January - ACO - NATO

Story and Photos by Senior Master Sergeant David A.Adkins, U.S. Air ForceOur hands are what we use the most in our daily taskssuch as, when we are performing ID card checks,weapon checks or vehicle maintenance and in greetingone another. Because of this our hands are also ameans for spreading diseases. Keep in mind downthrough history in all wars/missions/campaigns farmore troops were lost to infectious diseases than allbattle-related trauma.To prevent us from becoming sick, it is importantthat we take every opportunity to wash our hands, butespecially before we eat at a restaurant or the DiningFacility. Clean hands can stop germs from spreadingfrom one person to another and throughout an entiremilitary unit. When we get sick, it means that we arenot able to perform our missions and hand washing isa very simple step in helping us all stay healthy.When should you wash your hands?•Before eating food.•After using the toilet.•Before and after caring for someone who is sick.•After blowing your nose, coughing, orsneezing.•After touching an animal or animal waste.•After touching garbage.•Before and after treating a cut or wound.What is the right way to wash your hands?•Wet your hands with clean running water (warm orcold) and apply soap.•Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrubthem well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands,between your fingers, and under your nails.•Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds.•Rinse your hands well under running water.•Dry your hands using a clean towel.Washing hands with soap and water is the best way toreduce the number of germs on them. If soap and waterare not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizerthat contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based handsanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs onhands in some situations, but sanitizers do noteliminate all types of germs.Hand sanitizers are not effective when hands arevisibly dirty.How should you use hand sanitizer?•Apply to the palm of one hand.•Rub your hands together.•Rub over all surfaces of your hands, fingers and nailsuntil your hands are dry.Keeping hands clean is one of the most important stepswe can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germsto others. Many diseases and conditions are spread bynot washing hands with soap and clean, running water.So, what have you been doing with your hands today?Remember the washing of hands is not an option, it isan obligation!24 KFOR Chronicle, January 2011