OMG Close Call!!! Whew!!!!

DeaconJungleCatPoles started this discussion · 3/19/2009

OMG!!! You guys will never believe what just happened!!!!!!! I can't even believe it!!! I jumped up on the pole in spinny mode and I was spinning, spinning really fast...I was going around and around for a long time hanging close up to the top...then all of a sudden the pole went timber!!!!!! 😮 And I landed on my feet holding the pole in my hands before it banged into the wall!!! It was pure luck that I didn't fall. It happened so fast!!! It wasn't like I attempted to catch myself. I just did by pure LUCK!!! I can't believe I didn't bust the ceiling lights, smash the wall, or hurt myself. It was something that seems like it should happen 1 out of a million!!! My heart is beating so fast!!!! 😮 So much for being under the ceiling joists. 😂 I'm going to use the stud finder I ordered this time instead of tapping on the ceiling. It got delivered today by UPS so I guess that's a sign that I should do it right this time!!! 😲

19 replies

azriel · 3/19/2009
OMG that is sooo crazy! i guess fate was on your side! i'm soooo glad you're ok though! i have never ever ever ever heard of that happening to an x-pole before! i think maybe you should tighten the adjuster a bit more on the ceiling, and make sure all the pieces are tight as well. My boyfriend is 6'3 and 175 pounds (not that heavy, but still!) and he spins around and does inverts and the pole doesn't budge! I bet Veena would know more about this.. but that really shouldn't be happening, i know that x-pole can handle weight much much more than your own! please make sure you've read the instructions on how to assemble it correctly- although i'm sure you have (you're a librarian, 🙂 )! just don't want you to get hurt, you were sooo lucky! 👽
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/19/2009
Hey precious! You know something. The stud finder said the ceiling joists is exactly where I marked it!!! That is odd. 😕 So I did pick the right spot. So now I really am kinda nervous. I will make sure everything is good and tight this time. Everything should have been good and tight last time. I even used the super release tools to tighten everything. My apartment isn't really the most modern. Maybe the ceiling shifted? But it shouldn't have if it was under the joists, right?. I'm a little stumped. 🤔 But I am a little nervous now because my friends want to try it out tomorrow night and they weigh more than me. If it had of came a loose while they were on it I'm pretty such the outcome would have been a lot different. 😕
Veena · 3/19/2009
Glad your alright...I had my PERMANENT pole come down while I was at the top once!!! 😲 Luckly I too landed on my feet...maybe I'm part cat too. 🐱 I trust the knock method more than the stud finder because a stud finder will not work on plaster. Like others have said make sure you have installed it properly and account for any soft carpet and also be sure to check your pole every time before you jump on it after you have left it for a long period of time....temperature changes can cause the pole to become loose as your home expands and retracts.This was the problem I had with my permanent pole that fell. The carpet was soft and the weather was changing from warm to cold a lot out side. There are some tips for your X pole in the Articles section I would check them out. 🐱 🐱 Be safe you only have nine lives. 😉
azriel · 3/19/2009
haha veena, "you only have nine lives!". i really don't know much about joists, since in greece we usually have full concrete ceilings without joists (earth-quake proof too!). But i remember my dad (who does live in the US with joist ceilings) telling me that if i were to put the pole on a joisted ceiling, that it would be better to place it in the middle of one joist, rather than in between two (just in case the joists are too far apart- then the ceiling piece won't be steady if it's right in the space between them, without being under them at all). He does have some construction experience, but don't quote me on this.. i'd call the x-pole technical support and ask them for the best advice about this- they're usually really helpful and polite.
Veena · 3/19/2009
But i remember my dad (who does live in the US with joist ceilings) telling me that if i were to put the pole on a joisted ceiling, that it would be better to place it in the middle of one joist, rather than in between two (just in case the joists are too far apart- then the ceiling piece won't be steady if it's right in the space between them, without being under them at all) Yes Yes your right in the US our joist are farther apart then the UK where x pole was developed and so the base will only baaaarrrely touch both beams. Use ONE joist. I can't believe I forgot to say that...thanks aziel. 🌸
azriel · 3/19/2009
awwwww thanks to my dad, not me! i'm sure he'll be happy to know he was of some help! 🙂
kerrierou · 3/19/2009
yaaa jungle cat that happened to me, cept i was only doin a basic spin on static. but my b/f put it up cuz i was havin ppl ova for a party. he tugged on it and thought it was alright. i did one spin and it slipped! 😮 but didnt completely fall since the dome is so wide. we tightened it a lot and it was fine, even with all the guys swingin on it!! 😀 good luck hun! glad ur safe!
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/19/2009
LOL Veena you are too funny!!!! I think I only got about 3 lives left hehe I've had several close calls over the years. I'm gonna try my best to protect the hide I have left LOL That is excellent advice you gave me about the weather affecting the pole, the apartment shifting, and checking the X pole articles. I will certainly do that! Wow if a permanent pole can come down I guess any pole can come down!! I will start checking the pole daily! That was great advice. It's wonderful to learn all these little lessons early on! I could have been trying something really dangerous! And right before I did it I was practicing inverted shoulder v's!! EEEK!!! And kerrie glad you made it in one piece!!! 😉
