Table of Contents

LARP Safety Rules

Because LARPs involve running around in the woods swinging swords at people, it's potentially very easy for accidents to happen; especially when people aren't used to LARPing or get a bit carried away. For this reason, there are a number of important Out of Character rules which are reiterated during the Safety Brief at the start of each LARP and must always be followed. Not only do they stop accidents happening, they also help give a good impression to the public and help make things more fun for everyone involved.

Just because something isn't mentioned during the pre-game safety briefing or on this page doesn't mean that it's safe to do - if you're asked to stop doing something during a LARP by the LARP organiser or GM because they don't feel that it's safe, stop doing it. If you think you should be allowed to do it, don't argue about it then and there, raise the issue after the LARP and talk to the LARP Organiser about it either in person or over email.

There are three main aspects to LARP Safety:

Before Bows or Crossbows may be used by players they must first undergo a Competency test from someone who is already trained.

Weapon Safety

Combat Safety

Time Calls

Bow Competency Test

Basic Criteria for Competency

Technical Safety
Can you correctly identify unsafe arrows?
Can you correctly identify unsafe staves or mechanisms?

Technique Competency

Usage Safety

Test Procedure

Demonstrate the ability to string your bow, correctly nock, draw and loose ten arrows at designated targets and then unstring the bow. For at least some of these shots, the target will be the administrator holding a shield at different heights and ranges.

Examine the following pieces of equipment:

The administrator will ask at least five of the following questions. Incorrectly answering any one question requires correction at the end of the test, but is not an automatic failure. Incorrectly answering two questions will fail the applicant.

Crossbow Competency Test

Basic Criteria for Competency

Technical Safety
Can you correctly identify unsafe bolts?
Can you correctly identify unsafe staves or mechanisms?

Technique Competency

Usage Safety

Test Procedure

Demonstrate a reasonable familiarity with the working principles of, and thus the points of potential mechanical damage to, the bow.

Demonstrate the ability to load your bow, and fire ten bolts at designated targets. For at least some of these shots, the target will be the administrator holding a shield at different heights and ranges. Typically, this test must include the administrator requesting at least one illegal shot (e.g. inside minimum range, head-shot, etc.) and the candidate refusing.

Examine the following pieces of equipment: One damaged bolt, identify all defects.

Fire an arrow at what you judge to be the highest safe declination which will not cause the bolt to deviate from a safe flight.

The administrator will ask at least five of the following questions. Incorrectly answering any one requires correction at the end of the test, but is not an automatic failure. Incorrectly answering two questions will fail the applicant.