Big toys big risks

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Kyle Johnson | Whenever operating an all-terrain-vehicle, whether it has sleds or wheels, always remember to wear the appropriate safety equipment. The Outdoor Recreation Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson offers a variety of classes on vehicular safety when exploring the great Alaska outdoors. (Photo by Senior Airman Kyle Johnson)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

12.08.2016

Story by Airman 1st Class Kyle Johnson 

Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson   

I was feeling cocky so I thumbed the throttle of my grandfather’s 600cc all-terrain-vehicle and gripped the gas tank with my knees as the wind picked up around me.

My buddy and I had miles of dried-up lakebed to ourselves, although he was struggling to keep up in a side-by-side – one of the earlier models, when they were more utility than sport. It was a great to be 16 and fearless.

Though the dried-up lakes were a paradise for dirtbike and ATV fanatics like my family, they were a nightmare for Florida’s retired community, as they watched their once-great lakes recede nearly as quickly as the value of their lakefront property.

In a desperate attempt to draw more water up to their yards, some grew into the habit of digging ditches down from their property out to what was left of the ponds – often reinforcing the ditches with old metal piping.

I didn’t see the ditch nearly quick enough.

Regardless of whether you’re riding a motorcycle, ATV, snowmachine or boat, anytime you are exposing your body to high speeds with little to no protection, safety absolutely must be your top priority.

There’s a reason why motorcyclists ride in groups when they can, why professionals wear helmets, and why you should too.

There’s nothing cool about ruining your life for a rush.

I slammed into the ditch at about 50 miles per hour and became stationary at a frighteningly sudden rate. My body attempted to – and eventually succeeded in – continuing its forward momentum over the handlebars, but not before one grip impaled my right thigh hard enough to bend the metal and split my leg open with a 9-inch gash.

I then did my best impression of Superman as I cleared the handlebars and landed, shattering my wrist in multiple places – along with the veneer of confidence that I thought would protect me from harm.

I should have known better; my family has always been adamant motorsport enthusiasts and have learned their fair share of lessons from it.

I lost my aunt before I ever got to know her; she was hit by a drunk driver as she pulled her motorcycle off a trailer on the side of the road. She was 16. She was doing everything right, but because someone wasn’t, she paid the price.

I lost my uncle when he was hit on his motorcycle at an intersection.

One of my mentors got sideswiped by a car shortly I after graduated high school. He lost his leg.

A close friend of mine rear-ended a vehicle on his sports bike, now he has no function in one of his arms. It’ll always be there, limp.

After the doctors sewed me up after I opened my leg like a fillet of beef in the middle of nowhere, they told me I barely missed my femoral artery. I was literally an inch away from death. I was 16 just like my aunt.

You may know exactly what you’re doing, but you never know when a new risk can be introduced into your environment, whether it be a ditch dug by a desperate homeowner or another driver on the road who’s not paying attention to their surroundings. So always make sure you give yourself the best chances you can.

There’s nothing cool about ignoring safety.

So this winter, when you’re out there enjoying Alaska’s winter and all the wonderful thrills it brings to snow machiners, snowboarders and skiers, make sure you know the risks.

Contact your safety representative before engaging in a high-risk activity, and make sure you know what could go wrong before you chase a thrill.

• Date Taken: 12.08.2016
• Date Posted: 12.12.2016 12:59
• Story ID: 217347
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US