I hadn't thought about them myself until Wednesday, when I went through a revolving door and collided with a glass panel next to the door. Luckily I didn't break anything but my nose was bleeding profusely for several minutes.
When I googled "revolving door injuries", I found they were quite common. People have had broken noses, broken teeth, hip fractures, skull and brain injuries. So I got off lightly with my bleeding nose.
Then I got to wondering, what's the point of revolving doors anyway? Why not just have an ordinary door or an automatic sliding door? Supposedly, revolving doors speed up exit and entry, and reduce heat loss from the building. But does that justify any possible injuries? I think not.
It's interesting that a 2006 study found that only 20 to 30 per cent of people use revolving doors when given the option. I have to wonder why so many people avoid them. I suppose they might be afraid of injuring themselves or getting trapped in them. They might be too heavy to push, or the compartments might be claustrophobically narrow.
Of course you could say the accident was probably my own fault for not looking where I was going. That's as may be, but I don't want to risk another injury - possibly a worse one. I shall now keep well away from revolving doors and use ordinary doors instead. I haven't bashed my nose on one yet.
PS: I was lucky Jenny was with me and she happened to have a plaster to stem the bleeding.
PPS: Both revolving doors and ordinary doors are a coronavirus hazard, since they have to be pushed and hundreds of people have touched the same door. Automatic sliding doors are preferable as you don't have to touch them.
I despise the things and sometimes there's no choice. I remember carrying my children when they were terrified of them and trying not to be terrified myself as I was back-slapped a few times in one.
ReplyDeleteAwful things. Sorry about your node....:)
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www: Interesting that your children were also terrified. I hadn't thought of the possibility of being back-slapped (or otherwise inappropriately touched).
DeleteI feel as though I've been fearful of them since childhood. Some move so fast that I'm scared I will trip while entering or exiting. And then there's the confusion whether it's automatic or if you need to push.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: They do tend to unexpectedly speed up or slow down, which can be hazardous. And yes, it's often puzzling as to whether they're automatic or not.
DeleteI've never been through a revolving door. I'm sure we have them here but they must not be in the places that I've been to.
ReplyDeleteMary: That's amazing that you've never used one. A lot of hotels have them but I'm guessing you don't stay in hotels very often! Apparently Chicago has more revolving doors than any other global city.
DeleteI have never been particularly fond of revolving doors--someone pushing in a hurry could easily run me over. Now that I mostly use an electric scooter to get around I really like plain doors with automatic openers--they tend to close slowly enough for me to get through them safely.
ReplyDeleteLinda: Yes, automatic sliding or opening doors are the ideal. All the supermarkets have them and they don't have any of the potential revolving-door problems.
Deleteany nose injury is so painful. I'm glad Jenny had a plaster with her.
ReplyDeletethe revolving door must have been to let people go through faster? can't think of any other reason.
EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY must go FASTER these days!
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Tammy: Yes, revolving doors are supposed to speed up exit and entry. But surely automatic sliding doors do that just as well?
DeleteSince acquiring a cane to stabilize my mobility, I won't use a revolving door, except one, and I made it through an automatic revolver, never stopping. Just to prove I could still do it.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Good for you, testing your capabilities! But revolving doors are obviously tricky for anyone with a disability or a wheelchair.
DeleteHmm. I thought I commented earlier. I've used a revolving door once or twice and thought it was fun, but we don't have them here out in the sticks.
ReplyDeleteJean: I used to think they were fun, but I changed my mind very quickly after the accident.
DeleteI was a lot younger then, of course! I know of an elderly couple who were going to fly to a family wedding, but the fellow got knocked down in a a revolving door and wound up in the hospital. Those doors are not for us older folks.
DeleteJean: Good grief, that's terrible! I don't think revolving doors are suitable for anyone. There are so many ways you can unexpectedly injure yourself.
DeleteI can't remember any revolving doors in India at all. The ones that I have used have all been overseas. Luckily, I didn't hurt myself in any of them.
ReplyDeleteRamana: Glad to hear that. But you just don't hear about the injuries. I was surprised to discover injuries were quite common.
DeleteSorry to hear that you injured your nose going through that door. Have a peaceful weekend.
ReplyDeleteLiberty Belle: Thank you. It's healing up well. But I won't be using revolving doors any more.
DeleteI don't like them, my balance is dodgy and I need to be very careful of my foot placement. It's impossible to be confident about stepping into a moving doorway and the lowered confidence causes a hesitance which adds to the danger.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same about escalators
Kylie: That's another way you can injure yourself, if you already have balance problems. Anyone who's visually impaired could be in for trouble as well.
DeleteI did not know they were so dangerous...probably because I have had very few occasions where they were an option. I would be avoiding them myself cause I would now feel like I would be apt to do something. I am just so clutzy compared to how I was when younger.
ReplyDeleteRose: The thing is, you have no proper control over a revolving door if there are several people using it at once. It speeds up, it slows down. But you have control over an ordinary swing door.
DeleteYes, they are especially dangerous when too many people bundle into them.
ReplyDeleteHope you are better now, Nick.
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Ms Scarlet: So many people are saying they've had accidents (or almost-accidents) with revolving doors. I had no idea. My nose is gradually healing but it's a slow process.
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