SEA COMPASS MISSION STATEMENT

Our goal is to provide information and resources to help our Sailors, Marines and 

civilians focus their efforts on the mission. We will provide relevant data and analysis 

to help you manage risk, on or off duty. Sea Compass will do its part to keep you 

informed and be combat ready.

SEA COMPASS is published quarterly and distributed to ships, submarines, diving 

commands, shore-based commands, and DoD agencies. Sea Compass (ISSN 1550-

1434) is published by Commander, Naval Safety Center, at 375 A Street, Norfolk, 

VA 23511-4399. Periodical postage paid at Norfolk, Va. Postmaster: Send address 

changes to Commander, Naval Safety Center, ATTN: Sea Compass, 375 A Street, 

Norfolk, VA 23511-4399. 

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor-in-Chief/Media Division Head: Derek Nelson

Editor: Evelyn Odango

Webmaster: Darlene Savage

Graphics: John W. Williams

CONTACT INFORMATION

Telephone: 757-444-3520, ext. 7220 (DSN 564-3520); Fax: 757-444-6791

General email: safe-seacompass@navy.mil

Editor's email: evelyn.odango@navy.mil

Address: Commander, Naval Safety Center, ATTN: Sea Compass, 375 A Street, 

Norfolk, VA 23511-4399

AFLOAT SAFETY PROGRAMS ADVISORY BOARD

Surface Ship Division Head: LCDR Timothy Debelak

Diving and Salvage Division Head: LT Eli Ford

Submarine Division Head: LT Richard Ray

Afloat Safety Analyst/Publications Review: Steve Scudder

AFLOAT SAFETY PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE

Commander, Naval Safety Center, Code 30

375 A Street, Norfolk, VA 23511-4399

Afloat mishap line: DSN 564-1562 / 7130; Fax: DSN 564-8636

Afloat safety email: safe-afloat@navy.mil

SUBMISSIONS

Submit your story ideas and manuscript to safe-seacompass@navy.mil. Send letters 

to the editor to evelyn.odango@navy.mil or write directly to: Editor, Sea Compass, 375 

A Street, Norfolk, VA 23511-4399. Please refer to our “Writer Guidelines and Photo 

Requirements” available at http://www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/documents/media/

magazines/writer-photo_guidelines.pdf.

NOTICE TO READERS

Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Navy, 

the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government. Photos and artwork are for 

illustrative purposes only, unless otherwise noted. Reference to commercial products 

or links to non-DoD resources do not imply Department of the Navy endorsement. 

Unless otherwise stated, material in this publication may be reprinted without 

permission; please credit the magazine and author. We reserve the right to edit all 

submissions for clarity and applicability.

SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER SERVICE

MARINE CORPS: To subscribe, change address, or check on your subscription 

status, have your unit publications clerk access MCPDS. Sea Compass’s PCN is 

74000001900.

COAST GUARD: Send address changes or changes to subscription to Commandant, 

USCG, CG-113, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 2nd St., S.W., Washington, 

DC 20593.

Winter 2011-2012 / Vol. 1, No. 2

www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/

COMMANDER, NAVAL SAFETY CENTER RADM Brian C. Prindle

DEPUTY COMMANDER COL Mark W. Erb, USMC

DIRECTOR, AFLOAT SAFETY PROGRAMS CAPT Doug Holderman

DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING John Mahoney

STORIES WANTED FOR SPRING 2012 PRINT EDITION:

We want your stories for the next issue of Sea Compass.

Copy and photo deadline is Feb. 1, 2012.

NAVAL SAFETY CENTER TECHNICAL ADVISORS

LCDR Timothy Debelak

Surface Ship Division Head

timothy.j.debelak@navy.mil

LT Eli Ford

Diving and Salvage Division Head

elijah.ford@navy.mil

LT Richard Ray

Submarine Division Head

richard.d.ray1@navy.mil

Steve Scudder

Afloat Safety Analyst/Publications Review

steve.scudder1@navy.mil

SURFACE

LT Edward Alexander

Deck Analyst

edward.alexander1@navy.mil

EMCM (SW/AW) Jim Burke

Electrical Analyst

jim.burke@navy.mil

GSCS (SW) Esworth Carty

Main Propulsion/Gas Turbine Analyst

esworth.carty@navy.mil

LT Christine Davy

Damage Control Lead/Mishap Investigator

christine.davy@navy.mil

ETC (SW) Jason Mobbs

Fleet Combat Systems Analyst

jason.mobbs1@navy.mil

DCC (SW/AW) John Ralston

Damage Control Analyst

john.t.ralston@navy.mil

CWO4 Danny L. Royse

Main Propulsion/Diesel Lead

danny.royse@navy.mil

GMC (SW) Ramiro Salas

Weapons Analyst

ramiro.salas@navy.mil

SUBMARINE AND DIVING

FTC (SS) William Cahill

Submarine Deck Supervisor

william.j.cahill@navy.mil

ETC (SS) Kevin Dawson

Submarine Electrical and Mechanical Analyst

kevin.d.dawson@navy.mil

HMC (SS) Christopher Harris

Submarine Medical Analyst

christopher.l.harris@navy.mil

MMC (SS) Isaac Ingram

Weapons Analyst

isaac.ingram@navy.mil

NDC (DSW/EXW) Rebecca Jones

Diving Analyst

rebecca.a.jones@navy.mil

MMCS (SS) Arthur Sisk

Submarine Damage Control Analyst

arthur.sisk@navy.mil

EMCM (SW/AW) Frank Valdepeña

Submarine Division LCPO

frank.valdepena@navy.mil

SEA COMPASS
COVER PHOTO: Navy Diver 3rd Class John Seagraves gets ready to start his dive off the back of the dive boat. 

