Save a Life Tour makes stop at Mountain Home Published Oct. 20, 2009 By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FROCE BASE, Idaho -- Members of the 366th Fighter Wing received the chance to learn and experience how drinking and driving don't mix during a Save a Life Tour presentation Oct. 19. The Save a Life Tour is an alcohol-awareness program designed to educate people about the dangers associated with drinking and driving. The presentation began with a 15-minute video showing real-life tragedies. Gunfighters then got a chance to sit in a drunk-driving simulator, which attempts to replicate the sensation of being intoxicated behind the wheel. During the event, Chris Geysbeer, Save a Life Tour manager, spoke to Airmen about his experiences and the loss of his 18-year-old best friend to a drunk driver. "I think by adding his own personal experience it helped make an impact with everyone here and got his point across to people a lot more," said Airman 1st Class Nathan Horn, 366th Component Maintenance Squadron. For many, the simulator helped them realize how difficult it is to drive under the influence of alcohol. "We are not tricking you with simulator," said Mr. Geysbeer. "We don't have it set up to turn right when you turn the steering wheel to the left so you hit a building and say, 'See don't drink and drive.' We have it set up to delay the responses from the gas pedal, brake and steering wheel, which is what alcohol does." "It was tough," said Airman Horn. "I didn't think it would be that hard." "I have been in many simulators, so I thought I would do better," said Col. Pete Lee, 366th FW vice commander. "But it was tough, it really seemed realistic. I hope everyone learns from this experience." Mr. Geysbeer said the drunk-driving simulator experience shows people how alcohol can affect reaction time, motor skills and tunnel vision, and how the brain decides to solve problems from a sober perspective. "If you can't do it sober with our help, then how do you think you can do it in the real world after you've been drinking," he said. The Save a Life Tour was brought to the base through Air Combat Command as another way to show Gunfighters the dangers of drinking and driving. "We've had 22 people make the wrong decision since January and that is unacceptable," said Colonel Lee. "We want to let people know there are many options here to help them get home. We have Airman Against Drunk Driving, Mountain Home has a taxi service, your wingman and your supervisor. I know many people don't want to call their supervisor, but I would rather call them for a ride home then to get me out of jail." For information on the Save a Life Tour program, visit http://www.savealifetour.com/ or call Karen Rogow, 366th FW ground safety, at 828-2066.