Underarm Protection

I suppose this is directed at the guys, since ladies' jackets have different protective designs...

Do you wear underarm protectors?

I haven't been using one. I got a jacket as soon as I started fencing because the club didn't have one that fit me. But I didn't buy an underarm protector until the other day and I haven't worn it to class yet. It feels restrictive, wearing that thing under my jacket but I suppose it may reduce the number and severity of bruises on my novice chest and arm!

Of course, I look at my bruise patterns in the mirror and run through my previous night's fencing in my head with pride! But my lady sees them and starts worrying that fencing is sadistic or something.

Anyway, just wondering if you guys wear them and if so, is the clasp in the front or back?

Thanks.

[Chris]

Originally posted by Fencer2000:
I suppose this is directed at the guys, since ladies' jackets have different protective designs...

Do you wear underarm protectors?

I haven't been using one. I got a jacket as soon as I started fencing because the club didn't have one that fit me. But I didn't buy an underarm protector until the other day and I haven't worn it to class yet. It feels restrictive, wearing that thing under my jacket but I suppose it may reduce the number and severity of bruises on my novice chest and arm!

Of course, I look at my bruise patterns in the mirror and run through my previous night's fencing in my head with pride! But my lady sees them and starts worrying that fencing is sadistic or something.

Anyway, just wondering if you guys wear them and if so, is the clasp in the front or back?

Thanks.

Yes, I wear them, and you should too!
THey are required at all USFA tournaments, and also in many other countries, even when using FIE jackets.

The underarm protector is there to provide extra protection under the arm, as there isn't anything between your armpit and your heart, except your lung - not the toughest tissue in the body. It is also designed to NOT have a seam where the jacket has a seam - so that is why is may feel weird at first.
I feel weird without mine.

If you get one that is the right size, you won't be restricted - and you will get used to the different feeling...

THe design also tends to give some extra layers across the weapon arm side of the chest, and generally speaking, even guys should be protecting this area, too; as evidence seems to indicated that the tissue there does not respond well to the repeated abuse.

Get one, wear it, and you will get used to it; just like any other new piece of equipment.

Fencing = Fun; But be Safe!

CHRIS

[Prometheus]

I agree 100% with Chris but also want to emphasize that underarm protectors are required for all USFA competitions (for all fencers, male or female). So its best to get used to wearing one so that you are not especially uncomfortable come tournament day.

Also:

There are several types of protector available. Some of the heavier cotton ones provide an excillent additional protection against bruises but can be more restrictive. Some of the thinner (speifically FIE models) are geared only towards added puncture protection and will not provide any added padding. These are lighter so they are also less bulky. I personally have no experience with non-FIE "strech" models but I would guess they are something of a compramise between the two.

But do note: the puncture resistance and padding are not related. The only indicator of actual puncture resistance is the rating on the label.

[Iwant2bafencer]

You guys are making it sound like fencing is a deadly sport! Is it really that bad? I thought that the protection you wear was pretty good to keep you from getting bruises, and things like that. Especialy from going through your body! (that was my impretion from watching it anyways.) Arent the tips of the swords covered so that it doesn't puncture your body or your suit?

[attila]

Hey Fencer2k

Yes, you are a rookie and you have a lot to learn. Years ago I was really pounding this ****ty fencer ( tribbet or something) in an epee bout. I had him down 4 zip in a pool round. I guess he didn't want to lose 5 zip to me because he launched this fully committed attack /fleche, I did manage to land the single light on but he just kept going, broke the epee on my fore arm, still kept going put the broken epee through my jacket at the elbow going through the other side then the blade went into my jacket at the arm pit, skipped off my underarm protector and went out again. Four holes in total through my jacket and when I checked my underarm protector there were still steel slivers on it. I have always worn my protector since. You should too...

------------------
"Kill the men, save the women, and by the gods, do not spill the wine"

Let me also clear up one thing. Ladies jackets are definately designed differently, but we too must wear underarm protectors as well as breast or chest protectors.

When I first started fencing I had bruises all over my chest. First my coach neglected to tell me about the undeneath stuff and then I didn't turn myself enough. Now the bruises are confined to my weapon arm and shoulder. Those are either from my coach cause I'm not paying attention or people with bad aim.

Wanna Be
As far as fencing being a dangerous sport, yes it is. In case you haven't noticed, you are playing with weapons. Your job is to protect yourself as much as possible. Tips on practice equipment may have a small rubber cover on them, but electrics do not. Either way, neither has a sharp point. With standards that have been set, the sport is relatively safe. However accidents do happen, usually from carelessness or faulty equipment. As with any contact sport you must use good judgement.

By the way full chest protectors are also available for guys. And don't forget to wear a cup.

[This message has been edited by Dame d'escrime (edited 07-08-2001).]

[Iwant2bafencer]

I have heard a lot of you talk about electrics. What exactly do you mean by electrics? Also what kind of a tip do the electrics have? Attila, OUCH! He must have been pretty mad that you were killin him like that. Don't they usually call a time-out or something like that when a sword breaks? Thats what I heard they did anyway.

--------------------

To Fence or not to Fence? That is the question.

[Chris]

Originally posted by Iwant2bafencer:
You guys are making it sound like fencing is a deadly sport! Is it really that bad? I thought that the protection you wear was pretty good to keep you from getting bruises, and things like that.

It IS pretty good - you just aren't wearing it!

Originally posted by Iwant2bafencer:

Especialy from going through your body! (that was my impretion from watching it anyways.) Arent the tips of the swords covered so that it doesn't puncture your body or your suit?

THis CAN happen when the blade breaks in the middle of an action; often blades break when people are straightening them, and often when it IS during fencing, fencers have the awaremness to stop their action; so it's not something that's happening everyday.

