MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- The Stay Alive From Education program sponsored a class centered on vehicle safety for students with the Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School Nov. 19, 2013, at the base theater.
As Marines filled the theater, public service announcements about driving under the influence or without a seat belt played on the screen, quickly depicting the tone of the brief to those present.
“We wanted to give information to the Marines about the dangers of drinking and driving, distractive driving and negligence of seat belt wearing,” said Vincent Easevoli, firefighter paramedic, SAFE program.
Marines saw real photos of traumas incurred in automobile accidents, leaving in their minds a sense of reality to the dangers of negligent driving. The victims in the photos all had one of two things in common: lack of seat belts, or intoxication behind the wheel.
It was also stressed that death and injury to others on the road is preventable so long as proper safety measures are practiced. These measures include wearing a seat belt, keeping attention on the road and not on cell phones, and having a designated driver if the outing involves alcohol.
“Poor choices impact not just the individual, but co-workers and family members,” Easevoli said.
Easevoli and Oscar Duran, firefighter and paramedic, SAFE program, then used Pfc. Trevor Mixon, student, MCCES, as a simulated victim undergoing treatment after suffering a collision resulting from driving under the influence.
The paramedics described the extreme process in great detail, advising the Marines of the exact injuries Mixon could suffer in a crash, such as collapsed lungs, broken neck, and injured spinal cord.
The simulated ordeal left the Marines in shock with the knowledge that such a small but poor choice could have disastrous consequences.
“I’ve lost friends to vehicle accidents in the past,” said Pvt. Joshua Jacobo-Garcia, student, Company B, MCCES. “Marines should always have a plan, whether it is a designated driver or a taxi cab.”
After the class, Col. Andrew Murray, director, MCCES, addressed the Marines.
“It’s a great opportunity to have these two gentlemen talk to us about their experiences, so that you can learn from them instead of finding out yourself,” Murray said.
As the year moves into the holiday season, Marines are looking forward to visiting loved ones, and the lessons learned from this class may prove to save lives during leave and liberty.
“You are all significant and part of the team,” Murray said. “After the holidays, I want to be able to fill this theater again with all of you.”
For more information on vehicle safety, visit www.safeprogram.com