One of the keys to a safe, enjoyable summer is sound
decision making.
One of the soundest decisions people can make – whether
they’re swimming at the beach or lake, playing one of their favorite summertime
sports or barbecuing in the backyard – is to stay sober or minimize their
alcohol consumption.
The Air Force loses Airmen every year because of
alcohol-related accidents – 26 in fiscal year 2015, including three from Air
Education and Training Command – but it doesn’t have to be that way, said Joint
Base San Antonio safety and mental health professionals.
“Many people take advantage of the great weather summer
provides,” said Staff Sgt. Dominick Fugazzi, 502nd Air Base Wing safety
technician. “Firing up the grill, having some ice cold beers and spending some
quality time with your friends and family at the beach or on a boat is a common
summer day. However, when alcohol is involved, have a plan.”
Fugazzi said people should follow measures such as staying
hydrated, pacing themselves, knowing their limits, designating a driver,
staying aware and taking extra precautions.
“Staying hydrated is the foundation of safe summer
drinking,” he said. “Alcohol prevents the reabsorption of water into the
bloodstream by inhibiting the antidiuretic hormone. The dehydrating effects of
alcohol combined with sweating in the sun can create a serious lack of water in
your body.”
Fugazzi said alcohol consumption is especially risky when a
person engages in physical activities such as swimming.
“Drinking alcohol can bring out the risk-taker in you while
simultaneously inhibiting balance, coordination and judgment,” he said. “You
should be particularly wary of swimming during or after drinking. All swimmers
should wear a life vest on open water, but the risk of drowning increases with
alcohol. Impaired swimmers are more likely to misjudge distance, the strength
of the current, the temperature of the water and their own strength as a
swimmer.”
When it comes to driving, a good decision is to stay sober
or have a designated driver.
If a designated driver is not available, Armed Forces
Against Drunk Driving is a great option, said Capt. Erik Ringdahl, 359th
Medical Operations Squadron clinical psychologist.
AFADD is a nonprofit volunteer program that provides free
and safe rides home to military members.
Fugazzi said boat operators must also be sober.
“It should go without saying that there should always be a
sober designated driver whenever traveling by car,” he said. “The same goes for
boating. One in five reported boating fatalities involve alcohol, and a sober
presence will not only keep the boat operating smoothly, but ensure any
drinkers stay safe.”
Ringdahl said a person is intoxicated when he or she is over
the legal limit of alcohol, defined by most states as a blood alcohol content
at or above 0.08. However, even one alcoholic drink can be too much.
“One drink being too much is contingent upon many factors,
such as the size of the beverage and the alcoholic content of the drink, as
well as the individual’s drinking habits and ability to metabolize alcohol,” he
said.
According to the American Psychological Association,
Ringdahl said, the consequences of intoxication include, but are not limited
to, problematic behavior or psychological changes such as inappropriate sexual
or aggressive behavior, mood swings and impaired judgment. Other changes may
include slurred speech, lack of coordination, unsteady gait, problems with
vision, impairment in attention or memory, coma and even death.
The physiological effects of alcohol on the body are also
numerous, he said.
“Alcohol can impact the brain, heart, liver, pancreas, mouth
and immune system,” Ringdahl said. “Drinking over a long period of time has
been associated with cardiovascular conditions, stroke, cancer and high blood
pressure.
“Cirrhosis of the liver is common among overuse of alcohol,”
he said. “Fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis can also develop over
time with excessive alcohol consumption, so consulting with a physician is
extremely important.”
Ringdahl said active-duty members should be especially
mindful of alcohol consumption.
“Such behavior can reflect negatively on our military and
our ability to reliably answer our nation’s call,” he said.
Ringdahl urged Airmen to be responsible.
“Have a safe plan and stick to it,” he said. “There should
always be a sober wingman in the group when drinking, and the right time to
make a plan is before you take your first drink.”
Fugazzi said the Air Force’s 0-0-1-3 policy is sound advice
– zero drinks for those under 21 years of age, zero DUIs, a maximum of one
drink per hour and a maximum of three drinks per night.
In addition, the Air Force offers the Alcohol Drug Abuse
Prevention and Treatment Program, or ADAPT, which promotes readiness, health
and wellness through four tiers of activities, he said.
To contact AFADD at JBSA, call 710-7171.