Alerting students to the dangers of high-risk activities, ranging from cliff-jumping to drunk driving, was the focus of the HEROES presentation last Friday.

HEROES, a multimedia presentation involving a mix of speakers and slide shows, made four showings to students and the public on Friday at the Comprehensive High School Cafetorium.

The slide shows depicted scenes of extreme sports mixed with pictures of accident victims, and included commentary from accident victims.

Todd Hubbs, who was left paralyzed from the neck down in a 1992 car accident, with the help of a student presenter, came on stage to tell assembled crowds about the "Stupid Line," a boundary of justifiable risk to be considered before entering into any dangerous situation.

He also told students about his own severe injury. Hubbs said he had been drinking as he drove to a football game with two friends, and his car had skidded on water and flipped several times before landing in the ditch.

"My two friends were very lucky. They climbed out of the vehicle on their own," he said.

Hobbs added he was only there to tell students to consider the risks of their actions. "I'm not up here to tell you guys not to drink and do drugs," he said. "Only you can be responsible for your life."

Five rules were also outlined in the presentation to be used to prevent injury, including buckling up, driving sober, looking first, getting trained, and wearing proper equipment.

The HEROES presentation travels across Canada and internationally, and is sponsored by the Ontario-based non-profit organization Smart Risk, known formally as the Canadian Injury Prevention Foundation.

The presentation derives its name from Smart Risk's philosophy that anyone who saves a life, including his or her own, is a hero.