick, considering my own kids had jumped off chimney rock the previous evening.
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| Name: |
BigBlue
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/9/2010 11:11:51 AM
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Any parent that would allow their children to jump off the "ROCK" needs to jump off it themselves. I have been at the Ridge with my own children and made them watch as they removed the dead body of a teenager from a Marine Police boat to an ambulance and the mother of that child hysterically watching as the last memory of them is drowning.
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| Name: |
Spot Remover
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/9/2010 1:42:35 PM
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I've never understood how parents allow their children to go off the rock either. My goodness, climbing up is as much of a hazard as jumping. One of those things that makes you go hmmmm.
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| Name: |
michelle
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/9/2010 2:18:50 PM
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Actually I just wanted to find out the status of the girl that was hurt, not hear everyones judgement on those that jump off!
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| Name: |
Spot Remover
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/9/2010 2:57:15 PM
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I too, am concerned about the young lady. I certainly hope she is OK. My response was in relation to your kids jumping off the rock which you mentioned. Guess I should have made myself clearer. Also, maybe someone will read the responses and keep their children from jumping. Hopefully these posts will make a difference in anyone else getting hurt.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/9/2010 5:04:15 PM
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My kids and I have jumped off the lower portion of Chimney Rock for years and I know families that have done it for decades with nary a scratch. I do not allow them to jump off the higher portion nor do they want to. But the lower portion is about the same height as the high diving board at our pool. Climbing up represents the potential for a fall and some bruises and abrasions and if really unlucky you might break a bone. Never seen that happen in all the years we've been going there but I suppose its possible.
The fact is life is filled with risks and while you may not deem the fun of jumping from the rock worth the risk for you or your family you should be more reticent about judging others and describing them as parents that need to jump off the rock themselves. I can assure you on a percentage basis many more kids are injured or killed swimming/skiing in Lake Martin or playing organized sports than have ever been at the rock. I assume you never let your kids swim in the lake or participate in sports, right? I mean they could be injured or worse. You see how you can't apply your standards to others when it comes to reasonable decisions? While I would not let my kids jump off the high ledge hundreds of them do every year without any injury. To me that is not worth the additional risk but apparently to others it is.
I am curious what you hoped to accomplish making your kids watch them pull a dead body from the Marine Police boat. If I didn't want my kids to jump from the rock I would simply tell them it was off limits and that would be that. I also seriously doubt you would make them watch them pull a dead swimmer from the lake and then tell them to go out and have a nice swim. You take reasonable precautions when you allow your children to engage in an activity that entails a certain amount of risk and then deal with the consequences.
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| Name: |
michelle
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/9/2010 8:21:40 PM
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I understood your response. My teens have periodically jumped off the short side of the rock, not the high side. I don't think the short side is that dangerous. They will not be jumping anymore, however, when I was a kid, we jumped off of a lot worse!
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| Name: |
Spot Remover
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/9/2010 11:40:45 PM
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Some right. Some completely questionable. You get hurt sliding into second, the experience of drowning or being hurt seriously are null. Even the lower level of the rock isn't safe. I haven't measured the lower rock in relation to its height, but if it is indeed 20 feet, a wrong landing can cause some severe injuries. Hey, do what you want, but remember the ultimate conclusion is something that you will never live down.
Last year, I told my sons that they will have to whip my a__ if I ever heard of them jumping. They are 30 and 34. I have seen what a calamity can happen, even from a rope swing. I've been outdoors and on the lake for 55 years.
If you want to take a chance, go for it. Your kids are a different matter. All judgement falls on the adults.
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A fine young man broke his neck sliding into second some years ago; became a quadriplegic (sliding injuries are actually quite common). People get hurt and sometimes die in all sorts of accidents....the advice I gave to my kids growing up? Know your skills, your limitations, and walk before you run...live life, have fun, and try not to be stupid.
Jumping off the rock, baseball, football, water skiing, snowboarding, parachuting, or a host of other activities are not for everyone.... but for some it's part of living life. Whatever your passion, don't be judgmental of others and their passion.
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| Name: |
Spot Remover
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 12:52:08 AM
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Sliding into second is something that can be taught. Sounds like a head first deal on the injury. Very sorry to hear about this. I really hope and pray that there was the right training.
