LARP Safety

Combat in Memories of Annwn is represented with LARP Combat: fighting each other with LARP-safe weapons. While LARP weapons are designed not to injure, injury may occur through unsafe behaviour. This page describes safety rules that should be obeyed at all times while LARP fighting. Above all, the following rules universally apply:

• Unless you have been given explicit consent, do not make physical contact with someone else except with LARP weapons as required by combat.
• If a Ref tells you something is unsafe, even if it is not referenced on this page, stop doing it immediately. If you disagree, take it up with a Head Ref later.
• If you hear the STOP THE GAME call you must stop what you are doing immediately and stay still while the situation is addressed.
• Anyone may call STOP THE GAME if they believe it is necessary, including for unsafe fighting.

• Hit with the hitting edge - LARP weapons have a hitting edge and this is the edge you should hit with. It should be clear on the weapon which edges you should hit with (the edge that on a real weapon would cause damage), and if in doubt check with a Ref.
• Pull your blows - the goal of LARP combat is to lightly hit the target so they are aware that they have been hit, not to actually hurt them. If someone tells you that you are hitting them too hard then by definition they are correct and you should hit less hard. If in doubt about how hard you're hitting, check with a Ref.
• Never hit the head - the head is not a valid location to hit and all hits against a head can be ignored.
• Avoid hitting sensitive areas - being hit in the groin, breasts or backside is painful. Don't do it.
• Hits on hands holding a weapon count as hits on the weapon - flicking at people's knuckles while holding a weapon is again painful. Don't do it.
• Never stab except with approved collapsible tip weapons - LARP weapons contain a solid core that may come through and cause injury if the weapon is used to stab with, therefore you should never stab with a normal LARP weapon. The exception for this is approved collapsible tip weapons (which must be checked and approved by a Weapons Ref) with which stabbing is permitted.
• Never barge with shields - shields should be used to block blows but should never be used to barge with since they are not sufficiently padded.
• Never hit with a coreless weapon - LARP weapons for melee must have a core. If a weapon does not have a core you must not hit with it.
• Do not push in a weapon lock - if you are in a lock with another character's weapon (e.g. blocking a blow with a sword), it is not acceptable to try to win the lock with force: this can cause injury and damage the weapon. In such a lock, both parties should disengage and adjust their stance instead.
• Don't parry arrows - LARP arrows are only safe on one end. If you try to parry an arrow with a weapon, it will begin to spin in the air and will almost certainly hurt the person behind you, even if it doesn't hurt you. One end is padded and safe, the other end consists of thin, hard wood and plastic.
• Don't hit bows - The archer you're charging can't hit you with their bow, and isn't allowed to parry you with it; please don't hit their bow, as it is impolite, dangerous and potentially very expensive to replace.
• Don't tread on arrows - They're expensive, they break, and once broken they're very dangerous. Don't tread on arrows, and where possible move them so that no-one else will.

• Do not stand on weapons or shields - this will break them. If you see a weapon about to be trodden on you should highlight this OC. It is always acceptable to move a weapon out of harm's way OC and hits while you are doing so should be ignored.
• Do not use unsafe weapons - if a weapon is deemed unsafe by a Ref, do not use it. If you believe a weapon is unsafe but it hasn't been checked by a Ref, do not use it.
• Take care of kit that do not belong to you - if you are using a piece of kit that does not belong to you, it should go without saying that you should take care of it. This particularly applies to kit handed out from the Ref Team. In particular, don't rest weapons point down and don't push on the ground with staffs: both of these can damage the latex, foam and even core of the weapon.
• Weapons must be checked by a Ref before use - we will be following the guidelines as per Profound Decisions found here.

• Immediately call STOP THE GAME - everyone who hears this should stop what they're doing and stay still while the situation is assessed. For more information, see our Event Safety Policy.
• Seek First Aid if necessary - the identity of First Aiders on site will be made clear. If First Aid is needed then seek out, or have someone else seek out, a First Aider. It is better to be on the safe side in this case.
• Wait for a Ref to restart the game - it is our priority that everyone is safe and well. The game will only recommence with a countdown from a Ref.

Rules borrowed with permission from Divided We Fall LARP.

• All players wishing to use a projectile weapon must take and pass a bow competency test before using the weapon. A referee will test all projectile weapons. We will run bow competency tests before time-in at each event.
• Bow Competency can be revoked at any point at the discretion of a Ref.
• All bows must have a draw weight of 13.6kg (30lbs) or less, at the user’s draw length. If the bow has replaceable limbs, these must be fibreglass and not composite.
• No bow may have any mechanism for adjusting the draw weight once the limbs are attached.
• Nocks must be sound, showing no signs of cracking or splitting.
• It is important to note that no matter how a bow is constructed, if it is judged by a Ref to fire an arrow too hard and fast it will be disallowed.
• The only style of crossbow permitted is the “blaster” style which fires foam darts.
• All arrows must have a suitable head constructed and attached for maximum safety. The impact surface of the head must be larger than an eye socket, (50mm/2 inches), and must be securely attached to the shaft so that it cannot accidentally be removed.
• The arrow shaft must be blunt and not have a metal head. Shafts should be made of POC or a suitable alternative such as the fibreglass shafts specifically made for archery.
• All shafts must be properly flighted, and all arrows must have a proper nock securely attached. Aluminium shafts are not allowed, and we strongly advise the use of fibreglass, rather than wood shafts. Carbon fibre arrow shafts are not suitable for use.
• Arrow heads must be constructed to contain a layer of strong material over the end of the shaft, so as to prevent it working its way through the foam. Thick leather, thick rubber and similar are suitable for this. The impact surface of the arrow must be padded with at least 25mm (1 inch) of high-density foam, measured from the tip of the shaft. This must be backed in such a way that it cannot become separated from the shaft.
• All arrow shafts should be a maximum of 74 cm (29 inches) long, measured from the nock to the start of the head. The head of the shaft must be circular in section, not square or octagonal. If arrows are not circular in section they do not fly straight enough.
• It is recommended that all missiles are ‘over fletched’ (i.e. use larger than normal fletchings), as this increases stability and accuracy in flight by compensating for the over sized LRP arrow-head.
• Arrows will be judged unsafe if the weapon checker is unsure as to their suitability, they are potentially very dangerous, and anyone constructing their own should bring a sample head for the weapon checkers to cut open and inspect.
• Spherical golf-ball style heads are not allowed.

Borrowed from Memento Mundi LARP.

• Can you correctly identify unsafe strings?
• Fraying of string or wrapping
• Stretch marks on loops
• String too short for the bow being fired

• Fletching insecurely attached
• Head damaged or coming unstuck, or frozen
• Shaft cracked or warped such that it will cause shots to behave unpredictably
• Nock insecure or cracked

• Signs of cracking or lateral warping
• Insecure hand grip which could slip
• Cracked or overly grooved tips

• Can you correctly string and unstring your own bow?
• Unstring your bow when not in use.
• Can you correctly nock an arrow with the cock feather out and draw to loose with safe and controlled technique?
• Don't dry fire a bow.
• Always clean the nocks on your arrows.

• Don't shoot the head.
• Can you judge safe declination?
• Do you know how to vary the power of the arrow for range?
• Don't clout people with the bow, even if it's latex covered.
• Don't shoot anything below minimum distance, 12 feet.
• Don't fire an arrow straight up.