June 26, 2012
Vol. 1 Issue 28
CPR Training Teaches Sailors to Save Shipmates Story by MCSA Ryan Mayes
The medical staff of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) encourages cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid training for all personnel. CPR certification and first aid training are a large part of being ready for any emergency situation, explains Lt. Cmdr. James Morris, the ship’s nurse. “First aid is an essential skill that everyone should know,” said Morris. “We all work on the most hazardous industrial environments and mitigate risk through ORM (operational risk management), but accidents still happen. A shipmate can save a life by performing basic first aid techniques when required. It is imperative that we all train for the worst so that if it happens we can resort to our training and succeed in our mission.” Medical response teams on board Nimitz are highly trained but cannot be everywhere at once and are not always the first responders. “Everybody can save a life,” said
Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Robert Jimenez performs cardio pulmonary resuscitation training during a first aid exercise on Nimitz’ flight deck. Photo by MC3 Jacob Milner.
Cmdr. William Klorig, Nimitz’ senior medical officer. “It isn’t usually a corpsman who arrives on scene first. When someone isn’t breathing you have to act quickly. You don’t always know how long they have been incapacitated. We [medical professionals] say, ‘Time is Life’.” The ship’s medical personnel are highly trained and efficient in their field. However, if the worst of situations were to occur, any Sailor available could be called on to assist the corpsman and
medical staff. “It’s in those first few minutes that we have a better chance of saving a life or preventing permanent damage due to lack of oxygen.” said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Isreal ThompsonFilip. “Electrical ratings, food service staff and, of course, medical personnel are all required to have CPR certification due to the nature of their jobs,” said Thompson-Filip. Many jobs aboard the ship See “CPR” page 3
USS Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day June 24 Capt. Jeff Ruth, commanding officer of USS Nimitz, named Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Robert Weatherholt, Sailor of the Day for June 24, in the Pilot House. Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter.
USS Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day June 25 Capt. Jeff Ruth, commanding officer of USS Nimitz, named Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Joshua Barnhart, Sailor of the Day for June 25, in the Pilot House. Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter.
Commanding Officer CAPT Jeff S. Ruth Executive Officer CAPT Buzz Donnelly Command Master Chief CMDCM Teri McIntyre Public Affairs Officer LCDR Karin Burzynski
Editor MC2 Robert Winn Lead Designer MC3 Jacob Milner
Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All. submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.
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CPR: Safety, Knowledge Key to Saving a Life Continued from page 1
require CPR certification, at a minimum, due to the inherent danger of their jobs. “We have corpsman on scene during all major evolutions,” said Thompson-Filip. “However, if something were to go horribly wrong the ship could find itself in a mass casualty scenario. This is when it is crucial that we have as many people trained in basic first aid and CPR. You never know when you will need it.” Nimitz’ medical staff holds training courses for Sailors on different levels of CPR certification. “We offer three levels of certification,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Brent Hammond. “The basic Heart Saver AED (Automated External Defibrillator) course is offered for general personnel. The Health Care Provider course is
required for the medical staff as well as other jobs like search & rescue. Lastly, we have the CPR Instructor course which has a prerequisite of the Health Care Provider course.” Those seeking their CPR certification can contact HM2 Hammond by e-mail at: J-Dial 6061 or 6058 or brent.hammond@cvn68.navy.mil to schedule training. Nimitz Sailors are encouraged to attend the Remedial Medical Training today at the Reactor Training Complex from 8:40 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. or in the Training Class Room at 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check the ship’s green sheet for the upcoming times of remedial training to be offered through Friday.
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Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Brian Perez downloads dummy ammunition from an M-197 gun system in one of Nimitz’ weapon’s magazines.
