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Commentary: Survive the forty critical nights of winter

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Ronald N. Kichton
  • 87th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  From Thanksgiving eve through the end of the New Years Day-weekend there will be 40 nights of which almost half will be followed by a non-working day for most. Many of these nights will involve holiday gatherings, and other opportunities for socializing. This period should be considered critical nights.

The possibility of driving under the influence is statistically increased above all the other times of the year. These 40 nights should be focused on to prevent accidents and incidents, just like the 101 critical days of summer. We all want to make it through those 40 nights without any episodes. It can happen this and every year, if we work as a team.

Even though it may not be in the headlines every day, driving under the influence of alcohol continues to be a problem. Whatever acronym it may take - DUI, DWI, DAI, DWDI - all refer to drinking a certain amount of alcohol and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle. Awareness is the first step to prevention, which is the primary intent of this article. Trends for specific installations, or units, or other statistics are not the priority here. Just one DUI is one too many. We are all intelligent and need to be prepared so none of our people get caught in such a predicament. The bottom line has been and remains that a DUI means significant career problems and huge expenses. There is a tremendous difference between making a mistake and breaking the law.

This article is intended to have you stop and reflect. Think of the potential harm to your family, yourself and others. Like most things, preventing DUIs is a team effort. From your supervisor, your coworkers, and leaders at all levels, there are numerous support initiatives, safety briefings and ride home programs. But you are the primary means of prevention. Whether you are brand new to the service or have invested years of time and effort into getting to where you are today, do not jeopardize your future for the sake of a minimal taxi fee or the discomfort of calling someone for a ride. Drinking alcohol is a personal decision everyone over the age of 21 has a right to make; but driving after drinking ultimately reflects poor decision-making. The paradox is that the first thing alcohol does is impair decision making. Work within your sections to establish or reinforce preventive measure. There will be quick actions in response to inappropriate behavior and for breaking of the law.

Know your responsibilities and personal limitations. Beers (12 ounce size), glasses of wine (8 ounce glass), shots (1 ounce), or mixed drinks (singles, not doubles) all contain approximately equal amounts of alcohol. It can take up to three hours for the body to initially absorb the alcohol. This means blood alcohol could actually be rising when you may think it is dropping. It takes about an hour for the average-sized body to metabolize one beer/wine/shot/mixed drink. The definition is 0.08 percent Blood Alcohol Content results in DUI in most states. The most responsible approach is to appoint a designated driver, walk, or make other arrangements to get home after drinking alcohol. The chancy approach of gaming alcohol quantity is not the answer.

What types of preventive programs work best? Those that inform individuals of the facts; impose consequences for irresponsible behavior; and plan for alternatives to driving after drinking. Use a taxi or the wingman card/recall roster and call for a "non-attribution" ride home. Your leaders have probably said several times that they are available to provide rides. If hosting at your home, make arrangements for designated drivers, have a taxi service number readily available for your guests or let them crash at your house. Be a responsible host. The Air Culture of Responsible Choices, The Air Force program that combats drinking and driving, uses the phrase 0-0-1-3. It calls for zero drinks under 21 years of age, zero DUIs, one drink per hour and three drinks maximum per gathering. This is an excellent plan but every plan needs a back-up.

Lastly, always remember to buckle up before driving. I still remember the film they used to make us watch in high school depicting horrible vehicle accidents. At the end of the video, the patrolman said, "In over 20 years, I've never unbuckled a dead person."

Most importantly, have a safe and joyful holiday season. Working together during the 40 critical night of winter will be followed by a happy New Year, where we ALL report for duty with a promising future.