101 Critical Days of Summer Safety, Campaign kickoff starts May 23 Published May 15, 2008 By Lorie Bellamy 436th AW Safety DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the 101 Critical Days of Summer for Team Dover. This is historically the period in which the Air Force experiences the most mishaps, particularly during off-duty activities because increased daylight hours and better weather provide more opportunities for travel and recreation. Unfortunately, many people ignore the risks associated with summer activities. Last year, out of 19 Air Force members who died, two of them were Team Dover Airmen; and 14 of which were from fatalities that occurred with private motor vehicles or motorcycles: Dover Air Force Base had four motorcycle mishaps: -One resulted in the death of an activated Air National Guard member who was fatally injured while operating a sport bike at a high rate of speed. -One Dover Airman was fatally injured after being ejected from a vehicle when it rolled over as three other Airmen sustained serious injuries in the four-wheel vehicle mishap. Airmen across the Air Force: - Airmen did not wear seat belts or helmets. One individual was fatally injured after being ejected from a vehicle when it rolled over because they did not wear a seat belt. In most states, it is a mandatory law to wear a seat belt and helmets. Safety belts and motorcycle personal protective equipment are proven lifesavers. -Motorcycle mishaps and fatalities involved losing control or speed of the motorcycle. An Airman was fatally injured while operating a sport bike at a high rate of speed and another was seriously injured after losing control in a curve. Motorcycle safety is critical during this time of year. Military members must complete either a basic or experienced Motorcycle Safety Course before operating a motorcycle on or off base. In addition, any military member owning or operating a sport bike is required to take the Air Mobility Command sport bike course consisting of classroom discussion and range exercises. The Safety Office will work with squadron motorcycle safety representatives for scheduling. Driving is not the only activity that has associated risks. -Two Airmen drowned last year due to flood waters and falling out of a boat while fishing. Utilizing Operational Risk Management principles, commanders and supervisors must emphasize risk awareness for their personnel engaged in swimming and water related activities. Airmen should not swim alone or combine alcohol with swimming because it will increase the potential for a mishap. Swimming in unfamiliar areas should be avoided. If boating, it is advisable to take a boating safety course. Boaters must be alert, sober and wear life jackets when underway. For all sporting activities, use conditioning and stretching exercises and wear personal protective equipment. Avoid overexertion; the summer heat brings on fatigue more quickly. -Two Airmen were fatally injured in other activities such as a dirt bike mishap and driving an All Terrain Vehicle. As is most often the case, alcohol was a factor in several of the fatalities. Drinking and driving simply cannot be tolerated and has been proven time and time again to be a deadly combination. Utilizing the Dover Airmen Against Drunk Driving program, having a plan for the night and the Wingman concept are all key to looking out for one another to ensure everyone gets home safely. To lessen your chances of becoming involved in a crash, remember the following: -Don't drink and drive or ride with anyone who has been drinking. -Drive within the speed limits. Speeding nationwide is a factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes resulting in over 13,000 lost lives. -Fatigue and driving are a lethal combination. Do not work an entire shift and then drive long distances. Incorporate stops every few hours during a trip and overnight enroute if required. Wing Safety has provided ORM worksheets to work centers as a tool to assess the risk for taking long trips. The base goal for this summer is to prevent needless fatalities as mentioned above. Safety is everyone's responsibility. ORM must be incorporated into daily activities. Every commander, supervisor and worker must be committed to avoiding mishaps. To have a safe and enjoyable summer, continue to focus on safety and take the required measures to protect ourselves and loved ones.