Boating Tubing Water Skiing Article

I'm CMSgt. Robert Ryan, the 33rd Logistics Support Squadron Chief of Operations at Eglin AFB, Fla. Last year, I approached the 2001 "101 Critical Days of Summer" with every intention of having a safe and happy summer with my family. Those plans turned sour, just one day after the wing's summer-safety-kick-off campaign.

We spent some time testing out the motor, checking idle speed, acceleration, different speeds and trim and then stopped for lunch. After lunch we ventured out across the bay to Crab Island and then back. Satisfied everything was in good order we decided to have some fun and broke out the toys. After several tubing runs the kids wanted to take a few turns on the kneeboard.

As I was pulling my daughter on the kneeboard, she attempted a 360 spin and fell off. I turned the boat around and returned to her. As I approached, I put the boat in reverse to slow and stop the boat, then shifted it into neutral, and then went to the side of the boat to asked her if she wanted to go again or let someone else ride.

Colleen said she wanted to get back in the boat. This is where it gets ugly. I hadn't shut the motor off when I went over to talk to her. I walked to the back of the boat to help her get in. That's when my complacency took its toll. Not only had I not shut off the motor, the prop had not disengaged. You probably now know where this is going.

Colleen came around the backside of the boat to get in and one of the straps on her life jacket got caught in the boat prop. My daughter was pulled under the water, and before I could shut off the motor, I heard the prop hit her twice. At this point, I truly thought I was going to recover a lifeless body.

I killed the engine and jumped in the water. The first struggle was to at least get her above the water so she could breathe. Then to get her life jacket and suit unhooked off the prop. Once that was done and I got her back in the boat, I saw the damage the prop had done. Her leg was severely cut and her hip had a good-size chunk of flesh hanging by the skin. The injuries were just as bad as anything I'd ever seen in the self-aid buddy care classes we all take.

I used some towels to cover the wounds and had her two friends apply pressure. I was so shook up I tried to use my cell phone to call for help but no luck. So I started the boat and went back to the dock as fast as we could. There was a wild life officer there that called for an ambulance. And fortunately for my daughter, there was a doctor at the dock taking a boating safety class who immediately took charge and administered first aid.

My daughter received more than 70 stitches in her leg and 13 on her hip. Both injuries left noticeable physical scars, just what every 15-year-old high school girl needs.

For my complacency, I received a $ fine and a mental scar I will have for the rest of my life. I'm now included in the boating accident statistics for 2001. At the hospital, I watched the officer fill out and mark the report he was making.

Preprinted on the form, there was a check box for the accident category for exactly what happened. As a matter of fact, there were categories for everything else the instructors covered in the boating safety course I had taken the year before. All I could think of was this was my fault and I heard that instructor saying and then repeating: Never enter or exit the boat with the motor running. If I had only taken 10 more seconds and shut the motor off, this would have never happened.

It's easy to become complacent on things we do every day. As a chief I can't count the number of safety briefings I've given. This was no different than what we tell our people out on the flightline every day at roll call. Use technical orders, obey the warnings, cautions, and notes; and follow established safety practices. I would give anything to have done that this day. The one time you're not paying attention, not thinking about what you're doing, is when it is going to hit. I'm reminded of that every time I see my daughter. Worst of all someone else paid for my mistake!!