Fencing Draft:Inspections

This outlines a basic overview of the key points of an inspection at training or events.

The items to check, listed below, are not meant to cover every item in the rules. Marshals are encouraged to use their best judgement to conduct any aspect of an inspection more thoroughly.

Note: Penetration-resistant material, masks and blade flexibility must be tested at least every two years, separate to inspections at events. For more information about these tests see Safety tests.

General

1. If you are an authorised Fencing Marshal, you can check equipment to make sure it complies with the rules. Requirements for fencing equipment are in Protective equipment and Weapons and defensive equipment.
2. Your job includes:
   • making sure each fencer is wearing all of their protective clothing and equipment, and that it is fitted properly, with only incidental gaps between each item.
   • checking that weapons comply with the rules, including that blunts are securely fixed, blades and spears meet the flexibility requirements, rubber band guns function properly and all weapons have no sharp points, edges or burrs.
   • inspecting protective defensive objects to make sure meet the rules, and that they have no sharp edges, corners or breaks.
3. Some equipment must be tested regularly (see Safety tests). If you are not sure a piece of equipment has been tested, you can decide to do the test, or instruct the fencer to have the test done, before it can be used.
4. Some defensive objects are classified as non-standard. The Fencing marshal-in-Charge is responsible for deciding if non-standard equipment complies with the rules and can be used on the field.
5. You can rule that a piece of equipment does not meet these rules and cannot be used:
   1. If that happens, the equipment can be changed or repaired, and then it must be brought back to you so that you can inspect it again. It cannot be taken to another marshal unless you delegate the issue.
6. If you are not sure about a piece of equipment, you should seek advice from another marshal or the Marshal-in-Charge.
7. Fencers are allowed to appeal against your ruling on a piece of equipment, but the equipment is not allowed to be used until the appeal has been decided. The process for an appeal is in Rules for managing incidents.

Inspecting protective equipment

General

1. When inspecting protective equipment, you may not be able to see every part of the equipment. In these cases, ask the fencer about their equipment to check that they know the rules and believe they are wearing the right equipment.
2. You might have to ask the fencer to touch or manipulate their protective equipment to check that it meets the rules and fits properly.

Overall inspection

1. Check what type of combat the fencer is planning to participate in. Check that they have the appropriate level of protection for that category (for example, that they are wearing of rigid back-of-head protection and resilient padding on elbows and knees for Cut and Thrust Combat).
2. You might have to ask the combatant what their penetration-resistant clothing is made of. For example, it may be a combination of a penetration-resistant doublet and reinforced underarms sewn into their undershirt. If you cannot see the undershirt in this scenario, ask them if they're wearing it.
3. Ask the fencer to adopt a common combat pose, such as a lunge, to check that there are no substantial gaps in their penetration-resistant clothing.
4. Check that the fencer is wearing rigid neck protection. You must inspect the neck protection on the fencer with the mask off to ensure it sits properly and covers the required areas.
5. Ask the fencer if they are wearing the appropriate groin protection and rigid protection on any vulnerable body part. It is up to them to know what they need to wear.

Inspecting masks and helms

1. Inspect the mask or helm before the fencer puts it on.
2. Check that the materials meet the rigid material standard, and do not have excessive rust or dents that could weaken the material.
3. If you are concerned about the face mesh on a fencing mask, you can test it using a standard commercial 12 kg mask punch.
4. Look inside the mask or helm to check that it has no substantial protrusions, such as sharp wire coming loose, and that there is enough padding or a proper suspension to prevent it from hitting the fencer's head.
5. After the fencer puts on the mask or helm, check that it fits snugly in a way that should prevent the mask from hitting the fencer's head or face. You may need to ask the fencer push or pull on the mask or helm to make sure it doesn't come into contact with their head or face.
6. Check that the mask is secured by a second fastening below the jawline.

Inspecting gloves

1. Gloves must be made of at least abrasion-resistant material.
2. Check for any significant openings, breaks or cuts that could allow the point or edge of a blade to make contact with the skin.

   Note: Stitches in sewn leather can cause small gaps at the seams. These should be acceptable if there is no sign of the seam failing during combat.

