Scott stays 'Street Smart' Published May 25, 2006 By 2d Lt Karoline Scott 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Coinciding with the start of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, members of Stay Alive From Education briefed members of Team Scott at the Base Theater May 16, 17 and 18. The presentation, entitled “Street Smart,” was aimed at reinforcing safe driving decisions including the importance of wearing seatbelts, avoiding drunk driving and more. The group has been spreading their safety message to Air Force members at bases as far away as Japan and Guam. Scott’s two SAFE presenters, Scott Neusch and Jereme Cadorette, are both firefighters and paramedics from Orlando, Fla., and have been involved in the SAFE program for years. “Working as firefighters and paramedics, we’ve seen a lot of traumatic car accidents - many of which have been entirely preventable,” said Mr. Neusch. “I’ve become passionate about spreading the word about the senseless accidents I’ve seen. I want to show people that by simply making wise choices, you can save your life.” The presentation was a combination of discussion, graphic automobile accident photographs and roleplay with members of the audience. “Initially, we use graphic pictures to grab the audience’s attention and make them think.” said Mr. Cadorette. “We intend to show the reality of things - the dangers of careless driving decisions. A lot of people think the photographs we show are fake or computerdoctored. Unfortunately, they’re not. This is really what happened to these folks. In all of the photos, poor decisions were made and seatbelts weren’t worn and drugs or alcohol were involved.” In addition to the photographs, the presenters informed the audience of some car accident statistics. “If you’re not wearing your seatbelt, you become vulnerable to being ejected from a vehicle. If you are ejected from a vehicle, you are 25 percent more likely to die,” said Mr. Neusch. “Also, more that 50 percent of spinal cord injuries occur as a result of car accidents - in most of those incidences, people were not wearing seatbelts and were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.” To get the audience involved, a volunteer was asked to come on stage and take part in a mock-trauma response - medical stretcher included. The presenters then described in detail what occurs when paramedics respond to a person severely wounded in an accident. “If you are lucky enough to survive a car accident not wearing a seatbelt, it often takes several painful surgeries and months in the hospital just to keep you alive,” said Mr. Cadorette. “Even then, many of these victims are permanently paralyzed.” The presenters reminded the audience that they were not there to scare anyone, but to encourage them to make wise decisions. “Ultimately, it’s up to each of you to make a smart choice,” said Mr. Neusch. “We’ve heard every excuse in the book for not wearing a seatbelt from ‘it’ll wrinkle my clothes’ to ‘it’s uncomfortable’ to ‘it’s only a short drive’ and many more. The simple truth is that seatbelts save lives, but only if you buckle them every time you’re in a car. Don’t be the person who acts irresponsibly and ends up paying with your life.” Reactions were powerful. Mary Musgrave of 375th Airlift Wing Safety helped organize the event and said, “I’ve been working in safety for several years, and the SAFE presentation is by far the best presentation of its kind I’ve seen.” Tech. Sgt. Jamie McCarrison, Base Multimedia non-commissioned officer in charge of graphics, said, “The presentation was very enlightening and powerful - it really made me think.” For the presenters, they aimed to leave an impression. “For me, if I can make a difference in the life of just one person, then all of this work is well worth it,” said Mr. Neusch.