Hi Guys,<br><br>I received this directive from a Navy friend of mine. I thought it was appropriate for a survival forum:<br><br><br>R 081611Z MAR 02<br><br>FM COMCOGARD MLC PAC ALAMEDA CA//KSE//<br><br>TO AIG 8985<br><br>AIG 8968<br><br>INFO COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//WKS//<br><br>COMCOGARD MLC LANT NORFOLK VA//K//<br><br>BT<br><br>UNCLAS //N05100//<br><br>SUBJ: SAFE WORK PRACTICES IN POTENTIALLY FLAMMABLE ATMOSPHERES<br><br>1. A PETTY OFFICER WAS TREATED AT A MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY (MTF) AFTER<br>COMPLAINING OF SHORTNESS OF BREATH AFTER WORKING IN AN ENCLOSED WORKSPACE<br>WITH SEVERAL OTHER PERSONNEL. AS THE DINING FACILITY (CGDF) HAD SERVED A<br>MEXICAN MEAL FOR LUNCH, THE CAUSE IS SUSPECTED TO BE HIGH METHANE AND<br>SULFITE LEVELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE FROM THE CREW'S FLATULENCE.<br><br>2. MANY COAST GUARD PERSONNEL WORK IN FACILITIES AND ON SHIPS WHERE<br>FLATULENCE MAY EXIST, AND DUE TO MISSION URGENCY ARE NOT ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY<br>VACATE THE SPACE SHOULD THE AIR BECOME FOUL. THIS MISHAP SERVES AS A STRONG<br>REMINDER THAT THE EXPRESSION OF FLATULENCE CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN<br>THESE AREAS, UNLESS THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY LISTED AS INTRINSICALLY SAFE. THE<br>COAST GUARD HAS DEVELOPED THE FOLLOWING SAFE WORK PRACTICE TO ADDRESS THIS<br>PROBLEM: EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, THE PRACTICE OF EXPELLING FLATULENCE,<br>COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS "FARTING", "BREAKING WIND", OR "PASSING GAS", IS<br>PROHIBITED ABOARD ALL COAST GUARD CUTTERS, BOATS, VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT, AND<br>SHORE INSTALLATIONS.<br><br>3. THIS REGULATION APPLIES NOT ONLY TO AUDIBLE FLATULANCE, OR INCIDENTS THAT<br>ARE CLAIMED BY THEIR PERPETRATOR, BUT ALSO TO COVERT EVENTS SUCH AS "DEADLY<br>WHISPERS","CHEEK SNEAKERS", AND "CROP DUSTINGS".<br><br>4. UNAUTHORIZED EXPULSION OF FLATULENCE IS TO BE PUNISHED UNDER THE UCMJ.<br>"HE WHO SMELT IT DEALT IT" IS CONSIDERED SUFFICIENT BASIS FOR PROSECUTION.<br>"I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO STINK" OR "I ATE AT THE GALLEY" IS NOT TO BE<br>ACCEPTED AS AN EXCUSE FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL ONESELF.<br><br>5. COMMANDS ARE INSTRUCTED TO ENSURE KNOWN GAS PRODUCING FOODS ARE AVOIDED<br>AT CGDFs. MEXICAN THEMED MEALS, NAVY OR BAKED BEANS, CHILI, CABBAGE, AND EGG<br>SALAD ARE NO LONGER AUTHORIZED MENU ITEMS. <br><br>6. THE LIGHTING OF FLATULENCE WITH ANY TYPE OF OPEN FLAME IS STILL<br>PROHIBITED.<br><br>7. POC LT SMITH, 510-487-5298.<br><br>BT<br><br>NNNN<br><br>