01/12/2007

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) Orlando Ramos, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific

CORONADO, Calif (NNS) -- Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL-45) hosted a presentation at Naval Air Station North Island Jan. 11 to teach Sailors how to stay safe on the roadways.

Firefighter paramedics from the Stay Alive From Education (S.A.F.E) program presented safety training, through video and graphic photos, as well as with a display using a volunteer from the crowd providing Sailors a real life look at the consequences of irresponsible actions.

“I started this program in 1988 to help people” said Vince Easevoli. “I was tired of responding to accidents where people were severely injured or killed due to things I thought were easily preventable.”

Easevoli and his partner Joseph McCluan used actual medical equipment and demonstrations involving audience members to bring home their message of safety. Using a Sailor from the audience, they demonstrated step by step how to treat a car accident victim who neglected wearing a seatbelt and explained why their injuries would have been less severe if the victim would have worn a seatbelt.

“They picked up on all the excuses you would make to drink and drive or reasons why you wouldn’t wear your seatbelt," said Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class (AW) Rene Tagudin from HSL-45. "...and gave examples showing how wrong your logic is, and helped you see the amount of danger you were putting yourself in.”

The program has reached out to the military, and college and high school students across the country, and is dedicated to helping young people be “street smart” when it comes to drinking and driving, illegal drug use and seat belts.

“I had no idea that one person sitting in the backseat not wearing a seatbelt could kill everyone else in the car who was wearing one,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class David Sincere of HSL-45. “You just don’t think about those things. Now I’ll be sure to have everyone in my car no matter where they’re sitting buckle-up."