Seagraves was part of Naval Submarine Support Facility dive locker and was attached to the Los Angeles-class 

fast attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN 751). Colder than normal temperatures cause ice to form on the 

Thames River at Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. (John Narewski/USN)

THIS PAGE: Divers for the USS Monitor salvage operation wear heated hot water suits for cold, deepwater dives. 

(Naval Undersea Museum).

BACK COVER: Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) guide a refueling probe during 

an underway replenishment with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Washington 

Chambers (T-AKE 11). (MC3 John Grandin/USN)

What's Inside

IN THIS ISSUE

3 WRITE ALL ABOUT IT

4 VIEWPOINT

6 SC NEWS WIRE

7 SC QUIZ

9 LOOKING BACK: HIGHLIGHTS AND EVENTS

DEPARTMENTS

2 EDITOR'S CORNER

8 ORM PLAYBOOK

Know what ORM is and isn't? Learn more about the 

essentials that can help you make smart decisions. 

12 BEST PRACTICE

A seasoned race car driver shares some wise tips 

for driving in wild weather conditions.

14 OFF DUTY

Our winter safety campaign addresses the "Fatal 

Four" elements that claim lives in car wrecks.

ONLINE EDITION / WINTER 2011-2012

Access to the digital version of Sea Compass is now online. The 

digital version is a downloadable PDF. Articles may be printed 

individually by going to the "Table of Contents" button on the index 

page (right panel).

http://www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/pages/media/sea-compass/index.aspx

Send us your feedback and comments: safe-seacompass@navy.mil

COVER STORY

10 INTO THE COLD

By HMC (DSW) Dean Del Favero, Naval Safety Center

Hypothermia – know how to prevent, recognize 

and treat it. Plus: do you know if your medical 

equipment is properly maintained?

WINTER 2011-2012
EDITOR’S CORNER

Evelyn Odango

evelyn.odango@navy.mil

757-444-3520, ext. 7220

DSN 564-3520

I

t's the best time of the year to celebrate and enjoy the 

company of family and friends. It's also the time to 

reflect on goals we have managed to achieve and work 

on new ones for the coming year. Let us all make a promise 

to keep each other safe and work toward a more productive 

2012.

This edition is our first digital issue. It's short and only 

available as a downloadable PDF. Follow the "current issue" 

link on our Sea Compass home page to view the text verion. 

The afloat and sub-surface team and I hope you enjoy the 

articles featured here. The cover story by HMC (DSW) Dean 

Del Favero will open your eyes to the dangers of cold water 

diving. Even though the winter months are upon us, there 

will still be activities involving water and diving – whether 

at work or at play. Your skills, knowledge, abilities, and 

situational awareness are valuable to any type of activity you 

do this winter.

Depending on where you live and how the winter climate 

affects your region, road conditions will significantly 

impact the way you drive. A former race car driver and tire 

safety expert shares some wild weather tips. One thing you 

don't want to miss is the Naval Safety Center winter safety 

campaign. It is now available online (http://www.public.

navy.mil/navsafecen/pages/media/seasonal/winter2011.

aspx) and provides essential home and personal safety tips 

for the winter season. We've featured one of the topics ("Fatal 

Four") in the off-duty section of this issue.

I hope you enjoyed the first issue of Sea Compass last fall.

Much thanks to commanding officers and safety officers 

for endorsing stories written by their crew. As always, you 

can check us out on the web (http://www.public.navy.mil/

navsafecen/pages/media/sea-compass/index.aspx). If you 

want to get back issues, send your requested number of 

copies to safe-seacompass@navy.mil.

Have a happy and safe New Year!

Our First Green Issue

2011 Afloat CNO Safety Award

Submissions for calendar year 2011

Afloat CNO Safety Awards and the

Ship’s Helicopter Safety Awards

are due to the Naval Safety Center, via 

TYCOMs, no later than Feb. 15, 2012. 

We had some great submissions and fierce 

competition last year, and hope to receive 

equal or greater submissions this year. 

Additionally, the VADM Bulkeley and 

RADM Buie Awards submission packages are 

due to ISICs by March 15, 2012 and to the 

NSC by April 1. 

The point of contact for the awards 

submission is LT Christine Davy. She can be 

reached at christine.davy@navy.mil. 

Please refer to OPNAVINST 3590.24E 

for package submission criteria.

