Safety helps keep the doctor away

by Airman 1st Class Zade C. Vadnais
18th Wing Public Affairs

1/23/2014 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Fitness is a big part of every active duty service member's life. Regular fitness evaluations, routine unit PT sessions, and working toward personal fitness goals are day-to-day considerations for everyone on Kadena.

Unfortunately, since they are performed so often, fitness activities have the potential to put service members at risk if they are not approached properly and with care.

"In fiscal year 2013 there were 59 on-duty injuries and 26 off-duty injuries," said Senior Master Sgt. Charles A. Siroin, Jr, 18th Wing Safety ground safety manager. "Fitness is one of the activities with the most mishaps on-duty as well as off-duty; fitness-related injuries account for 24 percent of all off-duty mishaps."

It is especially important for everyone to know the dangers specific to Okinawa. As a subtropical island and world-famous water sports destination, the island presents unique dangers residents should be aware of.

"We have had fatalities in the past with scuba diving and snorkeling, and even people just getting too close to the waves and being taken out to sea," said Siroin. "Because of Okinawa's climate everyone is doing fitness activities year-round. That's definitely our unique activity we have to constantly be aware of. There is no point when the amount of fitness mishaps decreases, they're constant throughout the year."

Siroin said that although the amount of mishaps doesn't decrease at any point in the year there is an increase following the beginning of the intramural sports season. Flag football, soccer and basketball are the sports with the highest rate of injury.

"Flag football historically has the worst mishaps because when these injuries happen it's not just a rolled ankle," said Siroin. "Usually it's because they came into contact with another player."

Outdoor activities aren't the only fitness endeavors that should be treated with caution. Those working out at Kadena's Risner Fitness Center should be careful as well.

"If anyone gets injured at Risner, all the incident reports are brought to us," said Staff Sgt. Michael R. Voutila, 18th Force Support Squadron sports director. "I'd say monthly we see maybe one or two incident reports."

Incident reports provide those who have suffered an injury at Risner a 48-hour window to claim the gym was at fault, although most injuries sustained at Risner are caused by unsafe or careless behavior.

The most common unsafe fitness behavior Voutila sees is improper lifting, an observation Christie L. Cornell, Kadena Heath and Wellness Center health promotions manager, agrees with.

"The combination of lifting too much weight and using poor form ultimately leads to injury," Cornell said. "It may not be today or tomorrow, but long term it will definitely lead to an injury."

Voutila said the best resource for information pertaining to fitness safety is the HAWC, where in addition to performing as the center's health promotions manager Cornell is the acting exercise physiologist.

"(Exercise physiologists) serve as the subject matter expert on exercise science and the impact of medical issues on the installation's fitness program," said Cornell. "We also provide guidance and recommendations for commanders that have unit PT programs. We want to make sure people are doing what they are supposed to do to stay safe in this environment."

All of the organizations on Kadena dedicated to promoting fitness safety do so by educating service members and their families on the difference between safe and unsafe behaviors and the risks the latter present. It's no surprise to learn their suggestion for the best way to prevent unnecessary injuries.

"Knowledge," said Senior Airman Miranda J. Douglas, 18th Force Support Squadron assistant sports director. "Make sure you know what you're doing. If you don't, find somebody who knows and ask them."

"Know your own personal limit," Siroin said. "I love football; however, I'm older now. I know what I can do and what I can't do and a lot of times people disregard that and push themselves too far."

The HAWC and ground safety ultimately hope to decrease the number of avoidable injuries in the future by spreading awareness about the risks unsafe behaviors present.
"The overall goal is to try to achieve zero preventable mishaps," said Siroin. "One is too many in our eyes, so we try to shoot for zero."

For more information, contact Kadena's HAWC at DSN 634-2499.