When
Hero Is Set
Story by MCSN Jess Lewis Photos by MC2 (SW) Robert Winn
O
Dummy ammunition sits loaded in an M-197 gun system in one of Nimitz’ weapon’s magazines.
ften times, throughout the day over the ship’s 1 Main Circuit (1MC) the words, “Now set HERO Condition…..” can be heard. For some Sailors, hearing the command of setting a particular HERO condition causes them to jump immediately into action and set that condition. For other Sailors, they continue about their normal routine, not really sure what setting a HERO condition means to them or to their lives for that matter. HERO is Hazardous Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) and can be broken down into HERO safe, HERO susceptible, HERO unsafe and HERO unreliable. HERO conditions are set in specific situations when the closein weapons system (CIWS) is being loaded, when there’s a jammed gun on an aircraft or when maintenance is being done on the antennas. These various categories are used to describe the types of ordnance handled on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Whenever HERO is set, Sailors need to know ordnance is involved. “We make a schedule of what ordnance needs to be moved,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW) Brian Draper, weapons quality Page 4
assurance leading petty officer (LPO). “Then we contact the TAO) Tactical Action Officer) so the proper HERO condition can be set and we verify through PRIFLY (primary flight control) when HERO is set.” Ordnance doesn’t react well to radio frequencies. It’s important for Sailors to have a heads up so they know when and where to not use their radios, and when in port, their cell phones. Any radios, bricks or walkmans are also never allowed in the weapons magazines. “It’s important for all hands to know the different conditions to ensure the ship’s overall safety,” said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW/SW) David West, ordnance control representative. “Our job is dangerous. The ordnance we deal with is made for one purpose – to explode. We know what our ordnance is capable of, but not everyone may know.” Sailors and Marines should be aware of their surroundings and pay attention to what’s being passed over the 1MC. “Once HERO is called, it needs to happen quickly,” said West. “We set HERO for personnel and ship’s safety so we can deal with [ordnance] at the magnitude we deal with and everyone stays safe.”
Carpentry Shop: Sculpting Memor ies
Story and photo by MC2 (SW/AW) Eva-Marie Ramsaran
I
magine being able to work in a shop permeated by dust, covered in wood shavings and constantly working with loud power tools molding different types of wood into art every day. The three Sailors in the carpenter shop aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) do just that. They sculpt different types of wood such as dark walnut, mahogany, cherry and oak, into keepsakes for many distinguished personnel. “We make any and everything out of wood,” said Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Lorenzo Bledsoe. “The purpose of our shop is mostly to make plaques for distinguished visitors or awardees on the ship.” Bledsoe commonly works on Nimitz plaques, or skateboards, which are plaques made into the shape of an aircraft carrier. The shop also makes departmental chain of command boards, mustang plaques, coin holders, flag boxes, shadow boxes, cutlass holders and picture frames. Plaques take roughly two hours for the shop to complete because of all the work that goes into each one.
“The thing that takes the longest for us to do is sand,” said Hull Maintenance Technician 3rd Class Brent Carlson. “All of the plaques have to be hand sanded.” Most of the things the shop makes can be found in specialty stores or the Navy Exchange, but having a carpenter shop on board is convenient and efficient. “The only thing we can accomplish here is saving money by being able to actually process and manufacture everything ourselves,” said Carlson. “Having to order plaques and shadow boxes from an outside source, engraving them and getting them personalized takes a lot longer to do.” The HTs in the carpenter shop work hand-in-hand with the machinery repairmen (MR). Once they complete the plaques, they give them to the MRs to engrave and personalize them. Bledsoe explains what he likes most about working in the carpenter shop. “I did carpentry work before, but it wasn’t as precise as this,” he said. “It’s a great overall experience being able to make something so detailed and feel a sense of accomplishment.” Page 5
Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Lorenzo Bledsoe shapes a plaque in Nimitz’ carpenter shop.
Training Department Starts Sailors Early Story by MCSN Jesse Monford
The Training Department aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) is a very vital department to every Sailor on board. Receiving training helps Sailors expand their knowledge in the areas important to their rating or military career. On an aircraft carrier, getting training in a little of everything is a critical aid and proves to be helpful and a learning experience for everyone. “We are talking about the confidence and the knowledge capability of a Sailor for advancements,” said Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Johnathan Villalobos, one of many divisional training petty officers attached to the ship. “It is critical for these Sailors to know the ins and outs when out there working.” There are many different types of training on Nimitz such as alcohol awareness, command awareness, military bearing and in-rate training such as watchstanding. Receiving training is extremely important for every Sailor on board any ship. It is necessary that each Sailor knows not only their part, but the parts of others as well. “Sailors don’t really get an everyday lifestyle of learning each
Damage Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Stuart Hooper, a native of Little Rock, Ark., explains the purpose and use of a peri-jet eductor to a group of new Sailors as part of command INDOC. Photo by MCSN Jess Lewis.