2 SEA COMPASS
Write All 

About It

Since 1955, the Naval Safety Center has 

been telling stories that matter to mission 

accomplishment. Some of those have been 

about lessons learned, success stories and 

best practices. If you have a story to share , 

Sea Compass can help you tell it. 

Whether you choose to write about a challenge at work you 

managed (or perhaps failed) or a personal experience away 

from the job, you will be amazed by the power of your story. 

As long as someone learns from it or uses it as a resource, you 

have done something good. 

The editorial focus of Sea Compass is mishap prevention. Our 

mission is to offer a comprehensive source of information on 

risk management, lessons learned from personal experiences, 

and best practices for home and work safety. The core target 

audience includes military personnel and civilian employees. 

Topics may address safety issues in the following job 

functions and off-duty activities:

You may write for any of the magazine sections including a 

cover story, feature, viewpoint, PMS, off-duty story, ORM, 

spotlight on excellence, or news briefs. The opportunity is 

endless. 

Now and then, we will feature a special call for entries, such 

as a photo essay about a specific theme or a safety quiz. We 

hope to hear from you. 

•	 combat systems

•	 flight deck

•	 engineering

•	 damage control

•	 electrical

•	 weapons

•	 safety management

•	 occupational safety and health

•	 tactical operations

•	 training

•	 diving

•	 personal safety and health

•	 off-duty traffic safety

•	 off-duty recreation

Capture images that show how you chart the course to a mishapfree Navy, on the job or off duty. We will feature your entry in Sea 

Compass and on our web site. For the Spring 2012 issue, we will 

feature a photo essay on job protection or off-duty safety. The 

theme will center around personal protective equipment (PPE).

Photo essay requirements:

•	 Submit three to five photos depicting the subject PPE (include 

photo credit and date photo was taken).

•	 Write extended captions (one paragraph, six lines) that 

describe each piece of equipment, its purpose, any training 

required, and why it’s important to use it.

•	 Write a short essay (one page, double-spaced) about a worstcase-scenario if PPE does not work properly or not worn when 

required.

•	 If PPE prevented a mishap, write a short essay about your 

experience and the positive results.

IMPORTANT: Make sure your entry has been approved through 

your chain of command.

For more information on writer and photographer guidelines, 

visit http://www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/documents/media/

magazines/writer-photo_guidelines.pdf.

EXTRA: Submit a photo essay

Click here to dowload the writer submission form.

(MC3 Scott Pittman/USN)

WINTER 2011-2012 3
viewpoint

Any given weekday morning, usually right around the 

crack of dawn, several thousand people clamber out 

of bed and into their cars and try to get to work. If 

you live near a military base, I guarantee that twice a day, tens 

of thousands of civilians, Sailors and Marines fill the same 

few highways and surface streets at just about the same time. 

Every weekday, rain or shine.

During bad weather conditions, the situation gets worse 

for most drivers. Many of those drivers will be tired, angry, 

annoyed, distracted, or a combination of all these things. If 

you live in an area where you experience harsh winters, you 

may be suffering from these conditions as well – even if you 

are doing everything right – just because those other drivers 

will inflict their problems on you. 

You cannot control the actions and attitudes of other drivers. 

What you can control are your actions. You can minimize the 

risks of driving in bad weather by being proactive. Better still, 

this practice will absolutely reduce the risks of getting rearended – or of rear-ending someone else. All you have to do is 

back off. That’s it. It really is that simple. Give the car in front 

of you some room. If you stay at least two seconds behind the 

car ahead of you, you’ll have more time to react and stop.

“Wait a second!” I hear you objecting. “How is that going to 

prevent the idiot who’s tailgating me from hitting me?”

Try slowing down a little more. Extend your following 

distance to three seconds (or more). Then you have even 

more time to react, which means the idiot behind you has 

more time to react, too.

There are a few other tips that can help reduce the risks. Not 

talking on the cell phone. Keeping your eyes on the road 

ahead and the traffic around you. Not allowing yourself to get 

distracted by changing the radio station or CD player. Not 

trying to eat, shave, or put on make-up. All of these things 

should be done before you get in the car or after you get out 

of the car.

“But I don’t have time to do all that before or after driving to 

work,” you complain. Hogwash! Worried about getting to 

work on time? Leave earlier. Can’t find a good parking spot? 

Leave earlier. Running late because you overslept/daycare 

was late/whatever? This one is a bit tougher, because it goes 

against every instinct you possess: Slow down.

I know, I know. You’re already running late and I’m telling 

you to take your time. Hear and believe. The worst thing 

that will happen if you’re late for work is your chief or LPO 

might yell at you. Maybe you’ll get a counseling chit. If 

you’re late getting home to make a spectacular dinner, you 

might have to microwave a TV dinner tray instead. These are 

inconveniences. You have to be alive to be inconvenienced. 

These minor worries are nothing compared to the joys of 

appearing in traffic court, the pleasure of examining the décor 

in all the finest emergency rooms, and the adventure of that 

entertaining ambulance ride. And let us not speak of the 

comfortable confines of the luxurious coffin you can get fitted 

for at government expense.

