Fact Sheet Search

  • A GOOD FIT

    A helmet is the single best way to prevent brain injury when riding a bicycle. A bicycle helmet should be snug, level and stable on your head and cover most of your forehead before any adjustments are made. Place the helmet on your head, and without buckling the chin strap, shake your head to see

  • SOBERING FACTS

    Every day, almost 30 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This amounts to one death every 48 minutes. In 2010, 10,228 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (31 percent) of all

  • ‘PIN’-POINTING THE PROBLEM

    Two factors contributed to the T-6 Texan II mishap that caused an inadvertent activation of the aircraft's canopy fracturing system and some $100,000 in damages. 1. The student pilot didn't fasten his sleeves, which snagged on the canopy fracturing system handle. All aviators should fasten the

  • LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE DAY I ALMOST DIED

    1. Never, ever play with boating equipment, and remember to secure it. 2. If you leave your boat, take everything with you, including life jackets (keep spares in the boat). 3. Always ensure the anchor is properly secured (and two anchors are better than one). 4. Always bring a few pieces of warm

  • OOPS! WHAT WENT WRONG?

    He didn't check or service his jet ski before going to the lake. He went out on the lake alone. He didn't make a plan and follow it, so no one knew exactly where he was as he went exploring. There were signs that the jet ski wasn't acting right, but he ignored them. He forgot to pack

  • TRENDING UP GETS THUMBS DOWN WHEN IT COMES TO SEVERING FINGERS

    Here are synopses of the seven Air Force mishaps that ended up in lost digits from Oct. 15 to Jan. 7 this fiscal year. Three of the seven happened in Air Education and Training Command. 1. Oct. 15: A 52-year-old civilian amputated his left ring finger while attempting to open a manhole cover with an

  • THREE FATALITIES IN TWO WEEKS

    Air Education and Training Command suffered three motorcycle mishap deaths during a two-week timespan in March. A technical sergeant from Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas; a second lieutenant from Laughlin AFB, Texas; and a staff sergeant from Luke AFB, Ariz., lost their lives while riding

  • LIGHTNING MYTHS

    MYTH: Lightning never strikes the same place twice. FACT: Lightning often strikes the same place repeatedly, especially if it's a tall, pointy, isolated object. The Empire State Building is hit nearly 100 times a year. MYTH: If it's not raining or there aren't clouds overhead, you're definitely safe

  • STOP THE TEXTS; STOP THE WRECKS

    Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field. A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into a crash. Of those killed in distracted driving related crashes, 18 percent

  • DON’T GET BURNED

    Even though the flash fire mishap wasn't her fault, Staff Sgt. Erica Luke admitted she could have done some things better in regard to proper wear of her protective equipment to help limit her injuries. "I'm more cautious now," she said. "It's 'the snake that bit you,' so I don't cut any corners

  • WHEN JACK FROST HITS …

    KNOW THE ROAD CONDITIONS. Before starting your trip, check weather forecasts and call the highway patrol for road conditions. IF YOU REALLY DON'T HAVE TO GO OUT, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate. If you don't have somewhere you have to be,

  • HOW THEY SURVIVED

    TRAINING. Pay attention to your refresher training and pre-flight briefs; they can save your life. PROPER SLEEP AND NUTRITION. Both can positively or negatively affect your ability to handle G forces. MAKE THE EJECTION DECISION. You need to punch out of an out-of-control aircraft that is

  • WHAT CAN BE DONE?

    People, especially young children or those who are immunocompromised, should be discouraged from sharing their bed with their pets or regularly kissing their pets. Any area licked by a pet, especially an open wound, should be immediately washed with soap and water. Pets should be kept free