Aug 2011 CAP Safety Meeting

Lt Col Larry BrockshusMN Wing/SE

Overview

• Maneuvering flight• Eye protection• Heat injuries• Motorcycle safety• Lightning

The Do's and Don'ts of Maneuvering Flight

• Nearly one-third of all fatal accidents occur during maneuvering flight, in part because maneuvering at low altitude limits the amount of time a pilot has to recover. Maneuvering flight is basically any type of flying performed close to the ground -- even the traffic pattern is considered maneuvering!

• Want to know more? Go to the Courses page on www.FAASafety.gov and look for Course ALC-34, Maneuvering: Approach and Landing

The Do's of Maneuvering Flight

• Do remember that the majority of fatal stall/spin accidents occur at low altitudes, because the closer you are to the ground the less time you will have for a successful recovery. • Do practice stalls or approaches to stalls at a safe altitude. If you’re rusty take a CFI with you. • Do fly at a safe altitude so that you won’t be surprised by obstacles that may require abrupt maneuvers to avoid. • Do remember that turns and sudden climbs increase the wing loading which will increase the stall speed, sometimes dramatically.

The Don'ts of Maneuvering Flight

• Don’t explore the flight envelope close to the ground. • Don’t exceed 30 degrees of bank in the traffic pattern.

• Don’t buzz or otherwise show off with an aircraft. Not only are you putting yourself at risk, but your pilot certificate too. The FAA gets lots of complaints that include cell phone pictures and videos. • Don’t attempt maneuvers for which you have not been trained. Get an Instructor on board the first time!

Eye ProtectionGotta wear shades

• 40% of eye injuries happen at home• Each year 125,000 eye injuries result from

accidents with household chemicals• 90% of eye injuries can be prevented by

wearing appropriate eye protection

If your eye has been cut or punctured

• Do gently place a shield over the eye• Do not rinse with water• Do not remove the object stuck in the eye• Do not rub the eye• Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen• See a physician immediately

A particle or foreign material in your eye

• Do not rub the eye• Left upper eyelid over the lashes of lower lid• Blink several times and allow tears to flush out

the particle• If the particle remain keep your eye closed

and seek medical attention

A chemical burn to the eye

• Immediate flush the eye with plenty of clean water

• Seek emergency medical treatment

A blow to the eye• Apply cold compress to reduce pain and

swelling• Do not apply any pressure• If a black eye or visual disturbance occurs,

immediately contact your eye doctor• Even light blows can cause a significant eye

injury

Sand in the eye

• Use eye wash to flush the eye out• Do not rub the eye• If debris does not come out, lightly bandage

the eye and see the eye doctor.

SizzlingHeat illness

• Heat can be a silent killer• Do you know the difference between:– heat cramps– heat exhaustion– heatstroke

Heat cramps

• Symptoms– Painful muscle cramps

and spasms– Heavy sweating

• Treatment– Apply firm pressure on

cramping muscle or gently massage

– Give sips of water– If nausea occurs,

discontinue water intake

Heat exhaustion

• Symptoms– Heavy sweating,

weakness, cool skin, pale and clammy

– Weak pulse– Normal temperature

possible– Possible muscle

cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea and vomiting

• Treatment– Move individual out of the

sun, lay him or her down and loosen clothing

– Apply cool, wet cloths– Fan or move individual to air-

conditioned room– Give sips of water. If nausea

occurs, discontinue– If vomiting continues, seek

medical attention

Heatstrokesevere medical emergency

• Symptoms– Altered mental state– Possible throbbing

headache, confusion, nausea and dizziness

– High body temperature– Rapid and strong pulse– Possible unconsciousness– Skin may be hot and dry

or patient may be sweating

• Treatment– Summon emergency

medical assistance – Move to a cooler, air-

conditioned environment– Reduced body temperature

with water mist– Use air conditioners, or

use fans if heat index is below the 90s

– Remove clothing– Do not give fluids

Sizzling quiz 1

• Q: Using an electric fan will prevent heat related illness?

• A: Maybe– Skin must be polished for a fan to be

effective– In temperatures over 100° moving hot

air over the body can add heat to the body

Sizzling quiz 2

• Q: You should avoid exercise during the summer months.• A: Maybe– Staying physically fit can decrease your chance of

heat related illness– Avoid exercise during the middle of the afternoon– Stay hydrated

Sizzling quiz 3

• Q: As long as you are sweating, you are not at risk for heat related illness.

• A: Maybe– Heavy sweating cools the body– Heavy sweating may be a sign of

heat exhaustion

Sizzling quiz 4

• Q: If someone exhibit signs of heat exhaustion, give them something cool to drink.

• A: Possibly– If someone has overheated, administer cool water or

sports drink.– However observe persons symptoms carefully.

Nausea and vomiting are signs of heat related illness. Do not give fluids to someone showing signs of heat stroke

Top 10 motorcycle safety tips1. Be visible2. Watch for idiots3. Follow the rules of the road4. Signal, signal, signal5. Dress for road impact6. Don’t be distracted7. Ride sober8. Watch the weather9. Know the road conditions10. Know your equipment

Motorcycle defensive driving tips

• Be especially alert at intersections. 70% of motorcycle vehicle collisions occur there.

• Check rearview mirrors before changing lanes or stopping.

• Watch road surface and traffic had to anticipate problems and road hazards.

Lightning facts

• 58 people are killed and 300 injured from lightning strikes each year in the US

• There are 25 million cloud to ground lightning strikes every year

• The Empire State building gets struck about 25 times each year

• Air near lightning can heat to about 50,000°F, five times hotter than the sun’s surface

• 1bolt can contain 100,000,000 Volts of electricity

Lightning facts• A single flash of lightning can light a 100 W light bulb for three

months• Lightning can turn seat into steam, blowing shoes and clothing off

the victim• You can be struck when the sky is clear, known as “bolts from the

blue”• If you can hear thunder you are generally within 10 miles of a

storm and within traveling distance of lightning• Lightning can branch off an object like a tree or fence and then hit

a person• Lightning to thunder in seconds, divided by 5 is the distance in

miles

Lightning safety

• Stay inside• If outside– Find shelter– Don’t be the tallest isolated object– Don’t lay flat on the ground– Find a low-lying area away from trees– Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet

and place your head between your knees– Stay away from water and metal

Stay Safe