The video begins innocently enough. A brother strapped a GoPro camera to his head and started recording as he and his sister, along with two others, took off down a water slide tunnel at a Center Parcs resort in Woburn Forest, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom.
Then suddenly, Math Smith's 16-year-old sister drops out of the frame. She's fallen off the raft.
"My sister fell off the ride due to not holding on tight enough," he recalls. "She slipped backwards off the inflatable because of the impacts of the rushing water."
Matt quickly runs back up the tunnel to help his sister, who can be heard moaning and is seen with her eyes closed. The family calls for help, lifeguards step into action, she is placed on a spinal board as a precaution and is treated at a local hospital, where she is told she sustained minor bruises.
Ultimately, Rea was fine, and Matt applauded the lifeguards' response to the incident. What is significant about this incident is not that it happened but that we are able to watch it happen. Recently, we asked readers of Aquatics International to weigh in on selfie sticks at waterparks. But what about GoPro cameras? On the one hand, it's useful to be able to go back and see how the facility's employees handled the situation. It also could prove beneficial should there ever be a lawsuit regarding an incident that is caught on film. But on the other hand, the camera could be seen as a safety issue. What are your thoughts? Share in the comments section below. Read More