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Spring is right around the corner and with the coming of spring, safety again as always is on the forefront. This lecture is designed to review some basic safety concerns for the season and remember to apply the rules of Operational Risk Management to minimize injuries and limit damage to equipment/resources/property.
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 Perform appropriate stretching exercises to loosen up muscles.

Avoid jerky movements and try to maintain good posture.

Try to minimize the risk you take of getting injured. Wear appropriate protective equipment. I. E. knee pads, face guards, mouthpieces. Eat balanced meals and drink plenty of water before, during and after the activity.
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 DONT wear headsets. Run with a friend, in familiar areas. Always stay alert, run against traffic. Wear reflective material before dawn or after dark. Carry some type of identification /medical allergic notification. Use your intuition about a person or area. React to your intuition and avoid the person/area.

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 There is no such thing as a healthy tan. A tan, is in fact our bodys reaction to damage from over exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Ultraviolet radiation causes sunburn and aging of the skin but it can also lead to development of skin cancer. Over the last 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of skin cancer.
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 9 out of 10 cases of skin cancer are non-melanoma, which are rarely fatal if treated early. These cases are thought to be a result of cumulative exposure to the sun.

1 out of 10 cases of skin cancer are malignant melanoma, which can kill if not treated quickly. These cases are linked to sunburn and overexposure to the sun.
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 Your skin produces a pigment called melanin when exposed to the sun. Its your ability to produce melanin that decides whether you tan easily or not.

Fair-haired people tend to produce less melanin. The amount of protection a tan can give is very limited. By the time your skin tans, much of the damage has already been done.
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 Your skin color is a major factor in the risk of skin cancer:

High Risk People with pale skin and freckles, who tend to burn easily. Medium Risk People with darker hair/eyes, who tend to tan easily. Low Risk People with black/brown skin, who virtually never burn.
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What can you do to minimize your risk of overexposure to the Sun?

Take care not to burn, wear clothing that will put a barrier between yourself and the sun. Seek shade when the sun is most intense. Just because the sky is overcast, there can still be up to 80% of the ultraviolet radiation present. Take special care of children, they may not be aware of the suns strength. Use a high factor sunscreen and apply it generously, reapply at regular intervals
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Your body maintains its normal temperature of 98.6 F by radiating heat from its core outward to your skins surface. This process works well only when the temperature of the air is equal to or lower than that of your body. When it is humid and hot it becomes more difficult for your body to release the heat that builds up. Initially you may only be mildly uncomfortable.
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Heat Cramps: Mildest form of heat stress. Most often seen in poorly conditioned athletes who drink inadequate amounts of liquids before exercise/activity. Symptoms include: severe pain/cramps in legs and abdomen, fainting/dizziness, profuse sweating. If relief is not obtained, can progress to heat exhaustion/stroke.
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TREATMENT: Drink plenty of fluids (not alcohol/caffeinated beverages they can dehydrate your system), increase salt intake, rest and move to a cool place. Rest dont push yourself.

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Heat Exhaustion: Results when your heart, circulatory system and central nervous system fail to respond to heat stress. Symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, skin is cool and pale, pupils dilated, core temperature of over 102F. Heat exhaustion can quickly progress to heat stroke.
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TREATMENT for Heat Exhaustion: Get to the shade, cool off, increase fluids, cold wet towels or ice, fan, elevate legs above heart, loosen clothing, dont give any liquids containing alcohol or caffeine, may need IV. If condition worsens seek medical attention immediately. If left untreated Heat Exhaustion can lead to HEATSTROKE.
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Heat Stroke: a condition in which the temperature regulating center of your brain shuts down. Your body temperature soars. Can lead to severe/fatal brain, liver or kidney damage. Symptoms include: headache, nausea, dizziness, skin is red, dry and very hot, sweating has stopped, small pupils, lose consciousness, possible convulsions.
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TREATMENT for Heat Stroke: Remove to cooler location, loosen clothing, immerse in cool water, wrap in wet sheets, cold compresses to the head, neck and groin. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT give medication to lower fever, DO NOT use an alcohol rub.

