101 Critical Days begins Memorial Day weekend

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Summer is just around the corner, and many Gunfighters may be daydreaming about enjoying their favorite summer activities - vacations, picnics, camping out, boating and so forth. By keeping safety in mind, all of these summer activities can be great fun.

"The summer is also the time of the year when there is more risk to everyone," said Karen Rogow, 366th Fighter Wing ground safety manager. "More accidents happen in the three months between Memorial Day weekend and the Labor Day weekend than any other time of the year. For this reason, the Air Force recognizes this time as the '101 Critical Days of Summer.'"

In 2007, 19 Air Force members lost their lives during the 101 Critical Days of Summer. Seven of these were assigned to Air Combat Command. Of those seven, four involved vehicle mishaps, two were a result of motorcycle mishaps and one was a sports and recreation mishap. The ACC goal this year, and every year, is zero fatalities. Many factors were involved in the 19 lives lost last year including; driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, fatigue, not using seatbelts or even a combination of two or more reasons.

"Of the four vehicle mishaps three involved the fault of other drivers," said Ms. Rogow. "Two military members attempted to avoid head-on collisions with drivers who were passing into their lane. One military driver was unfortunately struck by an intoxicated driver. Only one of the vehicle mishaps was the fault of the military driver -- who was driving between 60 and 70 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone, lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree. Watching out for the other person is a lesson to be learned in this category.

"The two motorcycle mishaps involved speed," said Ms. Rogow. "In one of these mishaps, the individual lost control of his motorcycle and wasn't wearing a helmet. The other driver was racing another vehicle at approximately 100 mph on a public road when he lost control."

Each year Gunfighters also become injured participating in sports and other outdoor activities. Utilizing Operational Risk Management principles, commanders and supervisors must emphasize risk awareness for their personnel engaged in swimming and water related activities.

Every year, there are thousands of people killed in drowning accidents. Unfortunately, Air Force personnel are not exempt from this summertime killer either.

"While hiking, some hikers stopped to swim in a waterfall pond in Arizona," said Ms. Rogow. "An unforeseen storm caused a wall of water to come rushing down which swept the military member downstream, suffering head injuries."

This weekend, the weather may be warmer, but the Boise River is still too dangerous for floating and Barber Park has not yet opened for the season.

By the end of the week, stream flow at the Glenwood Bridge should be between 4,000 and 4,300 cubic feet per second.

Barber Park will not open until flows are 1,500 cubic feet per second or below, say county officials.

"They said that the speed and volume of the rivers due to the recent run-off and melting of the mountain snow pack causes great concern," said Ms. Rogow.

"Additionally, the water is so cold that hypothermia can set in quickly," said Ms. Rogow. "Water draws warmth away from the body 25 times faster than air does. Even in the summer, water temperatures in Idaho's lakes and rivers can be low and quickly lead to hypothermia."

"Alcohol is a factor in nearly half of the drownings that occur," said Ms. Rogow. "Alcohol use can result in the loss of coordination and lack of good judgment. Alcohol also increases the chances of drowning due to hypothermia, because it causes the blood vessels near the skin to dilate and increase heat loss from the body."

To lessen the chances of becoming involved in a swimming accident, don't swim alone, don't swim in unfamiliar areas and avoid alcohol while swimming.

Boating is also another area where alcohol should be avoided to prevent accidents.

"It has been shown that in as little as four hours of exposure to the sun, wind, glare, vibration and other motion, the water produces an effect known as 'boater's hypnosis,' a kind of fatigue that slows a persons reaction time almost as much as if the person was drunk. Alcohol only makes the situation worse. It is also imperative to take a boating safety course," said Ms. Rogow.

For all sporting activities, use conditioning and stretching exercises and wear the personal protective equipment.

"Safety can also be extended to areas around the house," said Ms. Rogow. "While working around the house, remember to use hearing protection, eye protection and wear sturdy footwear while operating lawn mowers and weed eaters. Ensure hand tools are used properly and remember not to overdo it while out in the garden."

For any outdoor activity remember to avoid overexertion; the summer heat brings on fatigue more quickly.

"Our goal this summer is to prevent needless fatalities," said Ms. Rogow. "Safety is everyone's responsibility. Every commander, supervisor and worker must be committed to avoiding mishaps."