3. Check that the gloves provide enough coverage to make sure that no skins shows between the glove and the fencer's sleeves. Ask the fencer to adopt a common fencing pose such as a lunge, to check that there are no substantial gaps when they move.
4. For Cut and Thrust Combat:
   1. Check that the fencer's hand protection (combination of glove and/or sword or defensive object) has enough padding or rigid protection.
   2. If their gloves only have padded protection, remind them that they are not allowed to fight with or against a two-handed weapon.
   3. Ask the combatant to hold their weapon or defensive object as they would in combat.
   4. Check that the combined protection covers the back of the hands, fingers, and 2.5 cm above the wrist to protect against percussive cuts from normal and reasonable angles. An appropriate test is: can you see a straight line, approximately 10 cm long, into which a sword could cut with the edge on any part of the back of their hands, fingers, or wrist?
   5. A shield alone is not sufficient in Lochac, since it covers only the back of the hand, but not the wrist, fingers or thumb.

Inspecting weapons

Inspecting bladed weapons

1. Inspect the overall weapon:
   1. Check that the length meets the rules for daggers, swords and two-handed swords.
   2. Check that the weapon is in good condition - for example, that it isn't likely to fall apart during a fight.
2. Inspect the blade:
   1. Check for nicks that could cut an opponent. You can do this visually and by running a gloved hand lightly along the edges of the blade. Run your hand in both directions. Be careful - a potentially harmful nick could also injure you. If the blade has substantial nicks, they will need to be filed or sanded before the weapon can be used.
   2. Look down the length of the blade to look for kinks, cracks or bends.
   3. Kinked or cracked blades cannot be repaired and must be retired.
   4. Fencers must not use a blade with a sharp bend or an "S" curve. They can try to re-curve the blade, but you must re-inspect the blade and agree that it can be used again.
   5. Check the flexibility of the blade. If in doubt, check the blade using the flexibility test in Safety tests.
3. Inspect the blunt:
   1. Check the blunt visually for cracks, bulging, or discoloration, or any other signs that the sword is starting to punch through the blunt.
   2. Frequently, it isn't possible to check the internal components of the blunt. For example, if the blunt is made of leather, it might not be possible to check that the leather is thick enough. Ask the fencer about how the blunt was made, to check that they know the rules and that their blunt meets the requirements of the rules.
   3. If the blunt does not meet the requirements, it must be replaced before the weapon can be used.
   4. Check that the blunt is unlikely to come off during combat, by pulling on it.
4. Inspect the guard:
   1. Check that the different parts of the guard are securely - for example that a bar is not broken, or that welded parts are secure.
   2. Check that the quillons and pommels do not have sharp or pointed ends.

Inspecting rubber band guns

1. Rubber band guns must be inspected in a place that is out of range of any unarmoured participants or spectators.
2. The people conducting the inspection (the marshal and the combatant) must wear full face protection during the inspection.
3. It is recommended, but not required, that the operator is shot (wearing full protection) by their own weapon – if you are not comfortable being hit by something, maybe you shouldn't be hitting other people with it!
4. Check for any major splinters or nicks in the gun that could injure an opponent.
5. Check that the different components of the gun are securely fastened - for example if the gun has a separate barrel.
6. Check the ammunition to ensure it contains no metal parts or fillings.
7. Ask the fencer or gunner when the ammunition was last tested for draw strength. If in doubt, check the draw strength using the ammunition test in Safety tests.
8. Check the draw length of the rubber band gun. For long-arm rubber band guns with a draw length of more than 45 cm, check the circumference of the ammunition is at least the same as the draw length. Flatten two rubber bands in half and use that to measure against the draw length, as shown in figure X.
   

   Figure X. Draw length of a rubber band gun
9. Select a piece of ammunition to check that the gun operates properly.
   • Ask the combatant to load the weapon, wait 10 seconds and then discharge the weapon into the ground, to check that the rubber bands are properly secured when loaded.

Inspecting spears

1. Inspect the head
   1. Check that the rubber tip is flexible, and returns substantially to its original shape within 3 seconds.
   2. A marshal should not use significant force to make a spear head bend; you should not need more pressure than can be comfortably applied by the wrist. If in doubt and where possible, a second marshal should be used to judge the flexibility of the spear head.
   3. Check that the head is securely fastened to the haft.
2. Inspect the haft
   1. Check that the haft is made of rattan.
   2. Check that the haft is between 28.5 mm and 35 mm.
   3. Check that the spear is no longer than 275 cm.
   4. Check that the haft does not have dangerous splinters, nicks or protrusions.

Inspecting defensive objects

1. Check for any major splinters, nicks, or features that could injure an opponent.
2. Check if a cloak or non-rigid defensive object contains any rigid parts. If it does, remind the opponent that they may not throw it at their opponent.
3. Check any non-standard parts. Remember that the Fencing Marshal-in-Charge is responsible for approving non-standard defensive objects.