Safety Briefing Cheat Sheet

The following guide is designed as a reference “crib notes” to support those giving safety briefings at a LARP. It is not designed to replace the existing safety guidelines on the TL website.

For further information on any of the topics covered below, please visit the safety guidelines here.

Kit

Weapons

Composition

• Core
• Foam
• Latex
• Paint
• Sealant.

Sources of Fault

• Loose glue (rattle)
• Exposed foam (tear)
• Exposed core (squeeze)

Care and storage

• UV/sunlight is bad for the latex – don’t leave them on the parcel shelf
• Copper dissolves latex – mind copper piping/coins
• Foam compresses – don’t rest anything heavy on them, don’t tread on them
• Latex can melt in extreme heat, and foam can solidify in the cold. Store ambiently, and modify blow strength in the cold.
• Rest a weapon on its non-striking end (normally the pommel/hilt). Don’t put undue pressure on the tip.
• Check weapons for thorns and other embedded foreign objects regularly.

Bows

Composition

• Fibreglass or wood.
• Do not add to the bow without a weight gauge (wraps, latex etx.), as this will alter the draw strength.

Sources of fault

• Cracks in the bow shafts
• Frayed string
• Dodgy string tips.

Care and storage

• Keep them unstrung – only have tension in the bow and string when it is necessary.
• Don’t rest anything heavy on the bow – it can deform or weaken the structure.
• Rest an arrow like a weapon – treat the knock as the pommel, and don’t rest it on its tip.

Bow competency

• The full test is carried out by the bowcomp checkers: Warren & Judith.
• Contact the committee on committee@bathlarp.co.uk to arrange a bow comp test.

Arrow checking procedure

• The foam head should be clean, dry, larger than the eye socket, and uncompressed.
• The black head backing should not be loose with respect to the shaft.
• The shaft should not be splintered – put up to your ear, bend slightly, and rotate. Listen for splintering sound.
• The nock should not be loose with respect to the shaft, and should be free of dirt.
• The fletchings should be securely attached to the shaft along their entire length, and should be free of dirt.

Armour

Composition

• Chain is abrasive.
• Plate can be sharp edged.
• Leather can be spiky.

Sources of fault

• Exposed, unbevelled plate edges. They can be as sharp as a knife.
• Loose rings in chainmail. They can be like pins.

In-Game

Weapon attacks

• Strike only with the striking surface of the weapon.
• Do not stab with any form of LARP weapon. TL does not recognise stab-safe weapons.
• Be aware of the location of your weapon at all times, during the backswing as well as the strike. An unsafe backswing is as even more dangerous than an unsafe strike.
• Pull blows to sufficient extent that no pain is felt by the target. This means variation of blow strength is required depending on how much clothing is being worn. Too little force is better than too much.
• The head is a valid location, but is also a health and safety risk. Only deliver blows to the head where you can be absolutely certain you will be safe doing so. This will be regularly monitored by the GMs.
• Throat Slit is a valid attack, but some people will respond on instinct to being caught round the neck. If throat slit is in the game domain, all players and monsters should be made aware, and any who do not wish to be subject to it must establish an acceptable alternative that will deliver the damage IC while causing no aggravation OOC.

Hand/claw attacks

• Must always be made with an open hand. Never a closed fist.
• Strike horizontally where possible. A vertical attack may inadvertently strike the eyes or head.
• Take care to only deliver hand attacks to locations that would be considered decent. These areas vary according to gender – some are consistent (e.g. the groin), some are peculiar to one or the other (upper chest on females).
• Grappling is fundamentally unsafe if not carried out correctly. Before entering into a grapple, consent from both parties should be agreed. If consent is not given, an alternative must be found that will deliver the damage IC while causing no aggravation OOC.
• Hand attacks on metal armour can be dangerous to the hands (see above). Gloves are recommended, or extra care should be taken. It is not the responsibility of the armour wearer to make hand attacks upon them safe – only to make sure their armour is not unsafe.
• Do no attack round a shield with claws, or round a body to claw in the back. IC, this would end very badly for the claw user. OOC, it counts are barging or grappling, and could not be done without express consent (see above).

