Junior enlisted Sailors gathered at the Training Support Command (TSC) auditorium at Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) for a Street Smart workshop presented by Stay Alive from Education (S.A.F.E) Nov. 3.

The Street Smart workshop, a part of the Resilient Workforce Summit hosted by NBSD for fiscal year 2016, is a dynamic brief that helps capture the attention of students in attendance and remind them that simple decisions can have life saving effects.

"I've seen these kind of presentations throughout my life but this one opened my eyes a lot more," said Gunner's Mate Seaman Jocelyn Feliciano, a student at the Vertical Launch System (VLS) School at NBSD.

The workshop aims to remind the audience of the dangers of underage drinking, drunk driving, illegal drug use and not wearing seat belts.

"The mission of the Street Smart program is to make sure that our military personnel make the right choices when it comes to drinking and driving and using drugs and driving," said Raphael Jimenez, a Street Smart presenter and retired paramedic with more than 25 years in the field. "We want to make sure that they are making smart choices in regards to wearing seat belts and not being a distracted driver."

Jimenez and his partner, James McCarty, believe that the hands-on approach with visual aids help drive home the point of safe driving to the forefront of thoughts when getting behind the wheel.

"We feel fulfilled and rewarded knowing that after each workshop we have made a difference," said Jimenez.

Jimenez and McCarty explained to Sailors safe driving involves everyone in the vehicle and anything not strapped down, especially people, can become projectiles causing harm to anyone even those wearing a seatbelt.

"I feel like I can spread the word more on wearing your seat belt, especially if I'm in the car with someone who isn't wearing it," said Feliciano. "Everyone should prepare for the worst because anything can happen."

Students also learned how to recognize Emergency Medical Services (EMS) procedures, which could benefit the patient, first responders and emergency room personnel by reducing anxiety during future trauma experiences.

Street Smart is taught by certified firefighters/paramedics using factual information, actual medical equipment and demonstrations involving the audience to provide a real-life look at the consequences of substance abuse and irresponsible actions.

This program is available nationwide to help people make wise decisions concerning drinking, drunk driving, illegal drug use and wearing seat belts.

For more information on the Street Smart workshop, visit www.safeprogram.com.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit www.navy.mil/.