Nanny State Update – ‘Water Walking Balls’ Deemed Deadly (Despite Nobody Dying)
- Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:42pm by
Mike Opelka
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These giant plastic balls often seen at the beach or resort areas have been determined to be a threat to America and her people.
Seriously.
The AP reports that the Consumer Product Safety Commission views these innocent looking toys as potentially deadly;
WASHINGTON – The government is warning people to stay out of those giant see-through inflatable spheres known as “water walking balls” because of the risk of suffocation or drowning.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday that it “does not know of any safe way to use” the products, which are popular at amusement parks, resorts, malls and carnivals.
While the report states that no person has died from zorbing (that’s the term for using these water-walking balls), the Commission is aware of a number of injuries. OK, just two injuries and neither was serious. A quick web search while researching this story did not turn up a single death caused by the water-walking balls. Many videos of people actually enjoying themselves were available. See for yourself;
This one doesn’t appear to make any sense. And the CPSC is apparently not finished with this topic;
“Our investigation into water walking balls will not stop with today’s warning.”
The aforementioned AP story says that the agency has been reaching out to states and amusement park operators encouraging them to stop using these ‘dangerous’ devices. Reports say that skydiving averages 30 deaths each year in America. Is the CPSC working to ban skydiving? No.
And now for some clarity and honesty provided by the unimpeachable truth offered by real government statistics. Remember, the CPSC was unable to find a single person who died because they used the water-walking balls.
Last year (2010) we had 123,706 deaths from accidents or what the government classifies as ‘unintentional injuries.’ That translates into 186 people DYING from accidents each and every single day! Where is the news media on this? Where is the outrage?
And these are not some made-up stats from a reporter with an axe to grind. These are government statistics reported annually. Check out this snappy graphic from the Centers for Disease Control;
Heart disease, cancer, strokes occupy the top three ’causes of death’ in America with accidents regularly getting blamed for 5% of deaths in the country. Water-walker balls? 0.0%
Of course we need some oversight to make certain that all reasonable care is taken when companies bring a product to market. In this particular case, one might wonder if this government agency doesn’t have more pressing issues to address.
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Comments (177)
kindling
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:17pmI was thinking of something like this but hard plastic for the situatuon that just happened in Japan. If every family had one big enough to hold them all I think it would keep them safe until the water went back out. It would have a water proof port hole so fresh air could be brought in. If you were taken out to sea there would be some kind of GPS transmitter to tell others where to come find you.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:15pmWow, we need nanny to clean up all the double posts.
Report Post »randy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:10pmUntil the Gov’t can figure out a way to tax these balls, they WILL be off limits!
Report Post »brntout
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:42pmHaven’t yours been taxed enough already?Put the zipper on the inside and if you feel light headed open for fresh air.I mean the plastic water ones.Wheres the common sense?
Report Post »temple62
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:08pmThe nanny-come-poop government will be regulating the “size and ply of the tires” used for swings before we know it.
Report Post »calamari12
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:21pmSwings are dangerous that‘s why they’ve removed them from schools and park playgrounds all over the country. The only place you can get a proper swing is your own back yard.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:07pmIf our nanny-state feds were around 100 years ago. they would have arrested the guy who invented the game of horse-shoes.
Report Post »redneck
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:06pmSegway is deadly, and known to have killed it’s operator. How many Segway’s have been banned?
Report Post »Diamond Girl
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:06pmGet Govt. OUT of OUR LIVES!
Period….I’ve had my fill- decades ago.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:05pmGood thing the automobile, the plane, snowmobile, iceskates, dirtbike, jetski, hot air ballon, trampoline, swimming pool, motorboat, sailboat, skateboard, archery set, rifle, BB Gun and sled have all been invented.
We’d NEVER get those past these ninnies.
Report Post »BetterDays
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:04pmBreath in breath out, repeat process. You there, in the conservative style one size fits all, not so deep when inhaling, gotta share the air equally. Now kowtow towards Mecca, it’s third prayer, you there in the conservative style…….wait, stop,…….no running you might hurt yourself………security alert!
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:03pmgood Lord what kind of drugs are these people taking
Report Post »Netsurfer2
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:02pmIn a day and age when they say what you can do, where you can go, and why you want to go there. Our government needs to butt out of our daily lives. More government is the problem, not less government!
REMEMBER TO VOTE AMERICA!
Report Post »Puddle Duck
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:02pmYou have to wonder if the world would be as advanced as we are if the Gov’ts around the world too such an active interest in banning just about any activity might lead to afatality or injury ? Would the Wright brothers have bothered with flight ? What about the Montgulfier brothers, would they have bothered to fly over Paris in the first hot air balloon ? The “Nanny State” is a “Police State”, period.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:01pmstay away from the brown acid, there is some bad acid going around……sorry, I had a woodstock flashback.