Bow attacks

• Bows have an acceptable range. Do not exceed this by undue arching (30 degrees is the rough limit)
• Wind can throw arrows off course – in high winds, the bow is not a safe weapon.
• Rain can increase the weight of arrows, soak the striking foam and make them dangerous. In rain, the bow is not a safe weapon.
• Do not aim for the head or the groin. To strike in either location is an error of shooting.
• Do not shoot past someone at close hand. The fletching may strike the unintended target on the way past.
• Do not parry arrows – they fly off at random angles and the fletching and knock can strike unintended targets. A static block is fine, but only recommended for shields.

Shield Safety

• Shields come in different sizes. All are entirely safe is used properly. There is no unsafe shield size or shape – only unsafe use.
• When defending at close quarters, take care not to drive the shield forward into your target. This is shield barging and is invariably unsafe.
• Do not strike with a shield – it is not a LARP weapon designed for purpose.

Safety Call – Man Down

• Man Down is an OOC call only. It is never used IC. Use ‘Medic’, ‘Healer’, or something else.
• Man Down means that a potentially serious injury has occurred, and that first aid is required. Do not call Man Down lightly – observe the stuation and quickly make a decision as to whether it is just a stinger, or something more serious.
• If Man Down is called, stop what you are doing immediately. Make your weapon safe, and stand still. Wait for further instructions from the First Aider or the GM.

Situational Awareness

• Use peripheral vision to remain aware of your own flanks.
• Make sure you know where you are putting your feet. Learn to quickly check your footing before relying on it.
• Take care where near bushes or trees, as these may snag weapons or damage them.
• Always be aware of what is in the path of your direction of travel. If being flung backwards, carry out a quick check to make sure you will not endanger yourself or others when doing so.
• Take great care when near cliff edges. Pay constant attention to your position with respect to the danger ‘zone’.
• When falling over, ensure it is safe for you to fall before doing so. If unsure, take a knee.
• When lying on the ground dead or unconscious, take care that you do not endanger people by your presence: make a small footprint of yourself, make your weapon safe. If needs be, move to a safer location.
• At night, slow your swings down, keep them horizontal and aim below the shoulder – don’t strike unless you are reasonably sure where you’re going to hit.
• It is everyone’s responsibility to look out for everyone else, but the ultimate responsibility for your own safety lies with you.

Environmental Safety

Footwear

• Stout footwear is recommended.
• Soles should be suitable for walking or fell running.
• Some support should be given to the ankle. The ground is rough and can stress the joints.

Clothing

• Ensure sufficient layers that you are not too cold.
• Ensure costume is flexible enough to remove layers to avoid heatstroke.
• Ensure costume can deal with rain, either by being waterproof, warm, quick drying, or quickly changeable.

Sustenance

• Ensure sufficient liquid that you do not become dehydrated. Doubly so in summer.
• Ensure sufficient food that your blood sugar is regulated. This is different for different people.

Safety hotspots on site

• The rock of death is a site where little or no combat takes place. It has slippery rocks, and a cliff edge on two sides.
• Barbed wire fences fence off parts of the site. Take extra care around these fences.
• There is a climbable stile on site, flanked by a barbed wire fence. No combat takes place here. Take care when mounting the stile.
• Cows sometimes can be found in the main and back fields. Do not approach the animals.

Person-Specific Safety Concerns

Some people have a safety concern that is unique to them (e.g. osteoperosis, diabetes). If you wish for this concern to be publicly cited as a safety issue, please email the committee: committee@pencethren.org

Reference Material

First aider list

• Ruth Steinhausen
• Alex Wells
• Lucy Perry
• Judith Owens
• Peter Woodhams
• Louisa Budd
• Andy Gregg
• Claire Fitter
• Amy Dunn
• Adrian Cooper
• Warren Jones

Insurance ‘Responsible Person’ list.

• Méabh Dobson
• Hannah Morrison
• Andrew Gregg
• Michael Brown

Bow comp checker list.

• Warren Jones
• Judith Owens

Insurance policy details

Can be found here.