San Jose Senior Squadron 80
Safety Shorts for February 97

This collection of safety briefings is intended to provide a selection of safety related topics suitable for review at the beginning of each squadron meeting. I have tried to keep things entertaining as well as informative. Please select a topic from the list, review it at the beginning of the squadron meeting and initial that it has been discussed. The completed sheet will be filed along with the quarterly safety report at group.

Thanks

1. Did you buy your child an air gun for Christmas ? Air guns today are much more powerful than the BB guns of yesteryear. How powerful ? One model shoots a .22-caliber pellet at 1035 feet per second and delivers 30 foot- pounds of energy. Compare this with a .22-caliber long rifle bullet which flies at 1138 feet per second and delivers 116 foot pounds of energy. These air guns can kill small game out to 50 yards. Parents need to impress upon their children that these guns are not toys and deserve the same respect and cautions used with other weapons.

   Source CAP Safety Newsletter, December 96

2. C-182 Fuel Exhaustion. A CAP C-182 returning from a CD transport mission ran out of fuel, did a forced landing, and was totally destroyed. It seems the pilot checked his fuel with a dipstick prior to the last leg. A total of 19 gallons was indicated on the dipstick for a 45 minute flight. Bottom line on this one is that we shouldn't be cutting it this close.

   Source CAP Safety Newsletter, November 96

3. Airbag Safety. Because of today's airbags and lower seating in cars, the american automobile association recommends drivers use a lower steering wheel hold and sit further back for proper control and safety. In the past, drivers were advised to use a 10 and 2 o'clock steering wheel hold to maintain control of their vehicle, especially in emergency steering situations. Because of the behavior of airbags upon inflation, the association recommends using 9 and 3 o'clock positions. This lower hold reduces the likelihood of the driver's hands being forced off the wheel into his or her face by the deploying airbag. Keeping your hands on the wheel after the bag deflates will improve your chances of avoiding a second or third crash.

   Source CAP Safety Newsletter, December 96