Hard to train someone while they are jumping off the rock. Completely different activities.
Heck, I know a guy that ran into a dock in his fishing boat that was nearly killed. Also know of an older bird hunting friend that died in the second row of the Baptist Church.
Equating the guy dying in the church to a risk taker are two different things.
Jumping off the rock and the risks of playing baseball are not comparable in my opinion.
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| Name: |
HARRY
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 9:12:54 AM
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You're on the wrong forum if you want just an answer without opinions
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 9:16:06 AM
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why aren't they comparable? Both are activities that people allow their children to undertake that entail risks that are completely avoidable. Both entail a certain level of reward or satisfaction that individuals have to judge whether they are worth the risk. Both can be entirely avoided with no negative consequences to anyone. In fact, baseball is far more dangerous to participate in than jumping off the lower rock and yet you seem to criticize parents for letting them allow their children to jump off the rock but see baseball differently. It makes no logical sense to me.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 9:30:07 AM
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By the time I was 34 if my Dad said that to me I would just laugh at him. Do they still live in your basement or are they self sufficient adults? By the time I was that age I was married for ten years, had children, a job, owned my own hime and was actually responsible for my own decisions. My Dad, who I respected tremendously, likewise respected me and allowed me to make my own decisions when I was an adult. He gave me advice but would never have threatened to beat me up if I didn't take his advice.
You sound like a great guy but thankfully most Dads want their kids to experience life and thank goodness they do. Extending your logic to every father means we would never have anyone join the military, we would have to put an end to all sports, sell our boats, drain the lake, no kid would ever become a pilot, everyone would need to park their cars and walk to unnecessary activities, etc. These are all totally unnecessary activities that entail a certain amount of risk. For some reason you are fixated only on the risk of jumping off of a rock while being willing to accept all sort of other risks for children and then telling those of us that we allow them to jump off the rock that we are being irresponsible. Sorry but that makes no sense to me.
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| Name: |
BigBlue
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 10:02:53 AM
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I wanted my children to understand that life is a gift and how one poor choice can take it from you forever.
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 11:45:46 AM
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Fair enough and I suspect that did the trick. I think some of the scare tactics they use these days with student drivers, particularly around prom time, can be effective. Will never stop all teens from making a bad decision but if it prevents one it is worth the effort. Having seen a woman who drowned in Hawaii scuba diving after taking a resort course was enough to tell folks never to go in the open ocean after taking a resort course.
I guess my only point with this entire thread was the judgment by others that allowing their kids to jump off the rock is being irresponsible when they allow their kids to engage in other activities that are equally or more dangerous. It is still my view that with proper parental oversight jumping off the lower portion of the rock is not any more dangerous than many other activities we regularly let them engage in without a second thought. We spend a lot of time with our kids explaining how to climb up, how to jump out, what to do and what not to do. With all that there is still some risk that goes along with the fun.
As for me, I no longer jump because I have been there and done that and no longer relish the water enema I seem to get every time. My kids would rather play around one of the rope swings. More fun for them but also entails risk. In fact my middle daughter who has jumped off the rock over 100 times without a scratch actually got hurt on a rope swing (scrape on her back) and no longer does it.
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| Name: |
Malthus
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 11:49:07 AM
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I look around at the world these days and usually come to the conclusion that the gene pool needs thinning out a bit. So if you want to jump off the top of Chimney Rock (or encourage your offspring to do it), go for it!
Remember, stupidity is Mother Nature’s way of thinning the herd.
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| Name: |
lamont
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 11:58:50 AM
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Maybe it's just me but..... jump off the bottom..... OK. Jump off the top.... stupid. I dove off the top when I was a freshman in college. Must admit, I was under the influence of alcohol. When I hit the water, head first, I thought I had split my skull. My shoulders felt like they were at my ankles. I never climbed that rock again. Oh well, to each his own. I will not convict or condone.
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| Name: |
BigBlue
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 12:18:48 PM
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TO ALL:
If my response at the very least raised the awareness of the potential dangers of the water @ Lake Martin and we all think twice about the safety of our families as we enjoy the lake then I was successful.