Driving during the winter months is dangerous, but you can 

manage the risk by planning ahead and staying alert. It’s much 

more comfortable to watch the calamities on the roads on TV 

than to experience those incidents first-hand. Why spend the 

winter recovering from a lack of planning?

Hear and believe. Slow down, back off, take your time, don’t 

multi-task while driving, leave earlier, and – most important 

commentary, opinion and point of view from Sea Compass readers

4 SEA COMPASS

Slow down. Back off. Take control.

By John Mapp
It is up to each and every one of 

us to take the initiative to control 

risks that threaten our mission, our 

shipmates, or our families.

– RADM Brian Prindle, Commander, Naval Safety Center

of all – keep your cool. If you get ticked 

off while driving, you’re more likely to 

break one or more of the basic survival 

rules already listed. If you’re driving 

the latest, hottest, most tricked-out 

wonder from the very best car builder 

and someone in a beat-up Bondo 

special passes you, let them. There is 

no challenge involved. If you’re driving 

a 10-year-old station wagon and some 

idiot blows by you in an overpriced 

and overpowered Egomobile, it doesn’t 

mean anything. If you’re running 

behind, and traffic on the highway is 

moving at the speed of glaciers, relax 

and keep calm.

Driving to work is not a contest. It 

is not a race. But you can lose. All 

you have to do is lose your temper 

or lose your cool. Losing your head 

while driving can lead to losing your 

license, your car, a huge portion of your 

paycheck, and even your life.

Mr. Mapp, a retired Sailor, is a safety specialist 

assigned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard. His 

articles have previously appeared in Sea&Shore

magazine and his command safety newsletter. 

Loss of traction and braking

No matter what you drive, your only means of controlling the vehicle are 

dependent on four tiny patches of rubber – each about the size of the palm 

of your hand. If those small patches of rubber lose their grip with the road 

surface, you have lost control of your vehicle.

When driving in conditions where loss of traction is likely (heavy rain, snow, 

sleet, ice), do everything slowly.

► Reduce your speed. 

► Make no sudden changes in direction unless absolutely necessary. 

► Accelerate and decelerate slowly. 

Jamming on the gas or the brake in bad conditions is a quick way to lose 

traction - and therefore control.

Route planning

When travelling in severe winter weather, plan your route in advance. 

► Try to stay on highways and freeways as much as possible – there are 

more services available and more chance of assistance should anything 

go wrong. 

► Do not take shortcuts. 

► Do not rely on your GPS to find the best route. GPS devices have been 

known to direct people onto sub-standard roads and into rivers.

Are you prepared to drive in wintry conditions?

What's Your Point of View?

Do you have an idea for a safety viewpoint or maybe a burning issue with a process or day-to-day routine? 

Send your commentaries, opinions and views to safe-seacompass@navy.mil. 

WINTER 2011-2012 5
The 20th Annual Safety Professional Development 

Conference (PDC) hosted by Naval Safety and 

Environmental Training Center (NAVSAFENVTRACEN) 

for Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Army Corps of Engineers, Air 

Force, and Coast Guard will be held in Hampton, Va., from 

March 12-16, 2012.

More than 1,000 safety professionals from around the world 

are expected to attend. This venue affords military and 

civilian safety professionals a chance to receive the most 

current and up-to-date safety information and training. This 

year’s theme is “Mission First, Safety Always.”

As with past conferences, all services including the Navy 

Echelon-2 commands will host break-out sessions for their 

activities on Monday, March 12. Tuesday will be an all-hands 

general session featuring a keynote and motivational speaker 

followed by concurrent sessions and training seminars the 

rest of the week. 

This year will feature approximately 70 seminars covering a 

broad range of safety topics. The majority of seminars will be 

open seating and is based on a first come-first served basis. 

The conference schedule and registration page will be posted 

January 2012. Visit the Naval Safety and Environmental 

Training Center website for updates.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Registration and schedule

http://www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/navsafenvtracen/

pages/default.aspx

Conference venue

Hampton Convention Center

1610 Coliseum Dr., Hampton, VA 23666

Accommodations

Embassy Suites Hampton Roads - Hotel, Spa & 

Convention Center 

1700 Coliseum Drive, Hampton, VA 23666  

For hotel reservations call 757-827-8200 (reference 

group block code “Safety PDC”). For direct on-site hotel 

reservations please click here.

Safety Professionals to Meet in Virginia

If you have an important announcement, news 

brief, or safety information that can't wait until 

the next issue, you can be proactive and use Sea 

Compass to chart the way ahead.

In an effort to provide you with up-to-date and 

timely information, Sea Compass will also 

publish online news briefs for your convenience. 

You don't have to wait for the printed issue to get 

your announcements out to the fleet.

As with anything you submit for publication, 

please follow your command protocol for 

releasing information.

Here's what you need to do:

1.Get approval from your chain of command, 

safety department or PAO.

2. Provide submission POC's name, email and 

phone number.

3. If referring to websites, please provide the full 

website URL (including the "http" or "https").

