Reality check for Dyess Airmen Published Oct. 8, 2013 By Senior Airman Shannon Hall 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- In a crowded theater hall they witnessed cars obliterated, windows shattered, bodies lying limp and cold, streets stained a dark red all while lives are changed forever. Dyess Airmen were afforded the opportunity to learn from these real life-changing moments Sept. 18, during a unique briefing that brought forth a sobering reality check. Joe McCluan and Scott Neusch, both firefighters and paramedics from Orlando, Fla., briefed and showed Airmen real-life experiences that take place in car accidents involving drunk drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts through a program called Stay Alive from Education, better known as S.A.F.E. "We want to prevent and reduce DUI fatalities," Neusch said. "Not to mention increase seatbelt use and reduce poor driving practices." During the briefing, graphic photos from motor vehicle accidents were shown during a multi-media presentation, allowed Airmen to see what could happen when the wrong decision is made. "It was an eye opening experience," said Senior Airman Mikel Fair, 7th Comptroller Squadron financial analyst. "The silence in the crowd while the pictures were being displayed showed that the message was definitely resonating with people." McCluan and Neusch also conducted a hands-on portion of the presentation, showcasing what takes place when first responders arrive on scene. Some of these steps include: · assessing the situation and injuries · checking all vitals · removing the person(s) from the vehicle · applying a neck brace and putting them on a stretcher "It is sad to see a young life ended by a simple poor choice," McCluan said. "I would rather give this presentation a thousand times, than arrive to a call like this." As part of the program, McCluan and Neusch travel all over the world giving this briefing at high schools, colleges, military bases and professional sports teams, hoping to encourage good decision making when getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. "This is one of the best briefings I've actually ever attended," Fair added. "The harsh reality of what you learn, and see, makes you rethink every decision you've ever made up until that point. It's just not worth my life or anyone else's." For more information on the S.A.F.E program, visit their website at www.safeprogram.com.