101 Critical Days of Summer Published May 18, 2009 By Mr. Ron James Chief of Ground Safety HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- So far this year the Air Force has lost too many of its valued members to fatalities. Twenty five members of the Air Force team have been lost in off duty vehicle accidents; we are not into the period of time that historically produces a lot of mishaps. I am talking about "101 Days of Summer". This is a period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Increased outdoor and recreational activities usually results in increased mishaps Hill AFB can identify areas of concern that historically have produced mishaps. Motorcycle mishaps stand out as a consistent source of summer injuries. There have been motorcycle fatalities in the past. Hill has had numerous motorcycle related injuries that could have been fatal. Casual factors include: alcohol use, inexperienced riders and pushing bikes beyond safe operating parameters. Automobile accidents are always a contributor to our summer rates. Hill employees have sustained some very serious injuries from automobile accidents. We spend a lot of time in our cars getting to summer activities. Causal factors of past summer automobile accidents include: falling asleep at the wheel, alcohol use, driving to fast for existing conditions. ATV mishaps have been on the rise. The past few years has seen some very serious injuries sustained from ATV use. We see folks rent ATVs who have no riding experience. We have had people crush parts of their body because they underestimated the ATVs ability to turn on gravel. We have had young airman who thought the ATV could fly, bouncing the riders off and then running over them. Causal factors from these type of accidents include: inexperience, inexperience, inexperience. Mountain Activities. Mishaps associated with cold mountain lakes have occurred in the past. Swimming in cold mountain lakes is much different than warmer waters. Cramps can set in that make swimming next to impossible. Hikers have also underestimated the seriousness of hiking/climbing in steep terrain. What can be done to reduce/eliminate these types of mishaps? Personal Risk Management. Take a little time to evaluate what you are doing. Always be asking "What if?". STEP 1: Identify the hazards you are exposed to. Most of us have a good idea of the hazards we face in our daily world. Think about what the hazards you are facing and the risks you are taking. If you swim across that cold lake, what hazards exist? STEP 2: Assess the Risks. We do a poor job assessing the risks o We often feel we are somehow removed from the risks - it won't happen to me. Risks apply to everyone else, not me. o We often marginalize the risk without serious thought to what they really are. What risks are you taking by getting on an ATV with no experience? STEP 3: Analyze the risk and consider the options. Determine what level of risk you can live with. Risk can be defined as the possibility of suffering harm or loss. By looking at the consequences of the risk, you will easily determine what level of risk you can live with. What consequences can you live with o Can you live with the risk you take when you do not wear your seat belt? Can you live with the consequence of broken face, back, lacerations? o Can you live with the consequences your body will experiences should you loose control of your motorcycle when it takes the canyon turn at 100 mph? Step 4: Make the right decision. If not for yourself, then for others. Internalize "Personal Risk Management". Burn into your minds the consequences that unsafe acts will have on you, your friends and loved ones. Investigation of accidents is a sobering experience. Often a single thoughtless act results in serious consequences for the rest of your life. Start practicing your "Personal Risk Management" by thinking through the situation you are in, considering the consequences and options and then making an informed decision, instead of a spur of the moment decision.