Barksdale Airmen get ready for Spring Published April 25, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Samuel O'Brien 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La -- Members of Team Barksdale are gearing up for spring. While the transition may happen a bit earlier in Louisiana than it does in many other places, it doesn't change the fact that warmer temperatures mean a new set of activities for those interested in the outdoors. Activities such as running, hiking, hunting and fishing provide a great deal of excitement for Airmen, but also bring a new set of hazards as they are participating in activities they haven't done in months. "The most common problems we see are actually with peoples' ankles," said Master Sgt. Stacey Beckwith, 2nd Bomb Wing Safety Office superintendent. "They're doing things they haven't done in a while and they forget to warm up. Stretching and hydration are also essential." Other aspects of safety are tailored more specifically to what people are doing. "It's important to make sure you have all the right gear for whatever you're doing," said 1st Lt. Samantha Schinder, 8th Air Force executive officer, who is also an avid skydiver and motorcycle rider. "You also need to make sure the gear you have is working properly." In many instances, it's as important to rely on others as it is to take care of yourself. "Make sure that you have an experienced instructor," said Schinder. "If a place doesn't look professional or there aren't many people going there, there's probably a reason." The 2nd Force Support Squadron's Outdoor Recreation office offers many seasonal activities. Springtime events on base include the Red Chute Shotgun Club, archery tournaments and the grand opening of a paintball course. "Paintball players are made aware of all rules and regulations and receive a safety brief," said Caitlin Cook, Outdoor Recreation program manager. "They're also required to sign a waiver acknowledging the risks." Outdoor Recreation also organizes off-base events ranging from horseback riding to zip-lining trips. "All of the off-base establishments take trips to give safety briefings to all the participants," said Cook. Outdoor Recreation personnel are mostly civilian, but are trained and certified in first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation the same as any military member, should there be a minor accident. For anyone interested in engaging in their own activities, Outdoor Recreation offers a variety of rental equipment. Individuals wishing to rent trailers, campers or boats are given a checklist and shown how to properly operate the equipment before taking possession of it. "If someone is renting a boat, they have to take the boater safety course through the base or have the proper licenses through the state," said Corinna Bridges, Outdoor Recreation operations clerk. "They're issued a life jacket and flotation cushion; we give them everything the state requires." For more permanent fixtures, such as the base swimming pool, Outdoor Recreation maintains a relationship with the base safety office to ensure all protocols are met. "Before our pools open up the safety office will come in and check everything out," Cook said. "They let us know any problems they see that could pose a potential hazard, so we can fix them before we let anyone in." Barksdale facilities offer a multitude of recreational activities for Airmen and their families, while providing the necessary safety precautions. Utilizing those precautions and staying safe are the responsibility of the participant. "We don't hammer people with the common sense stuff," said Cook. "We trust people are smart enough to know the basics."