Navy RAHS Program managers are responsible for
educating people about off-duty hazards and stressing
the importance of using PPE for sports. The game
players are responsible for wearing the required
eye-protective equipment while playing games. The
facility manager has the responsibility and authority for
ensuring all players wear the proper safety equipment.
All commands are required to provide PPE for
recreational and athletic activities. For example, if you
check out a racquetball racket, the command should
provide safety glasses.
The use of PPE should also be emphasized for
hobby shop patrons or personnel working at home. For
example, training should cover the wearing of safety
glasses or goggles and hard-soled shoes while mowing
RECREATIONAL SAFETY CONTROLS
Most sports have inherent hazards we cannot
eliminate without compromising the game. However,
many preventable mishaps occur during recreational
activities. We can prevent athletic injuries by providing
better training and the proper PPE. Most athletic injuries
result from people being out of condition or not warming
up before an event. Practically all sports involve some
type of hazard since they center around the principles of
attack and retreat. But, if you take the proper safety
control measures, you can reduce most of the
To ensure safe recreational activities for personnel,
commands should provide protective control in the form
of rules and procedures. They should also provide
qualified physical training instructors, special services
officers, and recreational leaders. Commands should
select recreational personnel based on their experience.
However, they should also consider their familiarity
with, interest in, and ability to instruct or supervise
Installations should set up effective programs to
make certain the proper PPE is on hand when needed.
In addition, commands must make sure that facilities are
available and that leaders are present to supervise the
Leadership and Supervision
When supervising or coaching an athletic event, you
must be aware of several factors. One factor is
leadership. Good leadership promotes safety at
recreational activities. You must consider the physical
differences of the participants. As a leader, you also
must understand the goal of the sport involved and
demand complete observance of the rules.
If you are a recreational leader, give preliminary
instructions to all players and thoroughly indoctrinate
beginners in the basics of the sport. You can do that
through a progressive training program. To avoid
mishaps caused by confusion, make sure all players
clearly understand your instructions.
As a recreational supervisor or coach, make sure all
injured persons receive immediate medical attention.
Make sure participants do not drink alcoholic beverages
before or during play.
Before allowing players to engage in any vigorous
sport, put them through a warm-up period. Without
preliminary warm-ups, your players are more likely to
Qualified officials must manage all sports contests,
whether intramural or extramural. They must make sure
the participants carefully follow the standard rules of the
As a participant in an athletic event, you have
several responsibilities. One is to protect yourself from
injury. You should not continue to participate, practice,
or play in events when you arc execssively tired. Before
play starts, warm up. Do not try a new game or practice
a new athletic skill without direct supervision of a
qualified monitor. Make sure your equipment fits
properly and you know how to use it. Wear only clean
clothing and equipment next to your skin. Do not take
unnecessary chances. Pay strict attention to how to play
SAFETY FOR RECREATIONAL
Recreational safety includes many outdoor
activities, such as water sports, hunting, bicycling, and
ice and snow sports.
The most deadly recreational activities, by far, are
conducted on or near the water. Watersports can be fun.
The thrill of boating, waterskiing, scuba diving, or even
just fishing have long been a part of our leisure time.
However, we must respect water. Water can be deadly
to both children and adults alike. Drowning is the
leading killer of Navy people in recreational mishaps