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 At least an estimated 5,200 Americans die from drowning every year. Never allow toddlers/young children access to a pool/lake/pond without supervision. Know your limits and swimming ability. Understand any hazards that are present in the area. Use flotation devices. Swim in authorized areas only.
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 Diving into shallow water just to prove you can do it, can lead to tragedy.
Striking any obstacle could snap your neck, injure your spinal cord and all too often lead to permanent disability or death.

Always test the water and if you cant see below the surface of the water.. DONT DIVE IN.
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 Know the warning flags that are displayed to warn swimmers of danger in the water such as rip tides. Too many people have ignored these warnings here in Pensacola or gone swimming along beaches with no lifeguards on duty with tragic consequences.

Full time lifeguard service is available from the first of June through August; part-time and weekend service begins mid-April, then picks up again for September. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p. m.

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Look for the surf warning flags at the beach.

Green flag: calm conditions - swim with usual care.

Yellow flag: rough surf or likely currents - swim with special caution. Red flag: dangerous surf/swimming conditions exist. DO NOT SWIM.
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 If there is no flag flying, there is no lifeguard on duty, and a surf advisory is not available.
If you are caught in a washout/riptide, don't panic. Swim parallel to the beach until you can swim toward the shore without struggling. During electrical storms, get off the beach. Dont swim when you are tired or under the influence of alcohol/drugs.
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 Other activities such as skiing, jet skiing, surfing and boating pose a vast array of drowning dangers. Know how to handle the water craft you are operating and dont try to hot dog it and show off because you may just lose your life or take someone elses by trying to demonstrate your talents.
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 File a float plan when you are boating, make sure someone knows where you will be headed. Use common sense and check out your equipment before you head out. Respect the weather and understand how deadly it can become or how quickly it can change.

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 Know your personal skill level. Dont overestimate your abilities. Obtain competent instruction/training as the situation warrants. If you are a novice and trying to canoe a river with potentially rough waters, use some common sense and get an idea of what you are in for.

Wear appropriate clothing and safety devices/flotation devices. Remember to use protection from sun.
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 Dont load the canoe too heavily and balance out what you do load. Dont canoe on flooded rivers. Know the waterways you will be traveling or go with an experienced guide.. Pack an emergency kit that contains a flashlight, rescue bag/rope, medical kit, knife, and waterproof matches.
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 A helmet is designed to MITIGATE the impact of a blow to the head. Even the best helmet is unable to provide complete protection. Wearing a helmet does not make you invincible. Dont take more risks just because you are wearing a helmet. Fatalities can occur even if people wear helmets.
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 A helmet wont protect against other serious injuries to other parts of your body.

The best protection against any cycling/skating injury is accident prevention through correct and safe operation of the bike/skates/skateboard.
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 Know the rules of the road and have respect for them. Use skateboards/skates in areas designated for their use such as skate parks. Avoid traffic/crowds and areas with debris and surface irregularity. Learn to stop safely. Wear protective pads/gear.

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 Wear clothing for the appropriate weather.

Let someone outside your hiking party know where you are headed. Carry only what your hiking abilities will allow you to.

Carry a first aid kit and understand basic first aid practices.

Make a list of what you will take and try to plan ahead as much as possible.

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 There have been several homes fires throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties over the past few months. Most all of these fires were started through carelessness and inattention.

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 Dont leave pots simmering on your stove overnight, no matter how low the heat is. Check to make sure your stove/oven are turned off BEFORE you go to sleep.

Burn candles away from combustible materials. Pay special attention to gel candles. The chemicals contained within the gel substance build up a gas and often times it literally explodes, causing the burning substance to be spread to upholstery, walls, drapery and generally flammable material. Use gel candles with extreme caution.

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 TEST your SMOKE ALARMS. If you dont have them installed in your home purchase them and INSTALL them.

Be very cautious when using gas grills or even charcoal grills for that matter. Dont leave the grill unattended, dont grill where the flames or heat from the grill can affect or touch a combustible material near or around your home.

Keep gas igniters, matches away from children. This should almost be self explanatory but sometimes we forget with tragic results.

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 While some of the tips contained in the previous slides might seem very simplistic, these tips have been ignored or forgotten with very tragic results. It doesnt have to be that way. Just be cautious, use common sense and stay safe so you can enjoy the beauty of Spring and the fun of Summer.