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CHAPTER 11
RECREATION, ATHLETICS, AND HOME SAFETY
Off-duty mishaps outnumber shipboard and
industrial mishaps. The Navy is concerned with
personnel both on and off duty. In addition to traffic
safety, discussed in chapter 10, the Navy has developed
the Navy Recreation, Athletics, and Home Safety
Program.
Sports and recreation are in the Navy to stay. In
addition to raising morale, these activities contribute to
the development of leadership. The service member
meets many conditions in sports activities that are
similar to conditions in combat. In athletic competition,
an individual can develop various qualities to levels
unattainable by other means. These qualities include
personal courage, confidence, aggressiveness, and
determination. These same qualities, which are essential
in combat, can lead to mishaps and injuries in sports
competition. Somehow we must find the “fine line”
between courage and recklessness, between confidence
and unrealistic appraisal of a situation, and between
determination and inappropriate stubbornness. Finding
the “fine line” reduces mishaps and injuries. We can
achieve that fine line through proper supervision,
effective instruction, and proper training of participants.
It is Navy policy to provide Navy personnel, and
their families, programs that will effectively contribute
to their morale and well being. All personnel should
include some form of exercise in their daily routine to
attain and maintain an acceptable state of physical
fitness. The Navy recommends that personnel take part
in vigorous sports activities to maintain desired levels
of physical fitness.
An old adage says, “A man’s home is his castle.”
Unfortunately, that very same castle can lead to a variety
of mishaps. You can prevent many home mishaps, such
as children’s poisoning, lawn mower mishaps, and fires.
Whether a mishap affects the sailor or the sailor’s
family, it still affects the Navy. A safe attitude on the
job needs to extend to the home and off-duty hours.
In this chapter, we discuss the following areas of the
Navy Recreation, Athletics, and Home Safety Program:
Recreation, athletics, and home safety training
Facilities evaluation and inspections
Personal protective equipment
Recreational safety controls
Safety for recreational activities
Safety for athletic activities
Safety in the home
Off-duty mishap investigation and reporting
NAVY RECREATION, ATHLETICS, AND
HOME SAFETY PROGRAM
The Navy issued a directive dealing with recreation,
athletics, and home safety in 1987 and updated it in
1990. Navy Recreation, Athletics, and Home Safety
Program, OPNAVINST 5100.25A, sets up policy and
procedures for executing this program ashore and afloat.
This program applies to the following personnel:
All military personnel on or off base
Military dependents while on government
property and while taking part in command-
sponsored events off base
That means you are covered during an off-base
softball game as part of the command’s team or as a
spectator. It applies to you while you swim in the base
pool and to the members of your family as they watch
you at the base bowling alley. It also covers you if you
get hurt while repairing your car in your garage at home.
NAVY RECREATION, ATHLETICS, AND
HOME SAFETY TRAINING
The Recreation, Athletics, and Home Safety
(RAHS) Program manager must make sure military
personnel receive training on recreation, athletics, and
home safety at least quarterly. The program recom-
mends that civilian personnel also receive this training.
Work center supervisors and department/division
safety petty officers should conduct this training. When
you are responsible for this training, make sure it is
seasonal and geographically appropriate. Conduct the
training before or during those times of the year when
personnel are at risk.
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