4. Provide as much information as you can 

including the who, what, where, when, and how 

to access the information.

5. Include photos, if available.

6.News briefs should be no longer than one 

page, double spaced.

7. Submit news briefs to safe-seacompass@

navy.mil.

Need to share quick information 

with our readers?

For more information, contact the editor at 

evelyn.odango@navy.mil or call 757-444-

3520, ext. 7220.

SC News Wire safety news briefs and wire reports

Visit the Naval Safety and Environmental Training Center

6 SEA COMPASS
SC Asked: What's wrong with this picture?

The correct answer:

Thank you for sending us your comments 

and feedback. If you have any quiz ideas, 

send us your suggestions with pictures and 

correct answers. You can do your part to 

keep the mind as sharp as it can be. This is 

one way to ensure personal safety and 

well-managed operations. 

– Sea Compass Editor

SC Quiz our questions answered by you

The life raft should be tied off with 1/4 inch 

nylon double braided line with the line run 

through five times and finished off with a 

clove hitch two half hitches.

Congratulations to BM1 Ben Mata, 

COMNAVBEACHGRU ONE.

SC Asked: What's wrong with this scene?

The correct answers:

The answers to infractions B-F are:

1. Supervisor texting on cell phone (A)

2. Unauthorized safety lanyard (D)

3. Tied off to “J” hook (E)

4. Life lines are down (B)

5. Deck not cleared of trip hazards (F)

6. Over the edge and no fall protection (C) 

You be the judge: Identify the six infractions 

and see if you’re up-to-speed with your 

deck-operations safety checklist. To get you 

started we pointed out the texting bandit 

(A). 

Congratulations to ABH1 John W. Jacob, 

USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7).

YOU BE THE JUDGE

B

A C E

D

F

A case study about a deck operation appeared in the Fall 

2011 issue, entitled "This Deck Operation Made the Hair on 

the Back of My Neck Stand" by ETC (SW) Jason Mobbs on 

page 20. 

This picture appeared in the inaugural issue (Fall 2011) 

article by LT Edward Alexander, entitled "(Tell Me Again) 

How'd You Lose Your Life Raft?" in the B2BPMS section on 

page 15.

WINTER 2011-2012 7
Playbook ORM

ORM Essentials

Operational risk management (ORM) is a tool for making 

smart decisions at all levels. Each person has a role to play in 

managing risk for the unit, and each role is vital to success. 

These roles require different skills and knowledge.

•	Leaders use the ORM process to plan unit operations.

•	Junior personnel manage risk while they’re actually doing 

tasks.

You already use ORM every day. When you follow a 

checklist, you’re doing step four ("Implement Controls"). 

When you watch for changes, you’re doing step five 

("Supervise"). There are many other ways to apply ORM – 

both at the deliberate and time-critical levels.

•	 A way to avoid risk

•	 A safety-only program

•	 Limited to complex, high-risk evolutions

•	 A program rather than a process

•	 Only for on-duty tasks

•	 Just for your boss

•	 Just a planning tool

•	 Automatic

•	 Static

•	 Difficult

•	 Someone else’s job

•	 A fail-safe process

•	 A bunch of checklists

•	 A bullet in a briefing guide

•	 TQL

•	 A mindset and methodology that applies to any activity

•	 Accomplishing the mission with acceptable risk

•	 Planning using a standard, five-step process

•	 A continuous process

•	 Based on people’s experiences

•	 Following procedures

•	 Watching for change

•	 Flexible

•	 Best when applied as a team

•	 Asking “What’s different today?”

•	 A process that depends on skill and knowledge

•	 Sharing experiences and lessons learned

•	 Using available tools and resources

•	 Applied, standardized common sense

•	 “Looking before leaping”

•	 As in-depth as you have time for

What ORM Is What ORM Isn't

● USN/USMC ORM instructions

● Evolution ORM assessment sheet

● ORM program assessment checklist

● Risk matrix postcard

● ORM courses on NKO

● Web tools and resource links

● Sign up for email updates

browse

preview

download 

sign up

www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/pages/orm/orm.aspx

Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard

(LHD 6) test the aqueous film forming foam countermeasure wash 

down system. (MCSC Joe Kane/USN)

MANAGE RISK. ENSURE SUCCESS. COMPLETE THE MISSION.

8 SEA COMPASS
Part of what we do at the Naval Safety Center is analyze the 

reports you submit about mishaps. The information we gather 

helps us determine the problem areas in the Navy and Marine 

Corps and provides our program managers strategies to prevent 

mishaps. So, how did we do in 2011 and how can we do better 

in areas we missed? The NSC afloat safety programs directorate 

provides some insight on our overall performance.

Shipboard safety surveys are improving. This does not imply that the Naval 

Safety Center afloat division is discovering fewer discrepancies. It means the 

team is becoming more proficient and has adopted a cross training perspective. 

For example, all surveyors – regardless of their area of expertise – have all been 

trained to look for common discrepancies that apply to all areas of the ship. 

Electrical safety, general damage control, and general safety are areas that each 

surveyor assesses and documents on the ship’s safety survey final report. 

