Airmen learn how to be S.A.F.E.

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Jessica Brown
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  When a good time leads to bad choices, often times there is more than one victim.

The Stay Alive From Education (S.A.F.E.) organization hosted nearly 600 McConnell Air Force Base Airmen Nov. 19,  at the base theater. 

The campaign is designed to educate adults on the dangers of high-risk behaviors while driving and the trauma often associated with them. McConnell AFB hosts the program annually, as an initiative to help educate Airmen and reduce accidents and DUI incidents. 

"This campaign is designed to remind [them] about poor decisions made while behind the wheel, and how it affects others," said Ronny Garcia, Training Coordinator, Florida S.A.F.E. Inc. "This presentation provides a glimpse from the paramedics perspective -- what we see and do when poor choices result in trauma accidents."

The Street Smart presentation is renowned for its blunt, real-life depictions of accidents, which Garcia said is designed to emphasize the severity of the topic.

"We show some graphic imagery, but it's not meant to scare people," Garcia said.  "However, the content is not comfortable to look at, which can scare some people when they are faced with it."

Airman 1st Class Christopher Meuse, 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, was chosen from the audience to act as a car accident victim. Garcia explained, in detail, each step of the process, beginning with the arrival of the paramedics to the "scene" of the scenario to the long-term healing process Meuse would suffer through. 

While strapped to a spinal board with simulated intravenous tubes attached to him, Meuse said he could not help but imagine what would happen to him if he had been in a real accident.

"I played through some scenarios and kept thinking about the consequences, and how it might impact my family and friends," the Barnesville, Ga. native said. "What would I do if this had really happened to me?  It would be terrible."

Garcia said he enjoys instructing Street Smart because the campaign can make a difference, before an accident happens. 

"I hope [they] walk away with new knowledge of the dangers we all face on the road - everyday," added Garcia.  "When I'm finished presenting, I get this sense that I may have just saved an Airman's life."

For more information on the Street Smart program and S.A.F.E., visit www.safeprogram.com/index.html.