Lifetime certification

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Members of the 341st Security Forces Squadron completed five days of classroom training to receive their lifetime National Highway Traffic Safety Administration certification, and once completed the members are able to practice nationwide.

Students were trained on the different signs and symptoms of an individual who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and the science behind the testing and history.

“The class was very educational,” said Staff Sgt. Quentin Humphries, 341st SFS installation patrolman. “It taught me how to identify the different ways individuals could be under the influence, and whether it is drug or alcohol-related.”

Part of the certification process required students to go through a hands on standardized field sobriety test.

The SFST consisted of three tests performed during a traffic stop to determine if a driver is impaired.

The three tests conducted include the horizontal gaze nystagmus, the walk-and-turn and the one-leg stand tests.

“For the tests, students were given the opportunity to apply what they learned on live subjects,” saod Doug Samuelson, Montana Highway Patrol trooper. “We had three people at different blood alcohol contents available to allow the students to see the clues of each.”

Individuals volunteered to be live subjects for the training. Utilizing volunteers with varying BACs gave students the opportunity to evaluate real-world symptoms and scenarios.

According to Samuelson, for the HGN test, the students are looking for three different clues in each eye primarily focusing on the effects of alcohol.

“The students look for involuntary jerking of the eyes when conducting the HGN test,” Samuelson said. “Pre-checks are done to ensure there aren’t any medical conditions associated with the subject’s eyes. The higher the BAC, the more clues the person would typically give off.”

The second test was the walk-and-turn.

“The subject is required to walk nine heel-to-toe steps on a line with their arms to their side,” Samuelson said. “The subject is then required to turn and walk nine steps back the exact same way.”

The last test was the one-leg stand.

“The subject is required to balance on one leg of their choosing for 30 seconds,” Samuelson. “At the end, we combine the three tests together to make our decision of if we believe the person is under the influence of alcohol. We also check to ensure their ability to operate a vehicle safely is impaired or not.”

According to Samuelson, the tests have been scientifically evaluated based on years of research.

Students are certified in NHTSA at the end of the course.

“The NHTSA is a lifetime federal certification from the United States government,” Samuelson said. “No matter where the person goes within the U.S., the tests are all conducted the same.”