Perilous is an old-school term that describes an extremely dangerous situation. Many things can be perilous, including one’s job. The following are five jobs that are some of the most dangerous jobs that exist, but someone has to do them.
1. Bull rider
Western rodeos are well known for their bull riders, and they are often seen as the main act. Everyone loves to see how long a rider can hold onto a bull for and then watches when the rider falls off and has to run away from the beast. However, what many people don’t realise is that this sport is becoming even more dangerous than we already perceive it to be. According to Kody Lostroh, a pro riding champion, it’s all due to selective breeding that makes sure that the best of the best bulls are the ones that get put into the arena.
2. Truck driver
Almost every day, you pass by big rigs while driving out on the road. What you don’t realize, though, is that the drivers behind the wheel have one of the most dangerous jobs out there. Next time you are behind one of these trucks just look for any sign that says “Hazard” or “Danger” on it. If you see that, then you know that it is carrying chemicals that could possibly explode if disturbed on impact. That is why it can be very dangerous if a truck flips over or is crashed into. When it comes to those instances, a lot of people tend to blame the truckers. However, they have very little control over what happens with their cargo. If winds pick up, then that could be enough for their trailer to tip over. The same goes for if there is black ice on the ground too.
3. Fighter pilots
Whether or not they are serving in the Navy or the Air Force, Fighter pilots are always putting their lives on the line. This is true both when they are doing practice drills or are sighting their targets in live action. What puts them at risk is the speeds that they have to fly at, the opponents that they are against, and the weapons that they have to carry. If you have watched the movie Top Gun, then you understand how this is so when Maverick and Goose experience a flame-out of both their engines. That caused them to have to eject themselves, which caused Goose to die on impact of the force of that. Although that movie is fiction, the job is real and risky.
4. Seamen
Seamen, including commercial fishermen, have some of the most dangerous jobs out there. These people are always at risk of getting crushed by moving cargo, getting cut by sharp objects or falling off of a ladder while on a moving boat. Not only that, but they have to deal with rough waters and unpredictable storms. Because of all of the dangers, a lot of seamen get hurt and find themselves needing to contact a lawyer, like those at Maritime Law Center. Often, this is due to the vessel that they are working on not being properly maintained, and so some compensation is definitely needed.
5. Fire fighters
This one is a very obvious dangerous job. Fire fighters are wonderful people who risk their lives every day to make sure that people make it out of fires alive. Such people risk not only getting third-degree burns and getting hurt in structural collapses, but they also risk their health. Every year, 100-125 firefighters die and the number one reason is due to heart attacks. Another reason why their health is at risk is because of all of the smoke that they inhale over time, which puts them at even greater risk for having lung cancer.
These five jobs are some of the most dangerous jobs out there, but are jobs that serve us all in some way. The bull rider lives to entertain, the truck driver delivers our food and products to the stores, the fighter pilots keep us safe, the fishermen help put food on our plates, and the fire fighters come to our rescue when we are in danger. If you know anyone who has any of these jobs, then hopefully you have come to a new appreciation of what they do.
Do you know of any perilous occupations people actually have? Tell us in the comments below!
Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys reading reading books out on the lake while kayaking.
Leave a Reply