As Temperatures Rise, So Do Military Mishaps

As Temperatures Rise, So Do Military Mishaps
Story Number: NNS090416-24
Release Date: 4/16/2009

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Marc Rockwell-Pate, Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Public Affairs

Safety First!

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) — With the weather getting warmer across most installations, Navy leadership is encouraging Sailors and their families to think ‘safety’ before participating in outdoor activities or traveling during the approaching critical days of summer.

“The ‘Critical days of Summer’ is a time period that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day,” said Bill Turnbull, the Safety Program director for Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia. “This time period is more dangerous for mishaps, because service members and their families are taking vacations and getting involved in outdoor activities that are high risk.”

According to Chief of Naval Air Training instruction 3058.1, some of the high-risk recreational activities service members and their families participate in are dirt biking, hunting, jet skiing, and scuba diving to name a few. Most of the time, people get hurt performing these high-risk activities because they are not physically prepared.

“People try to go right into their summer sports and activities after sitting around during the winter months and end up injuring themselves,” added Turnbull.

One Naples area Sailor feels the warm weather encourages military members to act before they think instead of considering their safety first.

“During the spring and summer, people try to do too much all at one time,” said Yeoman 2nd Class (SW) Jessica Ibarra. “People want to be adventurous and play stunt double, but then are like ‘Oops, I shouldn’t have done that.'”

Besides being the season for outdoor activities, the critical days of summer is also the time of year when service members and their families travel, putting them at a higher risk for motor vehicle mishaps. Although many people consider alcohol the number-one cause of personal motor vehicle (PMV) mishaps, Turnbull said that is usually not the case.

“Fatigue is biggest factor involved with PMV incidents,” said Turnbull. “There are also other major factors such as excessive speed, familiarity with the road, and longer road trips.”

To ensure service members and their families return from their trips safely, the Navy offers a variety of two-wheel and four-wheel vehicle educational and training courses, including the AAA Driver Improvement Program, the Motorcycle Basic Rider Course, and the Motorcycle Experienced Rider Course. These courses can not only improve your skills, but also lower your insurance costs.

In 2008, more than 110 Sailors and Marines lost their lives in traffic-related mishaps. Though males ages 18-26 are statistically more likely to be in a Spring or Summer mishap, Turnbull said that it can happen to anyone.

“Most mishaps occur because people are unprepared,” added Turnbull. “People need to understand the risks of their activities, take actions to mitigate those risks, and consciously accept the risks they are taking. Don’t just jump into something before you have thought it out.”

According to the Naval Safety Center Web site, Sailors should fill out an Individual Off-Duty Risk Assessment before participating in any high-risk activities or going on trips. This form is designed to quantify off-duty risk potential and focus on intervention and prevention strategies.

For more information about recreational and motor vehicle preventive strategies and training for both afloat and ashore, log onto safetycenter.navy.mil.