Four Of History’s Most Dangerous Theme Park Rides

By All That's Interesting | Edited By Savannah Cox
Published February 15, 2013
Updated February 12, 2018

Suspended Catch Air Device (SCAD)

Four Dangerous Theme Park Rides Suspended Catch Air Device

Seen at theme parks around the world, the SCAD is little more a giant net at the bottom of a high structure where participants are strapped into a harness and then dropped like bombs onto a swath of land. This type of ride is said to elicit such a high level of fear that scientists have used it to study the nature of fear in human beings.

As you might have guessed, many accidents and fatalities have been connected to SCADs due to the nature of their design: one twelve year old girl was dropped at a SCAD located in the US and missed the net, resulting in spinal and skull fractures.

author
All That's Interesting
author
All That's Interesting
Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
editor
Savannah Cox
editor
Savannah Cox
Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.
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