As for the 16 yr old girl and her family we pray for a full and fast recovery :)
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| Name: |
Wakely
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 1:01:25 PM
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It's funny that someone who so easily calls others "stupid" isn't smart enough to know the difference between Acapulco Rock (where people jump) and Chimney Rock (the landmark on the nearby island.)
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 1:23:05 PM
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I think everyone here agrees that jumping from the highest part of the rock is not worth the risk. I have never done that and would not allow my children to do it (although they have never asked). There are plenty of ways at Lake Martin to thin the gene pool and many more people drown than are killed jumping off the rock. I don't view swimming at the lake to be any more irresponsible than jumping off the lower rock.
Having said that, hundreds, if not thousands have jumped off the high portion with nary a scratch. Even so, the ramifications of hitting the water wrong from up there are more serious than the lower rock, which are almost nonexistent. In the 10 years I have been going there I have never heard of someone having serious injuries (or even minor) from the lower level, even when they land wrong. But to me, and others here agree, the higher rock level represents too much risk of injury and should be avoided.
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| Name: |
michelle
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 1:44:16 PM
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Sounds like BigBlue has too much time on his hands. I agree with the basic fact that there are risks in everything in life, in every activity we partake in. As a kid, I found jumping into the lake as a thrill. I jumped off of high-dive boards higher than the lower side of chimney rock. I thank God my parents didn't threaten me for doing so. It just comes down to a judgement call on the part of the parents as to what is too dangerous and what is not. There are lots of adults that consider flying in an airplane as dangerous, I mean, hey, if the plane goes down, you're dead. That one decision to get on that plane ends your life. Should you stay at home and hide? Never see the world? Some choose that, I choose to enjoy life to the fullest and encourage my children to do the same, coaching them along the way as to what is too dangerous and how to assess the risks. And by the way, I didn't ask for your opinion anyway!
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 5:10:01 PM
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I agree with you about life and risks. The high rock entails too much risk for the thrill in my opinion and the lower rock is plenty of fun at low risk. My kids are not overly prone to risk taking but do know how to have fun and overcoming a little fear is a part of growing up.
As for opinions, they are like various parts of our anatomy, everyone has them. :-)
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| Name: |
HOT ROD
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 6:29:53 PM
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I wonder how many boaters have been in the middle of that liquored-up crowd, said "I ain't jumpin' cuz it's too dangerous" then chugged another beer before driving back through the crowd?
There IS risk involved with jumping. But in 50-plus years of jumping off that rock, I don't personally know anyone who has been injured. (I know it has happened, just not to anybody I know.) I can't say the same about people who drive cars, boats, motorcycles or bicycles, or who smoke cigarettes, yet people do all of those everyday without a second thought. I even knew someone who choked to death on a piece of steak, yet people still eat every day too.
If it's not an acceptable risk, don't do it. If it's not an acceptable risk for your kids, don't let them do it, until they are old enough to make their own decisions. But if you won't do it because people have been hurt and killed, then you'd better not drive a car, boat, motorcycle, bicycle, or own a dog. You'd better not jog, walk, or sit around doing nothing. Don't eat, drink, or smoke; don't NOT eat or drink. People have died because they did all of those things.
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| Name: |
Aquadelusional
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/10/2010 9:16:27 PM
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The comparison of activities and the % of death and injury rate dont even come close. There are millions of people who drive,fly,eat,ect...,but the amount of jumps of the high rock in the summer is only in the thousands the % of death and injury do not even come close to adding up the same its not worth the risk!!!! Same reason life insurance policies ask do you scuba,do you skydive ect...not worth the risk.
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| Name: |
GoneFishin
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/11/2010 12:48:18 AM
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If jumping were banned, do you think the large number of party goers at Chimney Rock would find another place to party? It would seem that the large number of boats is the encouragement that many of the jumpers seek. Do people go there waiting for an accident similar to many attending NASCAR waiting for the big wreck?
I feel strongly that we all take risks in our daily life but any parent who is aware their kids are jumping from the big rock and do not stop it are irresponsible. I wonder the guilt they do through when they have to change their kids diapers for the rest of their life. Imagine living with the thought if I had just said no.
We recently had an accident where two trucks hit head-on. The driver, a teenager of one truck, was killed. Two girls in the other truck suffered serious injuries. The difference? The young man was not wearing a seatbelt while the two girls were. As a parent would you take the keys if your teenage drove without seat belts? Or, should they learn the hard way as part of growing up?
