Safety day arms Airmen for summer survival

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Charles Dickens
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus Air Force Base held a Safety Day May 24 to help members of Team BLAZE understand the risks of the effects of alcohol in lifestyles and prepare them for the upcoming summer months.

"Colonel Seguin's expectation is for all Columbus Air Force Base Airmen to return safely at the end of the 2012 Critical Days of Summer ready to do the mission," said Col. Matt Isler, 14th Flying Training Wing Vice Commander.

During the summer months people get out and partake in dangerous activities that do not occur during the winter months, which cause injuries and fatalities, said Maj. Tom Collins, 14th FTW Safety Office.

Unit and wing-level briefings were held throughout the day to promote Safety Day and included a skit and briefing to show and explain the long-term effects of alcohol.

The skit showed that excess alcohol usage causes trouble. During the skit an Airman fails an unannounced room inspection because of empty alcohol containers littering their room, gets sent to the first sergeant because of the failed room inspection and a decline in work performance. After an evaluation by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment office he gets diagnosed with alcohol dependence.

Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, can lead to a deficiency is needed vitamins and minerals and malnutrition which can make the body more susceptible to infection, liver disease, brain damage and other serious conditions. One episode of deep intoxication can cause irreversible brain damage, said Master Sgt. Renee Oliviel, 14th Medical Operations Squadron.

Oliviel gave tips to ensure responsible drinking: having a plan is before beginning drinking, limiting the number of drinks consumed to three drinks in one day and knowing what personal limits are.

To keep up to date with Air Force safety tips during the 2012 Critical Days of Summer follow www.afsec.af.mil/criticaldaysofsummer.