Report Post »If the Nanny state existed back then, would woodstock or free love ever happen, how about hitchhiking to discover yourself, peace marches?
The same people that are putting these laws into effect are the Hippy crowd. What a great legacy.
UlyssesP
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:21pmExcellent point.
Report Post »pappy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:06pmDARMOK!!!… HIS EYES OPEN WIDE!…. it’s funny you mention the “legacy” of our political leaders. Being of similar age I often think of just that. Did these people do alot of that orange acid going around ‘Frisco back then?
Report Post »Chicago Ray
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:57pmI don’t know, I can see a 5 year old perhaps being confused if one burst and took on water, but then again what kind of parent would allow ….oh yea, liberal ones…I forget all those fatherless families out there without any male direction
I thought they were solid plastic, that would work much better I would think. And I‘ve skydived too in my 20’s, and to me it’s something every person should do at least once. But not anymore!!! Nanny state itis.
Report Post »Rickfromillinois
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:57pmIf this doesn’t demonstrate just how out of control our government is, nothing will. Two non-serious injuries and they are getting involved. This is crazy.
Report Post »MrObvious
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:50pmThis is liberalism.
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:57pmMaybe if they had had seat belts, with a safety video how to buckle them like they do on planes …for those people who haven’t ridden in an automobile since 1964, …..then we could use these things..
Report Post »GOTAREVOLUTION
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:53pmWatch how fast they would endorse these toys if a license (and of course) associated fees,
Report Post »insurance, registration etc. were required. Of course by then they would have to take our balls
away and redistribute them to all the “poor” folks who couldnt afford them ;>)
jdog777
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:56pmIn other news…. the EPA declared CO2 a toxic gas and dihydrogen monoxide as poison. Pot is OK. Oh…. BTW…. you can get hurt in cars too.
Report Post »mrsmileyface
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:56pmWe need a MORITORIUM on ALL watersport equipment, boats, yachts,cruiseships untill we can figure all this stuff out. Make new laws to prevent this from ever happening again.
Report Post »Eliasim
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:56pmThere just having too much fun apparently.
Report Post »APatriotFirst
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:56pmLooks like alot of work, but fun
Report Post »jginmt
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 7:16amProbably some fat ugly Lib. who works at CPSC was on vacation and saw some people having fun. Was to fat and out of shape to try the ball so they had to go back to work at the CPSC and put a stop to it.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:55pmWith the price of gas like it is, we may all be using Clear Plastic Balls to get around. Can I get a racing stripe on mine?
Report Post »sbenard
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 8:25amCrude hit a new high overnight!
Report Post »mythbuster2
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 9:06amHey – speaking of that – does anyone know how much money we pay Canada (since they are our #1 importer) for oil? And if we stopped buying oil from them how would it effect their wonderful healthcare system?
Report Post »WhosGotYourBackNow
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 10:42amha
Report Post »ironcowboy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:55pmHay, you can kill a man with a toothpick! Also, toothpicks require massive deforestation of 3rd world countries to manufacturer!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 12:53amI think GOLF COURSES are way to dangerous .. close all GOLF COURSES … have you seen Obama play? He makes it look “hard”.
Report Post »anutter
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:50pmReally, I thought the nannys wanted us to live in a bubble.
Report Post »anutter
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:49pmSTAY OUT OF THE WATER! We are people, not fish. We could drown.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 10:19amYears ago, I read of a woman who purposely drowned herself in a toilet. I guess that the next thing the PSC will outlaw will be commodes.
Report Post »joan k
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:48pmPretty soon we will all be told that we can’t even walk.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:17pmI imagine that will be right after they tell us to dump the cars and houses; back to the old caveman days of fighting for cave space in the mountains…
“Hey Ma! I dun found us a perty little oldie of a cave…even got us all a perty lil bear skin out of it too.”
Report Post »Kevin
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:19pmHey, it’s already happening. There are plenty of schools where kids can’t run at recess because they might fall and get hurt.
Report Post »jackeric61
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:23pmIf people are stupid enough not to use their brain by getting into a plastic bag to play in the water then then maybe they should move to washington and get a job. What kind of mindless idiot would get into one of those things anyway. Stupid is as stupid does.
Report Post »redneck
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:24pmThis walking around is killing me
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:31pmDon’t go to concerts, don’t have unprotected sex, don’t play basketball in the streets…
Report Post »stay away from the brown acid, there is some bad acid going around……sorry, I had a woodstock flashback.
