Safety Equipment? thread of another discussion about safety.

[Chantelle]

Please do not skim read any of this

please also look at the thread David has with the Auckland Sword and shield rules on, i was going to combine them - but had already stated that i was going to consolodate and post sepatate threads for safety equipment and safety protocols.

The below is broken into the ISSUES raised and the SOLUTIONS people have suggested

The SOLUTIONS are NOT the agreed upon solutions – they are simply the solutions that have been suggested so far

The below are YOUR WORDS people – taken from your posts, if i have missed anything it was not intentional – please let us know

very wise words....
we need clear communication from OLD to NEW people and then back again in all we do – so tell everyone you know about these threads and even if they don't think GD is a good forum for this / have access – help them to view it, or get them on here to follow and discuss from the beginning of the threads

When we finally come together to discuss these issues and to come to some conclusions please remember

come to the table
swallow your pride
listen respectfully
our similarities should engulf our differences
we are all there for each others sake and the love of our community and sport

Suggested steps for action now

discuss some more
consolidate
arrange a meeting place to place down some rules etc???? thoughts on this?


SAFETY EQUIPMENT

ISSUES

accidents happen – we are playing with swords after all

No amount of armour will not protect from full strength blows designed to kill

after training and expertise, safety protocols and equipment should be second

people go harder when they see more armour

people have seen injuries that more armor wouldn't protect, and some that just that little bit more would protect

still possible for injury in non head blow – so it is sane to seek MAX personal protection in any tournament / bout

club registers of incidents / accidents not up to date

old days – gloves, helm, sword were all the equipment you needed

dislike of fencing masks from a lot of different posts – cause of a lot of head injuries because they don't protect the back of the head

Too expensive to have proper helms etc

bibs of fencing masks ride up and expose the throat as masks fall back

fencing masks are for bendable epee foils etc – NOT our non bendable swords


SOLUTIONS

Keep hydrated

places to sit in the shade while fighting

basic safety equipment suggested

safely made gorgets
metal on the back / whole of the head
mesh on the front
footwear that does not slip
major arteries not exposed – armpit / groin / throat
puncture proof clothing

advocate use of fully meshed closed helms – spoils enjoyment as you are mind full of possible injuries otherwise

armorers could make a heap of safety equipment (as cheap as possible without compromising integrity)

some workshops on how to make your own safe armour / gorgets etc

too many fragmented sets of rules etc – so need a basic set of safety equipment rules to guard personal safety

clip on backs for masks available from The king of swords

The Irish are now adopting basic safety gear
plastic armour to go under gambersons etc – for extra protection

higher we set the minimum safety standards – the harder it is for new people to get involved

Sophie and Justin offered to make cheap backs for fencing masks – or for $20-30 people can go to their workshop and make their own

full face steel surrounding the back with chain to protect the throat over a gorget is a good way of protecting

the host of the tournament has a supply of helms etc to lend if combatant doesn't have his own

helms, gorgets and gloves – basic safety to build from

not about making people wear heavy plate as a minimum

SCA specs min 1.6mm steel
min 13 mm padding
full face and neck coverage
because brain damage is NOT COOL