A 19-year-old Soldier assigned to Fort Moore, Georgia, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 2 September 2024 in Columbus, Georgia, at 1400 local. The Solider dove from a bridge support 50 feet above the water and landed on his stomach. He swam to shore but was having difficulty breathing and lost consciousness. Local police responded and performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived. The Soldier was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later pronounced dead

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the fourth fatal off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY24 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

From FY19-23, 36 Soldiers lost their lives in water-related mishaps, and another four suffered permanent total disabling injuries after diving into shallow waters.

Think Ahead
Once you’ve started your dive, you don’t have time to think. Know the depth of the water. Plan your dive path. Never dive where you don’t know the water depth or where there may be hidden obstructions.

Steer Up
When you dive down, you must be ready to steer up. As you enter the water, your arms must be extended over your head, hands flat and aiming up. Hold your head up and arch your back. This way, your whole body helps you steer up, away from the bottom. Plan a shallow dive, immediately steering up. Don’t try the straight vertical-entry dives you see in competition. These dives take a long time to slow down and must be done only after careful training and in pools designed for competitive diving.

Head and Hands Up
Your extended arms and hands not only help you to steer up to the surface, they can also protect your head. If a diver’s head hits bottom, major injury to the neck and spine can result. So always remember, head and hands up!

Control Your Dive
Sometimes divers lose control through improper use of their hands and arms. Practice holding your arms extended, hands flat and tipped up. Like learning to swim or ride a bicycle, you have to learn to make the right moves automatically. Carefully rehearse the proper diving technique before you dive.
 

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