If the Nanny state existed back then, would woodstock or free love ever happen, how about hitchhiking to discover yourself, peace marches?
The same people that are putting these laws into effect are the Hippy crowd. What a great legacy.
jimmy68715
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:39pmjust wish i was the one to invent this fun toy !
Report Post »looks like harmless fun to me
TXPilot
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:47pmThe government can have my big, plastic fun ball, but I draw the line at them taking my freedom, money, country and guns.
Report Post »Cobra Blue
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:47pmThe only threat noted in this story is the Nanny State. Hey federal government…be my guest to use one of these water walking balls as a suppository,
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:50pmBesides being fun, where the heck is Tosh.O going to get funny videos to crack jokes if we don’t have things like this paired with idiots. Instant fun and Darwinian results.
Report Post »JayCee
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:51pmSomeone whould warn Wayne Coyne.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y842B5KVutU&feature=related
Report Post »IronSights
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 8:55pmThey probably found out the owner/inventor is a registered republican OR tea party member.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:06pmThey just don’t want anyone to walk on water, except the “One” Obama.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:12pmDarmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Report Post »They just don’t want anyone to walk on water, except the “One” Obama.
————-
Allah walked on water?
I did not know that :D
John 1776
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:20pmPeople have fun? How dare they! Don’t you know “fun” is illegal under Progressive law? !! You might … hurt yourself… or discover you enjoy life. What good would you be to the collective then?
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:22pmThis is liberalism on steroids. I find their analysis very low I.Q.ish…
“The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday that it “does not know of any safe way to use” the products, which are popular at amusement parks, resorts, malls and carnivals.”
I guess ZERO deaths isn’t proof enough they are safe for consumer use.
Lets apply their bone-headed logic to… well everything. Like SNOW SKIING. Or how about this…. LIVING!!!!!
Report Post »A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:29pmHands off my balls!
Time to go buy some walking balls to stick it to unConstitutional regulations.
I’m not going to use them, though – those things are dangerous. Who in their right mind locks themself into an air-tight space? That’s just dumb.
Gotta have them, though. It’s the principle of stickin it to the pretended legislations of the nanny state.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:30pmcheezwhiz
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:12pm
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
They just don’t want anyone to walk on water, except the “One” Obama.
————-
Allah walked on water?
I did not know that :D
______________
Allah didn’t actually walk on the water, he stoned it for heresy until there was a path to walk on.
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:36pmoverblown, but they have a point… how does one lifeguard someone in a plastic bag?
just sayin… as a former lifeguard… I would dread an incident, for sure
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:50pmGeez… next it will be PETA demanding an end to Gerbil Balls.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 9:53pm@Anti_Spock
Report Post »They have very tiny ones, give them a break, don’t ban Gerbil balls.
jzs
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:05pmLooks like fun. I’d like to try it and would. But I don’t think this a huge problem of government overeach.
Those things are more or less airtight (you don’t see water leaking in). When you climb in there is a fixed amount of oxygen present, which declines with every breath and is not replenished. If a person is active in that bubble – which is the point – the oxygen level declines more quickly.
So you start with about 20.5% oxygen, a percentage which declines with every breath once this thing is zipped up. If you were to stay in this bubble, at some point, of course, you pass out and then die from lack of oxygen.
The problem with oxygen deprivation is that the person suffering from it loses judgement at the same time the oxygen content in his or her blood is becoming low. People in this state often are unable to understand and react to the problem. OSHA has incredible strict rules about anyone entering a “confined space” that might be or become oxygen deficient simply because so many people have died without even realizing they are in trouble: they get a little confused, then pass out, then die.
This is a simple thing really. How long will the oxygen in that bubble last with a person exercising within it? If they pass out and die, is that their fault? Or the owners of the bubble?
Yeah. We’re all glad the government prevents someone from selling toys that a two-year-old might choke and die from, which sadly has happened too many times. And this lead-in to this thread says no one has died from these balloons. But the fact is, many, many people have died from oxygen deprivation at least in industrial settings. And putting a person in a small place with a fixed amount of oxygen is a recipe for death.
Report Post »nosycophant
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:06pmTexting while in a water ball eating cookies, tatertots and drinking coolaid.
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:19pmIt’s much more fun to swim, and swimming is good exercise.
Report Post »nosycophant
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:24pmplaying lawn darts here in the dark.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:25pmAnd it will be too expensive to drive!
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:34pmJust think… if every Japanese family owned one of these they all would have survived the terrible Tsunami. This should be mandatory for all coastal towns and cities. Call it the… “Tsunami Escape Ball.”