SAFETY SURVEYS

Are surveys

getting better?

During calendar year 2011, there were three Class A mishaps. Unfortunately, 

the Navy lost one Sailor during an on-duty mishap. Two engineering casualties 

and one navigation casualty resulted in $2 million or more in damage to a Navy 

asset. The common thread in all three mishaps was a combination of lack of 

deck plate leadership during major shipboard evolutions, lack of forceful backup from junior to senior leadership, and lack of deck plate training of junior 

Sailors entrusted to operate multi-million dollar equipment. 

MISHAPS

What were the

leading causes?

The Naval Safety Center afloat subject-matter experts have dedicated an 

impressive amount of time developing distribution lists throughout the fleet. 

Fleet leaders can become a member listed on a massive distribution list of 

SMEs for combat systems electronic material officers (EMOs), and electrical 

for electrical officers and enlisted electricians. If you wish to be added to these 

distribution lists, e-mail ETC Jason Mobbs at jason.mobbs1@navy.mil for 

combat systems/electronic. For electrical, email EMCM Jim Burke at jim.

burke@navy.mil. 

Additionally, the shipboard afloat division conducts safety seminars in fleet 

concentration areas to inform Sailors of the common discrepancies they may 

encounter aboard their own ships and how to correct them. The Naval Safety 

Center website also has links to the survey check sheets, the safety catalog, 

a comprehensive list of instructions and references, and links to training 

presentations.

TOOLS

What resources 

are available through 

the afloat safety 

programs?

Looking Back highlights and events

Visit the afloat safety programs web page for more updates.

WINTER 2011-2012 9
As the winter season rapidly approaches, the water 

temperatures are beginning to decrease. One of the 

biggest hazards associated with diving in cold water 

is hypothermia. Hypothermia, by definition, is an abnormally 

low body temperature. Most people will show signs of 

hypothermia when their core temperature drops below 95 

degrees Fahrenheit. Water conducts heat away from your 

body 25 times faster than air does, so you cool more rapidly 

in water versus air. A low body temperature can affect your 

brain function and create a major hazard while diving. 

Recognizing hypothermia is critical because it can be life 

threatening and needs to be treated immediately. The major 

signs and symptoms of hypothermia include excessive 

shivering, fatigue, confusion, loss of coordination, slurred 

speech, memory loss, and drowsiness. 

Treatment always consists of re-warming, but be careful 

of how quickly you re-warm the victim. In severe cases 

of hypothermia, re-warming too quickly can cause “after 

drop.” After drop occurs when cold blood returns from the 

extremities back to the core, causing the hypothermia to 

become worse. For this reason, always re-warm the core, not 

the extremities. You also want to minimize rough-handling 

the victim or allowing them to walk around on their own to 

prevent after drop and or a cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal 

heart beat). The first step in treatment is to remove the 

victim from the source of the cold and put them in a warm 

environment. Remove any wet clothing and wrap in warm 

sheets or clothes. If the signs/symptoms are severe, transport 

to a medical facility immediately for advanced care and 

observation. 

The best way to treat hypothermia is by preventing it from 

occurring in the first place. Proper dress (wetsuit, dry suit, 

semi-dry suit, hot water suit), based on water temperature, 

should be carefully considered during the operational 

planning phase of your dive. Dehydration and poor nutrition 

Into The Cold

By HMC (DSW) Dean Del Favero

COVER STORY

10 SEA COMPASS
Extra Coverings are predisposing factors, so stay well hydrated and eat a 

well-balanced meal prior to diving in cold water. Due to its 

vasodilating effect on our bodies, alcohol can be a contributor 

to hypothermia so stay away from alcohol when exposed to a 

cold environment. 

Remember, hypothermia is a real threat when diving in cold 

water. The ability to recognize when you or one of your 

divers is stricken with hypothermia is critical. Prevention 

of hypothermia is of the utmost importance when planning 

your dives in a cold environment. Remember, dive safe!

Medical Equipment Maintenance

A common discrepancy found while conducting our diving 

surveys is the lack of PMS coverage for medical equipment. 

MIPS for medical equipment can be found under the 6521 

series. Here are some examples of this often overlooked 

equipment:

6521/582 Medical O2 Cylinders

6521/R48 Hand Operated Resuscitators (AMBU Bags)

6521/R43 Stretchers 

6521/348 Zoll Plus AEDs 

6521/606 Zoll Pro AEDs

Also remember to keep all your paperwork on equipment that 

is sent out for maintenance. 

Uncovered heads, hands, and feet lose heat more rapidly than 

other parts of the body because in cold water, the heart pumps 

extra blood to the torso to keep the body functioning normally. 

To combat this heat loss and to provide physical protection, 

divers wear hoods, gloves, and boots with their diving suits. As 

with diving suits, divers choose this type of equipment based 

on the conditions in which they will work.

To prepare for their cold water dives, EODCS Isaac Callicrate dons 

a hood before a hazard sweep (top photo). GM1 Shannon Hall, 

right, wears boots during underwater maintenance training (Naval 

Undersea Museum).

