101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign begins today

  • Published
  • By Lorie Bellamy
  • 436th Airlift Wing Safety Office
Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the 101 Critical Days of Summer. This is historically the period in which the Air Force experiences the highest number of safety mishaps, particularly during off-duty activities.

Increased daylight hours and better weather provide more opportunities for travel and recreation. Unfortunately, many wingmen ignore the risks associated with summer activities.

The Air Force lost 18 people in 2006, 11 of these fatalities occurred while operating four-wheel privately-owned vehicles or motorcycles.

Three of the individuals were fatally injured when they were ejected from their vehicles because they did not use a seat belt.

The lack of seat-belt use is alarming considering it is a law in most states, and Air Force members are constantly reminded that seat belt use is mandatory and critical to their safety.

Driving is not the only activity that has associated risks. Three Air Force members drowned last year; one while snorkeling, another while fishing and the third after jumping from a railroad trestle into a river. There were also two pedestrian fatalities.

One individual was struck while walking his base's perimeter during the hours of darkness and the second individual was struck by a private vehicle while attempting to free a vehicle from a ditch.

In many cases, alcohol was a factor in the fatalities. Drinking and driving simply cannot be tolerated and has been proven time and time again to be a deadly combination.
Dover AFB's DUI rates have increased significantly during the first quarter; they are up 45-percent compared to the same time last year.

There has also been a 57-percent increase in underage-drinking incidents involving Dover AFB members. We must all take proactive measures to mitigate risk and prevent these types of incidents.

Each year many Dover Team members become injured participating in sports and other outdoor activities.

Utilizing operational-risk-management principles, commanders and supervisors must emphasize risk awareness for their Airmen engaged in swimming and water-related activities.

Servicemembers should not swim alone. Also, remember that combining alcohol with swimming increases the potential for a safety mishap. Swimming in unfamiliar areas should also 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 your personal-protective equipment. Avoid overexertion; the summer heat brings on fatigue more quickly.

The 436th AW Safety Office provided ORM worksheets to work centers as a tool to assess the risk for those taking long trips. Safety belts and motorcycle personal-protective equipment are proven lifesavers; please use them.

In addition, any military member owning or operating a sport bike will be required to take Air Mobility Command-directed sport-bike proficiency training consisting of classroom instruction, range exercises, an on-base ride and an off-base ride monitored by instructors and squadron-motorcycle mentors. Wing Safety will work with squadron motorcycle safety representatives for scheduling.

It's critical that motorcycle operators also wear the proper personal-protective equipment as required by DoD and Air Force instructions. Even though helmets are not required in Delaware, they are required to be worn by all DoD identification cardholders while riding on or off base, on or off duty. Helmets are also required for any rider on a DoD installation.

Every commander, supervisor and worker must be committed to avoiding mishaps. We must continue to focus on safety and take the required measures to protect ourselves and our loved ones.