NAS Jax hosts Recreational Safety Rodeo

The rodeo is an opportunity to gather the latest safety information related to motorcycling, ATVs, dirt bikes, boating, personal watercraft, Scuba, bicycling and other recreational venues.

Representatives from Purcell's Motorcycle and Marine World, A&M Motorcycle Safety Course, Jax Biker Gear were available to entertain and showcase the newest safety information related to recreation.

The vendors supplied a wide array of prizes that were raffled out as door prizes and NAS Jax Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department (MWR) had plenty of food and drinks available for hungry visitors.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office motorcycles are showcased at the NAS Jax Safety Rodeo.

The Jesup, Ga. Police Department demonstrated their rollover simulator using three dummies to show people what could happen if they didn't wear a seatbelt during an accident.

NAS Jacksonville Executive Officer

Capt. Chuck Tamblyn commented on the rollover simulator saying, "There's been several fatalities in the past week with SUV's rolling over, if only the drivers would have been belted in they may have lived. Hopefully, the rollover simulator will convince you to wear your seatbelts."

A representative from the police department in Jesup, Ga., spoke about motorcycle safety during the rodeo. "Recently there has been an increase in motorcycle crashes with serious injuries. Fatalities are really on the increase and we are trying to do something positive about it."

The department also provided a fatal vision obstacle course to let drivers try and drive a vehicle while under the simulated influence of alcohol by wearing sight inhibiting goggles.

The no pass zone truck was also on hand and offered visitors the opportunity to sit in the driver seat of a big rig truck to visualize actual "blind spots." The No Zone program is designed to inform drivers of a motorcycle or passenger car of what a truck driver is unable to see when looking through the side mirrors. The programs motto is "Don't Hang in the No Zone."

Some other events at the rodeo were riding demonstrations from the award-winning Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Motorcycle Drill Team, which included various maneuvering and riding techniques.

The NAS Jax Fire Department also performed an exciting car rescue demonstration in a gutted out St. John's County Sheriff's Department patrol car.

AM2(AW) Wayne Miller from VP-30 came out to the rodeo in hopes of learning something new and interesting. "I'm really excited with the displays of new equipment. I've seen a lot of new information and hopefully I can use what I learn here today to help me be more aware so I won't do something unconsciously."

Water Safety was also included in the rodeo. The Jax Navy Yacht Club and Mulberry Cove Marina showed a vibrant display of water activities for both sailing and boating safety while Melissa Cavaco with the Mayport Dive Club offered some valuable information on painful jellyfish stings. "If you're ever stung by a jellyfish, the sting can be painful but can be neutralized with vinegar as well as other over the counter products the dive club has available," explained Cavaco. The dive club offers classes on scuba diving as well as dive trips.

Water safety can go further than just boating and diving according to Fish and Wildlife conservationist Maynard "Snakeman" Cox. As an avid wildlife enthusiast Cox informed the audience about wildlife dangers. "The more people know about their environment inside and outside this base the safer their going to be. If they don't bother to learn and see what is offered they may lose out on some beneficial information that might have proven to save their life," he said.

MWR would like to thank the following sponsors for their contribution and making the safety rodeo a huge success: VyStar Credit Union, Purcell's Motorcycle and Marine World, A&M Motorcycle Safety Course, Jax Biker Gear, Open Road Bicycles and Adamec Harley Davidson.

Neither MWR, nor the U.S. Navy or any other part of the federal government officially endorses any company, sponsor or its products or services.