My prayers go out to the teenager who was injured.
Michelle, if you don't want opinions then don't post!!!!!!!!!
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| Name: |
lakerlady
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/11/2010 9:18:38 AM
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She is fine... had starting getting feeling back before they got her to B'ham....
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| Name: |
MartiniMan
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/11/2010 9:44:36 AM
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If you look at driving alone I think the comparison is reasonable but you need to look at the right population. Drivers under age 24 make up 10% of the driving population and account for 30% of the total cost of auto accidents. The death rate for teenage boys is 19.4 per 100,000 in the population. I am only aware of one death jumping from the rock and would guess that tens of thousands have jumped over the years so the numbers are about right. In fact it is entirely possible that driving is statistically more dangerous than jumping off a rock for teenage boys and for the lower rock it is indisputable. As for boating I have heard of dozens of deaths on Lake Martin alone during the same time period and yet I hear no cries of irresponsibility in taking your kids out in a boat.
Extending your logic, to say senior citizens, and I could argue that the rock is infinitely safer because many more deaths have occurred in autos with that demographic while none have died jumping from the rock. My only point is that you are ascribing apparent levels of risk that are simply not supported by the facts. As I said in my earlier posts the risk of serious injury off the high cliff doesn't justify the thrill but there is no problem with the lower one. And no parent that allows their children to jump off the lower one, provided they provide guidance and oversight, is being irresponsible. Or at least they are no more irresponsible than any parent that lets their child go swimming or drive a car, if you want to call that irresponsible simply because it entails a certain amount of risk. This is an emotional response and not logical.
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| Name: |
GoneFishin
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/11/2010 1:08:11 PM
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That's great news.
Martini, death is not the issue but serious injury is. I was referring to the big rock as the high dive.
My question was would you allow your child to drive a car or truck if the refused to wear their seatbelt? I would hope the answer is I would take away their keys.
There are laws to protect us against our own stupid actions. Seatbelts, driving courses, DUI and BUI laws, boating certification, kill switch on PWC and outboards, speeding laws, life jackets, minimum operating ages, etc. Kids are trained in safety before participating in organized sports.
Your daughter had the priviledge to develop skills jumping from a high dive in her backyard. Yet, by your own admission, you would not allow her to jump from the high rock. Now, how many teenagers who decide to jump have any training in proper technique?
Would you invest your money in a syndicate to insurre those jumping from the high rock against accidental injury?
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| Name: |
michelle
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/11/2010 1:52:52 PM
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HotRod - I posted a message simply ASKING if anyone had heard any news on the young girl that had been injured. The fact that a debate was started on safety vs. risk is great (and expected after an injury such as this). I did not appreciate, however, being called "irresponsible" and being told I should just "jump off the rock myself" if I am "stupid" enough to allow my own children to jump. (Just as a side note, I HAVE jumped off). My teenage children have jumped off the lower side of chimney rock hundreds of times in the last 10 years. Somewhere along the line, that got distorted into my children jumping off the high side. Personally I think people should just mind their own business and learn that it is not necessary to always give your opinion and it is very inappropriate to judge others (especially those you don't even know). And if anyone wants to "sit around and wait for an accident", don't waste your time at chimney rock - just go out on the water and see how some people are handling their boats, now that's scary! I see people on the water that have NO clue as to what the rules of safe boating are.
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| Name: |
michelle
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/11/2010 1:57:35 PM
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Sorry, my reply was for GoneFishin, not Hotrod. Sorry about that.
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| Name: |
BigFoot
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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6/12/2010 10:18:10 AM
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I know of at least two deaths from jumping at the rock. Obviously, there are an indeterminate number of injuries of varying degrees. I would think that the risk level of climbing to and jumping from the high rock is very high. It's probably a good thing I have no children--they would have grown up having no fun if they were of the thrill-seeking variety.
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| Name: |
bigfish
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| Subject: |
Chimney Rock accident
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Date:
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7/2/2010 1:35:13 PM
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I'm new to the area and curious about Chimney Rock. Are there signs posted, warning about the risks of jumping off the Rock? Especially if it seems that people are getting hurt there occasionally. Maybe there wouldn't be as many accidents if people knew it was risky
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