The Source for Navy News

Naval Aviation Schools Command Campaigns for Health and Safety with Base Fair
Story Number: NNS130430-19
4/30/2013

By Ensign Jesse Boyette, Naval Aviation Schools Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- The Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC) held its annual Health and Safety Fair April 26 in the Aviation Support Equipment hangar at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC).

Thirty organizations volunteered and provided dozens of displays combined with health screenings and safety demonstrations to more than 2,500 Sailors and Marines.

Required for NASC staff and students, the event was also open to all NAS Pensacola personnel and the general public.

Topics highlighted during the event ranged from body mass screenings to swimming safety. Gulf Power Company's electrical safety demonstration, which used an electrically-charged model with power lines, was a favorite for Ensign Brittany Artis, student naval flight officer at NASC.

"I had no idea that I am so vulnerable to electrocution even when not directly touching any electrical wires," said Artis. "Thanks to the demonstration, I now know how to escape safely from a vehicle touching a downed power line."

The NASC Safety Office demonstrated how alcohol distorts judgment with a 'drunk goggles' obstacle course. Marines and Sailors donned goggles equipped with special lenses simulating vision impairment with various levels of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) while they attempted to make their way through a path lined with traffic cones.

"The drunk goggles completely threw off my perception," said Electrician's Mate Airman Davis Tyler, a student at NATTC. "I thought I was going one way when I actually going in a different direction -- I kept tripping over the cones while trying to navigate with the .25 percent BAC goggles."

According to NASC Safety Officer John Prince, this event remains a prime example of the Navy's concern with the wellbeing of its personnel.

"This fair demonstrates NASC's constant emphasis on safety and is in addition to the mandatory safety training throughout the year for our staff and students," said Prince. "As a result of our aggressive safety programs, we have seen a reduction in the injury rate of our personnel by 52 percent over the past three years."

The event functions annually as NASC's kick-off for the Navy's 100 Critical Days of Summer program. According to the Naval Safety Center, the Navy historically experiences a significant rise in mishaps as spring and summer begin. Incorporating additional risk management training during this period revitalizes and reinforces efforts to reduce safety hazards.

"Safety cannot be stressed enough, whether on the job or at home," said Capt. James Vandiver, NASC commanding officer. "You expect numerous safety risks when flying from the deck of an aircraft carrier or lowering rescue swimmers from a helicopter, but texting while driving or using a chainsaw at home can severely injure you just as easily. Our safety efforts aim to instill risk management as part of daily activities for our Sailors and Marines and effectively help to reduce accidents and maintain mission readiness."

Additional safety information can be found by visiting the Naval Safety Center website: http://safetycenter.navy.mil/.>
For more information about the Naval Aviation Schools Command, visit the NASC website at http://www.netc.navy.mil/nascweb/.

For more news from Naval Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnet/.