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:47pmthey seem being h3ll bent on telling us what is best for us.. I can see their concerns and to TELL us about them should be enough.. maybe an age limit.. but otherwise.. it should be up to the individual.. after all bungee jumping is dangerous and some actually have been killed however it’s not banned..
Report Post »Mee the People
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 10:58pmseems like a stupid way to kill yourself by using up all the air in the ball LOL
Report Post »jzs
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 11:03pmOne more comment. The header says “despite no one dying.” How many people have to die first?
Report Post »woodyb
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 11:18pmIf these things pose a threat to drowning, what does the CPSC say about SWIMMING????????????????
Report Post »restorehope
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 11:47pmIf people want to pretend to be gerbils, that’s their business.
You want to talk dangerous? How about those kids that skate board down stairs, off of walls, etc.
You want to talk even more dangerous? How about subjecting us to Obamacare.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 11:53pmMr G man…GET OUT OF MY BALL!!!
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 12:02amIt’s getting so that the government is wanting “we the people” to tell them to “F” off. If government really wanted to save lives they would have outlawed automobiles by now. I’m not advocating them do it, I just get so tired of the hypocrisy in government.
Our proof that CNN Poll is Bogus!
Report Post »http://www.americasteapartynews.com/cnnpoll.php
Therightsofbilly
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 12:07am@JZS
So basically what you are telling us, is that for the last couple of months now, you have been typing from inside the confines of a large rubber ball, and your air supply is running low.
That would explain everything. Thank you.
No reply needed. I know you don’t usually reply to posts like mine. Besides, I wouldn’t want you to use up that last bit of oxygen on little old me.
Pompous a**
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 12:14amThey can have my ball when they pry my cold dead hands out of it !!!!!!!!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 12:50amIt’s simple … is it something fun? BAN IT! That is all the government can do … it they aren‘t banning something they aren’t happy … and if we are happy … they aren’t happy either.
Report Post »4stmichael
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 12:50amjoan k
Posted on March 31, 2011 at 7:48pm
Pretty soon we will all be told that we can’t even walk
==
Report Post »…. we already have been ordered – um, I mean told that we can’t walk
… haven’t you heard of those horrid carbon footprints … LOL
seriously though …
There is probably some huge potential of growth or good that is just waiting for this type of water walking
contraption and they are afraid the word will get out.
Or, it’s just plain fun, and well, ya know, the leftists just *hate* that we would have any GOOD CLEAN fun.
229Mick
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 12:56amOr pretty soon we’ll tell them something.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 1:34amTHERIGHTSOFBILLY, FYI, I don’t live in a bubble, I happen to live in a dirigible, high above the earth. Because air flows freely through my cabin there is no chance of oxygen deprivation unless I happen to float too high into the stratosphere, which, frankly, has happened.
You seem like a reasonable person Billy, and I’d like to think that we have common beliefs.
Hold it, my altimeter says I’m at 26,000 feet. Oxygen level, 8%. Confused. Am thinking Sarah Palin is kind of hot. Must descend immediately. When I recover, I’ll respond to you with a serious slam against you and other Blazers THERIGHTSOFBILLY!
Report Post »vivrobbins
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 1:43amAnything that produces income for anyone is under attack. This is just another way for the G-man to control every aspect of our lives. control control control. They don’t care what it is just so they can control. G-man= Gangster
Report Post »bookofdaniel
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 4:20amLet’s see… you can‘t breath when you’re swimming under water, you can slip and fall outside the pool and you can dive in shallow water and break your neck. So why don’t they stop people from swimming?
Report Post »These freaking liberals are unbelievable.
Wolf
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 5:53amHey, Jacker- you do your thing, let others do theirs.
Report Post »Bloody Sam
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 9:18am“don’t play basketball in the streets…”
Sorry Darmok. That is a racist statement. No basketball activities will be curtailed while the current administration is in power.
Yes, yes…it’s sarcasm.
Report Post »DisillusionedDaily
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 10:33amGiven the amount of pollution present in the atmosphere, oceans and throughout the country, it is a wonder that some group has not popped up to advocate that we all lie down and submit to whatever happens. Where were these people in the 40′s when I was chewing the lead paint from my drop-side crib rails?
Report Post »N5DVC
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 2:42pmI don’t want anyone telling me how I can use my giant inflated floating balls!
Report Post »On a serious note: a second zipper on the inside with a really big handle would go along way..
I always carry an emergency plastic ball rupturing utensil anyway, so bring on the fun!
docvet
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 4:26pmIf it feels good, stop it! If it tastes good, spit it out.
Report Post »waggie
Posted on April 1, 2011 at 9:45pmAnd guess what? We’re all big people now and can decide for ourselves if we want to take the risk of zorbing or not! Geez, when will they QUIT?
Report Post »