Zip lining can be an intimidating adventure to complete, especially for someone who has a fear of heights or any form of vertigo. But that shouldn’t limit someone’s ability to conquer the things that may hold them back. There are a lot of people out there who have an internal fear that will stop them from experiencing the joys that life has to offer.
First, consult a medical professional.
Now, I am not a doctor and you should always consult a medical professional before doing something that could trigger your vertigo to ensure your medical safety. However, I do have a vestibular and central nervous system disorder that causes me to have severe vertigo without any triggers, the triggers only intensify the sensation. Now isn’t it ironic that I work for a zip line course and I’m writing this blog post about how to cope with vertigo and a fear of heights?
So can zip lining cause a vertigo attack?
The first question we are commonly asked is “Can zip lining cause a vertigo attack?” While everyone can react differently to outside stimuli, the short answer is no, it won’t cause vertigo for most people with mild severity. There is no stomach drop feeling that comes with the thrill of rollercoasters and you won’t feel any type of G force while zip lining.
The most challenging part of our course for someone with vertigo is climbing our spiral staircase. Once you get to the top, the hard part is over and you can relax knowing that your guides will keep you safe while 65′ up. You will be clipped into a cable at all times so you can rest assured you won’t go anywhere and you won’t fall off the platform. If you’re like me, I prefer to stay in the middle of the platform which helps me stay balanced and eases my nerves. Once you push yourself to take that extra step and zip away on that first line, the nerves are immediately settled and the excitement will kick in. Each line will get easier and easier as the excitement increases.
What if I have a vertigo attack while on tour?
Another concern that many people have is what if they have a vertigo attack in the middle of a zip line. Will they be safe and make it to the platform? All of our Zip Line Adventures are fully guided with one sending guide and one receiving guide. Your receiving guide will do the braking for you and pull you safely onto the platform. You won’t have to worry about hand braking with us, which eases the nerves of all of our guests.
Safety is always our top priority and we strive to be 100% safe, 100% of the time. All of our guides are professionally trained in zip line safety and are experts in what they do. Not only will they help keep you calm, safe, and relaxed, but they will help encourage you to take that extra step. Here at Empower Adventures, we will always encourage you to push yourself as far as you can, plus one more step. You will never have to do anything that makes you feel uneasy, uncomfortable, or scared to do. The anxiety and vertigo you feel are your body’s natural reaction in a fight-or-flight situation. It’s important to understand your body’s way of reacting in order to understand how to control it. Check out my previous article How to Conquer Your Fear of Heights.
People with vertigo or a fear of heights may feel as if they will be stuck up on a platform if they decide to not continue the adventure. We have emergency exits attached to our platforms that will allow you to hop back down to the ground at any point via an auto-belay system. Again, you will never be forced to do something that makes you uncomfortable.
Contact Empower Adventures Tampa Bay!
Are you finally ready to conquer your fears and leave a new adventure feeling more empowered than ever before? Book your Zip Line Adventure at Empower Adventures Tampa Bay! Please feel free to give us a call at 813-448-5635 if you have any questions about your experience.
