Taking Safety into Your Own Hands: Avoid the Seasonal Off-Duty Mishaps

Airmen are warriors who face danger regularly; they stay hyperfocused, often while under fire, to keep themselves and others safe during harrowing missions. Even warriors need downtime, but it is essential to keep safety in mind, even off-duty.

Airmen have responsibilities and activities outside of their military service that can lead to minor injuries that may majorly affect their military careers. Finding the numbers for cardiac events, fatalities, and catastrophic injuries that occur when someone is doing yard work, shoveling snow, skiing, or snowboarding is easy, but finding the statistics for minor injuries is more complicated. Instances of rolled or sprained ankles, fractured kneecaps, bruised shins, scratched corneas, mild concussions, back pain, and other health concerns may not be reported or receive the same scholarly attention as more severe issues; however, they are the kinds of injuries that can ground you.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), bruises and broken bones are the most common skiing and snowboarding injuries; snowboarders typically injure their wrists or arms, whereas skiers most often injure their knees, heads, or faces. The USDA recommends that all skiers and snowboarders take the following precautions:

• Wear helmets designed for their specific winter sports.
• Use sunscreen and ski goggles to protect their skin and eyes from sun and wind.
• Wear boots that fit well and have bindings that are adjusted correctly.
• Prepare for the weather with layers of clothing, helmet liners, hats, or headbands.
• Avoid skiing or snowboarding alone.
• Follow all trail rules and stay on designated trails and only on trails that match their skill level.
• Take a lesson even if they have experience because they can benefit from a review.
• Use a ski lift, tow rope, or carpet to ensure they know how to get on, ride, and get off safely, and ask an attendant for help if needed.

Off-duty injuries could result in a line of duty determination, exposing an Airman to a reduction in salary and disability retirement or severance pay if the incident occurred due to misconduct. Time spent in the hospital, or any time the Airman is unable to work can extend the enlistment period. It is also important for Airmen to stay updated on their Survivor Benefit Plan eligibility, and veteran and family member benefits before a mishap happens, and in case of unforeseen injury or disability.

It can be difficult to stay concerned about safety when you are off duty and not in constant danger; however, you are responsible to your country, your family, and yourself to be safety-minded during all situations.

According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), most of the 41 catastrophic injuries during the 2020 to 2021 ski season occurred on intermediate terrain. A hill with no black diamond can still be dangerous and become a significant detriment to your career and family stability if you happen to suffer an injury, minor as it may be. NSAA recommends that anyone hitting the slopes adhere to the following safety code:

• Stay in control.
• Remember that the people ahead of you have the right of way.
• Stop in a safe place for yourself and others.
• Look uphill and yield when starting downhill or merging.
• Prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe signs and warnings; keep off closed trails.
• Know how to use the lifts safely.

No matter which winter activity you enjoy, be sure to obey all rules and regulations and always maintain a keen awareness to help ensure your safety.

Even an off duty seasonal task as seemingly innocuous as clearing yard debris or snow from your property can be treacherous. According to the National Institute of Health, more than 76,000 injuries occur per year while raking leaves or using other garden implements. If you do any yard work this season, use caution and be sure to listen to your body; do not overexert.

Rest is important, but so is staying safe. No matter what you do while off duty, returning to active duty in peak physical and mental shape is your top priority. Just because you are the best does not mean you are invincible. The playwright Plautus noted that flying without feathers is not easy, so do not make it more difficult with an off-duty mishap.