Safety & Responsibility
On Safety & Responsibility
Be safe. Be responsible.
Although many of the images you see on this site may be construed as
promoting drinking or other behaviors that are potential safety and
health hazards, I want to set one thing straight. This is where I get
on my soap box. And I practice what I preach. I'm not setting myself up as any kind of role model (I drink, smoke, cuss... and have been known to do other things....); but I'm making the statement I am not a hypocrite of any sort. I tell it like it is, like I see it, like I mean it. I don't talk a lot or showboat... but when I do talk, I make sure I know what I'm talking about and you better sure as hell listen....
Do not drink and drive. Do not drink and ride. Do not drink and
drive. Do not drink and ride. Do not drink and drive. Do not drink
and ride. Do not drink and drive. Do not drink and ride. Do not drink
and drive. Do not drink and ride. Do not drink and drive. Do not
drink and ride. Do not drink and drive. Do not drink and ride. Do not
drink and drive. Do not drink and ride. Clear enough?
Any photos here where you see me drinking, I'm either walking,
taking a cab, or with a designated driver, or camping out right
there; unless I'm only drinking one (my max before driving or riding in daylight hours is 2).
Remember, it is not only your own life at risk: what about that innocent family out there, travelling with kids?
One can drink, even drink like a fish; but it can be done responsibly.
I'm a risk taker, adrenaline junkie; I thrive on danger and such (which
I don't get much any more). In my past, before my present knowledge and
wisdom, I did many stupid things and put myself into some crazy
situations. I'm lucky to have all five limbs and be alive. I used to
have one hell of a reputation for being the quiet-but-crazy-insane-fun-guy.
But even back in the day, I never drank and rode... though I was dumb
enough to drink and drive.... until my EMS career (by book learning AND
experience) taught me better.
Over years as a paramedic, I worked many mva's (motor vehicle
accidents). I only worked a FEW mva's after dark that did not involve
alcohol. After 9:00 pm at least 65% of the drivers have BAC (blood
alcohol content)... a figure I heard at a lecture and not verified by me
to the reference; but by my experience I believe it. Also, by my
experience, it is too much a coincidence that only three of the after
dark crashes I've worked did not involve alcohol. It is interesting
that the other 35% of the drivers rarely have accidents at
night.
I firmly believe in seat belts and helmets, as well. I've only
unbuckled 3 dead people in my past years on the ambulance. They were
all in one 2-car high velocity head on collision. I saw plenty of people that would have had minor injuries, or at least had a chance to survive, if they were wearing seat belts or helmets. I'm not making any
statements on my stance on laws regarding these safety devices. I'm
just saying they work. I'm saying everyone should wear them. I'm not
saying whether everyone should legally be required to wear them. I can
see both sides of the fence on that one and my jury is out on
it.
I still take risks, but I am not stupid about it. There IS a
difference. I sometimes put myself in harm's way, but that tends
to be a point of honor, a requirement of morals and ethics.
Ride on. Be safe. Be responsible. Do the right thing.
kev
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