Opposite page photo: Sailors aboard the Navy hospital ship USNS 

Comfort (T-AH 20) spot a life raft at sea near Bermuda after being 

called for assistance by a Coast Guard that was responding to a 

distress-call from a fishing vessel shortly before capsizing. In this raft, 

Robert Lambe, one of the three Bermuda citizens believed to have 

been on the fishing vessel when it sank, awaits rescuers. Lambe was 

treated aboard Comfort for minor hypothermia. (JO2 Ellen Maurer/

USN).

HMC Del Favero is a diving analyst at the Naval Safety 

Center. This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 

2011 edition of Diving Safety Lines newsletter.

WINTER 2011-2012 11
BESTPRACTICE

What do rain in California, snow in the Carolinas and ice in Connecticut have in common? 

Each can wreak traffic havoc. Unfamiliar roads can surprise anyone, and even locals can be 

caught off guard by sudden weather shifts.

As a race car and test driver, I’ve driven all kinds of cars in all kinds of conditions in all kinds of ways – 

with both good and bad results.

I’ve learned that anticipation is the key to good driving. Racers traveling the distance of a football field 

in a second know better than to rely on reaction time; you have to be ready for what’s coming. So, to 

prepare for bad weather, anticipate that you’ll need new tires, that a blizzard is coming or that there 

could be black ice on the next corner. A little foresight paired with experience goes a long way. Here are 

some wild weather tips that I’ve tried and tested so you don’t have to.

Wild Weather 

To stay in control when driving 

through water, stay out of those wheel 

ruts (unlike while driving in snow), as 

rainwater collects in them. Good tires 

are also key. Tire Rack recommends 

4/32 inch of tread as bare minimum 

for rainy situations to help prevent 

hydroplaning. Recovering from 

hydroplaning is much like recovering 

from an icy skid – don’t brake or turn.

A driving expert shares his hard-won wisdom for tackling the roads in the 

worst kinds of weather. By Mac Demere

When driving on plowed snowy roads, 

be sure to stay in the wheel ruts created 

by the cars ahead. Often, the grip in a 

rut is almost as good as on a road that’s 

merely wet. Most importantly, watch 

your speed.

Snowy roads demand proper tires. 

(Tire and wheel specialists at Tire Rack 

says the minimum tread depth for snow 

traction is 6/32 of an inch.) If you live 

in a snowy area, a good set of winter 

tires is a wise investment. Otherwise, 

near-new all-season tires are fine – 

most start with a tread depth of at least 

10/32 of an inch.

There’s a big difference between driving 

in snow and on ice. With the correct 

tires and attitude, millions drive safely 

on snow. Any good driving school 

will teach you the basics. There are 

good driving schools in most cities 

around the country. Ask your local car 

dealership to suggest one near you.

Ice is trickier to handle – even just a 

little black ice can trigger a skid. First 

thing to know: Black ice isn’t black. 

What you’re seeing is asphalt under 

a sheet of clear ice. It usually occurs 

when temperatures hover around 

freezing. Snowmelt flows across the 

road and freezes into ice as slick as a 

hockey rink.

With headway, you can avoid black 

ice by slowing and steering smoothly. 

But if you hit an ice patch and start 

to slide, your tires have little grip and 

your options may be limited. The most 

important thing to do is remain calm 

and not overreact by slamming on the 

brakes or turning the wheel too much. 

To maintain control, make only small 

steering adjustments to help keep the 

car moving straight ahead until you 

move through the icy patch and back 

onto the road surface that allows you to 

regain traction.

SNOW ICE RAIN

FOG

The solid white lines on the right edge 

of the road are fog lines. Keep them in 

your peripheral vision to stay in your 

lane when driving through fog. Use 

your low-beam headlights, never your 

high beams or hazard lights. Slow down 

if visibility is poor, but don’t pull over 

to the right shoulder unless absolutely 

necessary. Drivers behind you could 

veer out of their lane. Look for an exit if 

you need a break.

12 SEA COMPASS
Driving

BACK TO SCHOOL

Driver’s manuals often offer vague advice about turning into a 

skid. But just as critical is turning the steering wheel back the 

other way at a crucial point. It takes practice, and the best way to 

learn is to experiment in a controlled situation. There are several 

great (and relatively inexpensive) driving schools that can teach 

you. Or try “slick track” go-karting to practice a controlled skid. 

It’s the same skill, just a different vehicle.

ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

All-wheel drive is excellent for helping a vehicle climb a steep, 

snow-covered driveway, but it does not increase cornering power 

on snowy or rainy roads. As a tire test driver, I have extensively 

evaluated all-wheel drive vehicles in all conditions. AWD adds 

grip while you’re accelerating but not when cornering or braking.

COMPUTERIZED BRAKES

Electronic stability control (also called ESC, ESP, VSA, StabiliTrak 

and VSC by various auto manufacturers) will be required on all 

light vehicle 2012 car models sold in the U.S. ESC is a complex 

computer-controlled system that applies the brake on individual 

wheels to balance uneven traction that sends you into a skid. ESC 

makes it much easier to avoid skidding and will therefore make 

the roads much safer for all of us.

