JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --
As winter snow storms and arctic freezes continue to plague mainland North America and other parts of the world, JBPH-H Airmen are reminded that 365 days of summer weather is not without its own set of weather related hazards and safety concerns to be cognizant of.
Hawaii's tropical weather may be a dream for the outdoorsmen, but the 15th Wing Safety Office cautions new arrivals to be aware of the risks that may be associated with outdoor activities.
"I would advise folks just arriving here to think about all the high risk things they may want to do while on island, list everything on a high-risk activity sheet and begin receiving all the necessary and available training for those activities," said Staff Sgt. Brian Miles, 15th Wing Safety Office ground safety NCO in charge.
Miles said the biggest hazard in Hawaii is often the most overlooked--the beach.
"The ocean isn't a controlled body of water like a swimming pool," he said. "There are all sorts of hazards associated with the ocean and the current is the most taken for granted of them all. It doesn't take much to get pulled out to sea, and regardless of whether you are a novice swimmer or a professional, suddenly being carried out to sea could be fatal."
In fact, Miles advises non-swimmers to stick to building sand castles and other land-based activities versus frolicking in the ocean.
"If you know you can't swim, stay on the sand," he said. "It is quite possible to just stay in the water near the shore or only venture out to your knees, but you never know what may happen and it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment and drift out further than you are comfortable with or your swimming skills can handle, and then you have a potentially bad situation."
Staff Sgt. Travis McManus, 15th WG Safety, said the best defense against strong currents is learning how to spot them and avoid them. However, McManus listed the following as helpful tips for surviving rip currents:
·Don't fight the current - Conserve energy, keep calm, float, breathe, don't panic, and wave for help
·Swim out of the current, then to shore - Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline.
·When out of the current, swim at an angle, away from the current, towards shore.
·If you can't escape, float or tread water - You can easily float in the current, there is no undertow.
·If you need help, call or wave for assistance.
In addition to strong currents, McManus names surfing as another hazard beach goers should be aware of.
"As easy as surfing may look watching other people do it, it is actually hard to do," he said. "People have accidents due to lack of knowledge or simply not knowing what they are doing at all. It's very strongly advised to find someone experienced to provide lessons and monitor you as you learn."
And although arctic freezes aren't exactly a weather concern in Hawaii, the rainy season, Hawaii's version of a winter, does bring its own set of challenges.
"Stay up to date on the weather at all times," said Miles. "It changes here almost minute to minute and depends on which side of the island you are on. Always plan around the weather of the moment what you thought it was going to be."
And don't forget the sunblock.
"Yes, being in Hawaii we get to enjoy something few other people get to and that's summer weather year around," he said. "However, even though it's overcast it would be wise to apply sun block. Hawaii tends to switch back and forth between overcast and sunny constantly so it's better to prepared than be sorry later."
Though the warm temperatures make it easy for JBPH-H Airmen to enjoy all the outdoor activities Hawaii has to offer , Miles suggests using a little planning and a lot of operational risk management to make sure their tour here is enjoyable--but safe.
"Be heavily engaged in the decisions you make while at the beach because a lot of people don't think about these things until they are happening and then it is unfortunately too late," he said. "Be forward thinking and take your personal safety seriously no matter where you are."
For more information on beach safety or up to date conditions at the beaches in Hawaii visit: http://oceansafety.ancl.hawaii.edu/v/2.0/?cat=safety