GPS - Not just for navigation

  • Published
  • By Capt William-Joseph Mojica
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. --  With seemingly never ending winters here in Minn., the summer months present eager times for everyone to enjoy the outdoors and have some fun. Great weather with warm temperatures and longer lasting daylight hours cause for people to partake in various outdoor festivities during the fantastic mid-western summers.

Although summertime can be an enjoyable time to relax and recharge with family and friends, these enjoyable summertime activities do not come without hazards. In some cases, what was thought to be risk-free fun turns into a not so enjoyable injury or accident. In fact, in recent years, exciting and fun activities like swimming, rock climbing, mountain biking and canoeing have needlessly claimed Airmen’s lives.

Using proper risk management tools can mean the difference between having a good or bad time. This is one of the reasons why the Air Force and the 934th Airlift Wing are renovating their safety campaign with Check 3 GPS.

“As military members and DoD civilians, we continually incorporate risk management and mitigation techniques while on-duty to ensure safe operations,” said Maj. Denny Mishler, 934th Airlift Wing chief of safety. “It is equally as important for us to use these valuable tools while enjoying time spent with family and friends off-duty. Using Check 3 GPS as a real-time off-duty risk assessment tool can help us identify and mitigate potential hazards and keep everyone safe.”

Check 3 GPS is a new and easier way to use off-duty risk management no matter what activity you do. Regardless of rank, Check 3 is intended to prevent problems before they arise.

Check 3 is a quick and easy method to assess any activity or event for possible hazards and allow mitigation when required. Utilizing the acronym GPS, the Check 3 method has three general areas to check prior to an activity: Gear, Plan and Skills.

Using this method allows for a quick review of your activity to highlight any issues or hazards before-hand. For instance, “G” or Gear, may encompass details such as personal protective equipment, your vehicle, or availability of drinking water. “P” or Plan, may encompass the timeline, weather, sequence of events, and/or emergency contact information amongst other things. "S” or Skills, may include being properly rested for the activity you are going to engage in, or perhaps questioning your overall experience level with the activity. If you see an issue or hazard in any of the areas, then check if you can adjust an area to mitigate the hazard, especially the plan.

This framework allows anyone, regardless of experience or knowledge, to have a quick mental method to begin assessing all their activities. As a person becomes more experienced and knowledgeable in any activity, their “Check 3” will also become more effective.

As you step out to have some fun this summer, remember to take the time to re-establish safety habits and make the choice to assess and reduce risk for a memorable summer of fun.

For more information regarding Check 3, please visit www.check3gps.com.