other’s jobs and shops,” Villalobos said. “When the opportunity presents itself, take advantage.” “We handle the training for the whole ship whether it is general military training or required training for shipboard personnel,” said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Mervin Arbiola, leading petty officer of the Training Dept. “We also conduct command indoctrination (INDOC) for all the new guys on board.” The Training Department is divided into two different sections: INDOC, and Training and Travels. Training and Travels helps service members get their training off board the ship for both ‘cost’ orders and ‘no-cost’ Page 6
orders. INDOC handles all the training for the new Sailors who come aboard the ship, from new boot camp and A-school graduates to Sailors who are coming onto the ship from a shore command, said Arbiola. Training helps Sailors build a strong structure and foundation. Without proper training, the ship would not function as proficient as it should. “First impression is key,” said Arbiola. “I want a Sailor who is going to be serious about his or her job, and to get out there and teach the younger Sailors how it is done on the Nimitz, as well as in the Navy.”
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick D. West gets motivated with Sailors at Naval Submarine Base, New London. Photo by MC2 Thomas L. Rosprim.
MCPON: Summertime, Sailors ShouldThink Safety MCC (SW/AW) Sonya Ansarov, Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy
Summertime means fun in the sun, vacations and a myriad of outdoor activities, and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) wants Sailors and families to think safety first. “Benjamin Franklin said, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ and in the case of summertime, it’s worth a pound of safety,” said MCPON (SS/ SW) Rick D. West. “Each year the Navy loses service members to senseless and avoidable mishaps, and the summer season brings the potential for increased risk.” According to the Naval Safety Center, summer deaths spiked in 2008 then decreased in 2009 and 2010, but unfortunately increased again last year. In 2011, between
Memorial Day and Labor Day, 16 Sailors and 15 Marines lost their lives. One in an ATV wreck; three drowned; three during recreational activities; 11 in motor vehicles; and 13 on motorcycles. “Losing even one Sailor or Marine is too many, especially when most of the incidents can be avoided with the proper planning and training,” said West. Training is the priority when it comes to motorcycle safety. According to Naval Safety Center, motorcycle fatalities increased from six in 2010 to 13 in 2011, which is more than a 100 percent increase. Motorcycle training and safety starts with the command having a designated motorcycle safety representative (MSR). “Closing the training gap on Page 7
motorcycle safety needs to be top priority for our leaders,” said West. “Personal motor vehicle accidents are the second highest cause of fatalities in our Navy, and motorcycles are the primary casual factor with sports bikes remaining at the top of the list. MSRs play an important role in mitigating this risk by mentoring and educating our Sailors, and more importantly, ensuring they are registered and complete all required motorcycle training.” The Naval Safety Center’s summer campaign “Live to Play, Play to Live,” also focuses on alcohol awareness, water and boat safety, sexual assault, and suicide awareness, and summer sports activities. “Fourth of July is just around the corner so start planning safety now,” said West. “Whether you are on the highways, waterways or in the backyard, safety must come first. And if you drink, don’t drive and have a plan to get home.” When traveling long distances, remember to use TRiPS, the on-line, automated risk-assessment tool that helps users recognize and avoid the hazards they face on the highway: fatigue, not buckling up, and driving too far. TRiPS is located at https:// wwwa.nko.navy.mil. For more information visit www.safetycenter.navy.mil.
Channel 5 Channel 6 Channel 7 Channel 29 0800 / 2000 White Men Can’t Jump
Secretariat
The Silent House Warrior’s Way
1000 / 2200 Major League
Mir acle
The Green hornet
Airplane
TV LINEUP
2 - AFN Sports 3 - AFN NEWS Tin Cup The Next The The Book of 4 - AFN XTRA Three Days Roommate Eli 5 - 8MM MOVIES 6 - 8MM MOVIES 1400 / 0200 7 - 8MM MOVIES 40 Year old Burlesque Sanctum The 8 - ROLLER virgin Blindside 9 - DVD TRAINING 10-FLIGHT DECK 11-CNN 1600 / 0400 29-DVD MOVIES Big The Dilemma The Rite Tr ansformers:
1200 / 0000
Revenge of the Fallen
Momma’s House 3
1800 / 0600 Night at the Museum
Walk the Line
The Eagle
Nightmare on Elm Street