Trena · 3/20/2009
OMG Jungle Cat!! You're SOOOO lucky! U could have been so badly hurt! Whew! *Wipes forehead with back of hand* Im such a useless 'girl', I let Derm put up my pole everytime so I know diddly squat about putting it up/taking it down. The girls have given you plenty of advice though so you're sorted!! Be safe you only have nine lives. Veena you're so funny!! 😂
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/20/2009
What you gonna do if Derm ain't there? It's a good idea to learn how to put the pole up and down, even if he does it the majority of the time. You never know. Say in the event of a fire, you got to be able to hurry and take that pole down and run out the house!!!! 😂
Trena · 3/20/2009
What you gonna do if Derm ain't there? It's a good idea to learn how to put the pole up and down, even if he does it the majority of the time. You never know. Say in the event of a fire, you got to be able to hurry and take that pole down and run out the house!!!! 😂 Never really thought about that!!!!!!! Ooooooops!!!!! Im sure if I had to take it down in a hurry I could but you make a valid point Jungle Cat!!! 😂
Rouge_LAmour · 3/21/2009
ahhh, crowd pleasers.... Did one at a "show" recently, fell onto my back. Landed like a stunt person / dead ant and was far more worreida bout the pole hitting the lighting. Turns out the stage was flexing and we hadn't tightened it enough to cope with the "floor flex".
pole-twista · 3/21/2009
omg so glad your alright!!!! ❗ you must be a cat landing on your feet.. what does that make me? i bought (i know i know) a peek-aboo pole 🤮 (if you dont know the deal w these dont EVER buy 1 for any purpouse 👎 such a dangerous piece of crap!!!!) i was assured you could spin/invert ect ( by someone i had trusted and have not talked to since) i was soooooo excited 🤸 ( i mean really you dont know how obssesed w poling i was / still am i literally broke my lamp almost in 2 bc i was so desprate to try some spins i thought well.. hmm.. ok .. i'll give it a go it just might work 🏴‍☠️ 🤔 so i grab my tall lamp w metal pole and try to do a little swing ..again i know i know but i wanted it sooo bad i spent so much time looking for usable poles parks/street signs/grape vines no luck all too skinny or too wide i was like poli-locks looking for just the right 1 lol ) anyway so i finally set up peekaboo and later that night ( no time after setup as had to work) i go upstairs to my dark attic ( where pole was/is) and i am looking at that thing like its a showdown 💪 like ok pole.. its just you and me now.. so whats it going to be? are we going to make beautiful dances together or are you going to break my ass?? ❓ so i mustered up my courage/excitment and ran to it and weeeeee!!!!!!RRRRRRGGGGSSSSSHHHHHHHHIIIII%%%%%%!!!! pole comes crashing down on me 😮 ( as well as my dreams of spinning and jumping on pole 😈 ) i mean there i am alone in the dark laid out flat on my back just completely stunned w a pole on top of me 😨 😳 i;m just gald i only tried a basic spin and not an invert 🤐 i have my poles 1 on thick carpet w padding the other on hardwood floor no mat/carpet my friends bf weighs over 200lbs and inverts jumps on it ect and i also have put pole through some rounds w heavier people and rough hosing and my pole has stayed secure 👍 👍 i would def say always give it a real good push/ pull before stating a session and throughout if poling for more than a few songs ( only takes a second to check between songs and could save injury) well again so glad to hear you have matrix skills and were able to just do a sommersault and land in front of the olympic judges on your feet 🦇 ( dont mind me i am suppouse to be sleeping in to catch up on week of not sleeping, but my doves are singing to me to let me know they're up so i should be too 🫡 lol ok sorry such long post 🌈 😬
Former member · 3/21/2009
omg jungle!! imjust reading this now, i hope you're alright and your faith in your pole isnt damaged!!! im STILL nervous to go on mine after it fell on me! if it makes you feel any better, my pole dislodged from the ceiling when i was mid-spin WHILE I HAD COMPANY OVER WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SHOWING THEM (why am i screaming? lol) some pole moves!!!!! talk about embarassing. you seem like a tough-cookie though, i KNOW you'll get right back on the pole and will rock at it!
SimpllySweet · 3/22/2009
I built a reinforcement for under the top dome of my pole so should it ever come loose the pole wont shift. At all. It would literally have to pull my ceiling down for my pole to fall. Right now my pole is set up in my bedroom in a mobile home so the ceiling isn't that great anyway. On top of that its a vaulted ceiling which is suppose to be a no no for x pole. Well I built a wedge that goes under the dome and it works just fine. Either way is easy to do and you never have to worry about the pole comeing loose.
Veena · 3/22/2009
Wow simpilysweet that's a cool idea for the X pole. Thanks for sharing. 🌸
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/23/2009
HAHA Thank you all for your support, encouraging words, and lovely stories!!! OMG Pole-Twista and Sascha 😂 and glad you didn't get hurt! Love you gals too much! 👍
lily · 3/23/2009
oh wow - so scary! That's awesome you caught yourself like that 🐱
DeaconJungleCatPoles · 3/23/2009
I'm glad my mishap doin happen like this!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1TerOxIqvk&feature=related 🥂