►Some of the snowiest cities are concentrated in 

New York state. Syracuse averages 115 inches 

of snow per year and Rochester averages 93 

inches. But there are places that get even more 

of the white stuff, including Mount Washington, 

N.H., and Valdez, Alaska*.

►Point Reyes, Calif., is in one of the foggiest 

land areas in the world, with more than 200 

days of fog per year†

. Mount Washington gets 

fog about 60 percent of the year – along with 

record-shattering winds††. Other spots with 

poor visibility include the drearily named Cape 

Disappointment, Wash., and Mistake Island, 

Maine.

Mac Demere is an automotive journalist who has written for Motor Trend, 

edmunds.com, realcarguys.com and others. He’s a driving and tire safety 

expert and a former race car driver who competed in the NASCAR 

Southwest Tour and Rolex 24 at Daytona. Reprinted with permission from 

the Fall/Winter 2011 edition of Geico Now magazine. 

_ _ _

Online:

Tire Rack: http://www.tirerack.com

About the photo: Security personnel make sure drivers exercise 

caution aboard Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, after a snow storm hit 

the area. (PH3 John E. Woods/USN)

And consider this...

 Danger Zones

*National Climatic Data Center records as reported by the 

National Snow and Ice Data Center

†

farmersalmanac.com

††mountwashington.org

WINTER 2011-2012 13
OFFDUTY

No PPE

Seatbelts save lives

•	 More than half of the people who die in car wrecks were 

unrestrained.

•	 Traffic wrecks kill more people between the ages of 3 

and 34 than any other single cause in the United States.

•	 NHTSA estimates that lap/shoulder seat belts, when 

used correctly, reduce the risk of a fatal injury to frontseat occupants by 45 percent.

•	 For military members, both DoDI 6055.4 and 

OPNAVINST 5100.12H mandate seat belt use 24/7.

The 'Fatal Four'

Speed

•	 Risk-taking behavior is often multiplied. Speeders killed 

in wrecks are nearly three times more likely to be DUI 

than sober, and 24 percent less likely to be wearing a 

seatbelt.

•	 The chance of dying in a crash is 15 times higher at 50 

mph than at 25 mph.

DUI

What a DUI can do to your insurance

•	 Add a surcharge of between 35 percent and 200 

percent, depending on the state, to your cost.

•	 You may not be able to get a new policy if you’ve had 

a DUI or had your license suspended within the last 

three years.

•	 You may not be eligible for preferred rates for up to 

seven years, which means your insurance will cost you 

an extra 30 percent even without the DUI surcharge.

Fatigue

•	 Fatigued people get short-tempered, depressed or 

anxious.

•	 They react more slowly and are less vigilant.

•	 Fatigue often masquerades as complacency, 

inattention, distraction, task-fixation, or boredom.

•	 If you’re planning a trip or a night out, try to stay off the 

road between midnight and 6 a.m. There is a strong 

relationship between time of day and traffic accidents. 

It isn’t necessarily how long you have driven as what 

time you are driving.

•	 Learn to recognize the symptoms of fatigue in 

yourselves and those around you.

A typical wreck involving fatigued driving 

•	 Occurs during late night, early morning or midafternoon.

•	 Serious accident.

•	 Single vehicle leaves roadway. 

•	 Occurs on a high-speed road. 

•	 Driver doesn’t try to avoid a crash. 

•	 Driver is alone in the vehicle.

Speed • DUI • No PPE • Fatigue

The Naval Safety Center has prepared some presentations for the 2011 Winter Safety 

Campaign. Topics include DUI, home fires, weather, and – highlighted in this issue – 

the "Fatal Four." Although the winter months usually encourage some people to stay in 

and enjoy the warmth of their homes, there are others who need to be on the road for 

work or leisure travel. It's bad enough that winter driving poses certain road hazards; 

tragically, there are drivers that don't heed traffic warnings or state laws. The four 

elements below claim many lives in car wrecks – fatalities that could be prevented. 

Helmets provide best protection

•	 Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle 

wrecks.

•	 Motorcycle helmets provide the best protection from head 

injury for motorcyclist involved in traffic crashes.

•	 A helmet is the best protective gear you can wear while 

riding a motorcycle. 

•	 When considering a new helmet, make sure to look for the 

DOT or SNELL sticker inside or outside the helmet. The 

sticker means that the helmet complies with the safety 

standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) 

and/or the Snell Memorial Foundation. 

•	 Wearing a helmet is a reflection of your attitude toward 

riding and shows that you are a responsible rider who 

takes motorcycle riding seriously.

Download the 2011 winter safety campaign briefs.

14 SEA COMPASS
WINTER 2011-2012 23
We believe that there's only one way to do any task: 

the way that follows the rules and takes precautions against hazards.

– Excerpt from the Naval Safety Center Mission Statement

Our Sailors at Their Best

Getting the job done aboard USS Bunker Hill (CG 52)

MC3 John Grandin/USN