Safety Tips for an enjoyable AmericaFest

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  With tens of thousands of people expected to visit the flightline for America
Fest 2008, Kadena officials are urging attendees to take steps to prevent mishaps and have an enjoyable day. 

As a precaution, medical personnel will be on hand both days to ensure a quick response should any injuries or medical emergencies occur. They will be identifiable by the red crosses they wear on their sleeves and red cross placards on their golf carts.
If visitors require medical attention, there is a Medical Aid Station located at the event area staffed with clinicians and volunteer translators to treat minor medical issues. 

"The most important thing to watch out for is heat-related injuries," said Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl Gordon, 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron superintendent. "July on Okinawa is a dangerous combination of heat and humidity." 

The most common heat-related injuries here are heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke, Sergeant Gordon said. 

Dehydration can lead to serious heat-related injuries. Visitors should drink plenty of water throughout the day and remember that if they get thirsty, then dehydration has already begun to set in. 

Visitors should also be on the lookout for dizziness, weakness, disorientation, headaches, nausea, low body temperature, pale or moist skin, excessive sweating, dilated pupils, weak pulse, and fainting spells. These are all indicators of heat exhaustion. 

"Heat cramps target the legs and abdomen," said Sergeant Gordon. "You may also experience spasms and heavy sweating." 

Heat stroke can be deadly; its indicators include dizziness, confusion, headaches, rapid pulse, hot dry skin, and a high core temperature. High temperature as a result of heat stroke can lead to vascular collapse, coma and even death so all attendees should take these symptoms seriously and seek medical attention. 

"Regardless of the type of heat injury, the common theme for treatment is initially cool water and shade," said Sergeant Gordon. "Be on the lookout for medical golf cart teams and medical roamers. Those personnel can help get a heat victim to the Medical Aid Station. From there, personnel will decide whether transport to a medical facility is necessary." 

If transportion is needed, SOFA-status personnel will be driven to the U.S. Naval Hospital at Camp Lester and Japanese visitors will be taken to a nearby Japanese medical facility. 

Those who will be drinking alcohol should remember to drink responsibly and to appoint a designated driver, according to Tech. Sgt. Mark Hazelbaker, 18th Wing Ground Safety office. 

Safety officials expect large crowds and caution participants not to be in a hurry while getting from point one place to another. There will be a lot of vendor booths with wiring and cables running along the ground for lights, generators, and other equipment and attendees should be mindful of what is around them. 

Attendees are encouraged to pay close attention to their children to ensure they don't become separated. If a child is separated from the group, visitors should proceed to the nearest information booth where the proper authorities will be contacted. 

The above safety tips should allow all AmericaFest 2008 attendees to have a safe and enjoyable day at Kadena Air Base.