Originally posted by Iwant2bafencer:
I have heard a lot of you talk about electrics. What exactly do you mean by electrics?
Also what kind of a tip do the electrics have?

Most modern fencing tournaments are scored using electric equipment; don't worry, is on 12 volt DC power...Foil and epee have push button switches to tell when the hit is made. they are flat on the end; about the diameter of a pencil; though they are metal, so if someone hits you hard, it can leave a bruise.

Obviously there a groups that pursue 'classical' form who don't feel the this equipment fosters the sort of actions and technique they are trying to cultivate.
Perhaps you are involved with one of these groups.

Originally posted by Iwant2bafencer:

Attila, OUCH! He must have been pretty mad that you were killin him like that. Don't they usually call a time-out or something like that when a sword breaks? Thats what I heard they did anyway.

Obviously a 'Halt' IS called as soon as the referee realizes there is broken blade! Naturally, this takes time, and a lot can happen, even in 1/10th of a second -which would be pretty fast call by the ref'.

As previously pointed out, the underarm protector is required both for man and women, boys and girls - I didn'y mean to imply that they were for men only.

Normally, they close in front; you can get them with snaps, rings, velcro, or just paired straps to tie a knot: Obviously, elastic is preferred for the strap material.

Have FUN!

CHRIS

[Iwant2bafencer]

Chris,
Thank You for clearing everything up for me. That helped alot, although I still have a lot to learn. No I am not part of one of the 'classical' groups. I don't fence yet, but I'm going to try to find a way to start. The reason I say I'm going to try to find a way to start, is that the only fencing club that isn't three hours away is about an hour. So I'm going to see if any of the collages around here have the class. I have heard that they do.
Wannab

[Rick]

Underarm protection...

RIGHT GUARD (by mennen)...

[SteveMcDonough]

Damn you, rick... Beat me to it! lol

By the way.. I'd have thought the underarm protectors would serve as a kind of removeable washable bit. sponging up the sweat like that... I suppose that can make jackets rot. I'll bet it helps a little to have the bit you can remove.

Did you understand a word of that? I tend to ramble. Sorry.

Steve.

[HilandDoug]

It's not THAT dangerous. I've only been killed a few times. If it were REALLY dangerous, I'd have been killed a lot more.

[fred]

If you fence in a tournament, you will be required to have a protector.

For practice, a nice heavy cotton one will absorb some bruises. Yes, they can be a little restrictive at the shoulder, and you shouldn't be fencing from the shoulder, so you don't care. You can also imagine having 40 lbs of chain mail on and having to swing a sword, we have it easy.

For me, it seems like common sense, if you fence long enough, someone will break a blade on you (happened to me tonight, matter of fact), and a broken blade can be effectively a 'sharp' or live weapon. Even if it doesn't kill you, a punctured lung is not a good time.

I wear mine even in practice (which in some respects I think is more dangerous than a tournament, people are always fencing with their old "not good enough for tournaments" weapons, i.e. "most likely to break weapons"). If you are just drilling or taking a lesson, you can probably dispense with wearing one.

I wore my new cotton protector for the first time last night. And as someone suggested, I got used to it pretty quickly. For safety, I intend to wear it whenever I fence. I didn't use it during my lessons but, when fencing with other club members, it stayed on all night. I have fewer bruises today than usual for "the day after."

I have yet to see a blade break but I have seen electric tips break or rubber tips pop off during a bout. And a large fellow I fence with every week broke a blade on someone else a few days ago.

Thanks for the responses!

[tinasam]

WannaBe--
How old are you? Just going by your spelling and how very little you seem to know about the art of fencing, maybe you need to go to the Home Page of Fencing.net and buy "The Big Book of Fencing" and read it, no, read it twice. That will give you a MUCH better understanding.

YES you bruise, YES this is a real physical sport, hence the words "Attack" and these are real weapons.

------------------
I fence, therefore I am...


In My World You Can Slay Dragons Before Breakfast

[Event Horizon]

I never use an underarm protector...and yeah, i've gotten bruises too. but hey, the better you get the less bruises u recieve. Besides, what are a few bruises...that comes with any sport. So don't be afraid to get hit. Improve your skills my friend.

[saberkid]

an underarm protector(or plastrom) isnt to "prevent" bruises, or to lessen them, the reason underarm protectors are suposed to be used, is because you may notice theres a seam in the arm-pit of your jacket, well, lets supose that seam rips(wich is very well possable, and iv seen it happen more than once, in less than 3 years) the underarm protector is there, and theres no seam (in the pit) to rip, thats why your suposed to wear it at all times, its commen sense to wear it, regaurdless of how "restrictive" it may be, if its so bad, then maybe you need a larger plastrom.

my two cents

Chris

[ 08-20-2001: Message edited by: saberkid ]

[epeemike81]

Originally posted by Event Horizon:
<STRONG>I never use an underarm protector...and yeah, i've gotten bruises too. but hey, the better you get the less bruises u recieve. Besides, what are a few bruises...that comes with any sport. So don't be afraid to get hit. Improve your skills my friend. </STRONG>

Tell that to Mark Dembitz, the Brown epeeist who wasn't wearing a plastron when a broken FIE blade went through his FIE jacket, and into his chest. He was okay, fortunately.

You should ALWAYS wear a plastron.

[Craig]

From the Fencing FAQ:
Q. Does it Hurt?

A. Not if done properly. Although executed with appreciable energy, a good, clean fencing attack hurts no more than a tap on the shoulder. The force of the blow is normally absorbed by the flex of the blade. Reckless and overly aggressive fencers can occasionally deliver painful blows, however. Fencing *is* a martial art, so you should expect minor bruises and welts every now and again. They are rarely intentional. The most painful blows tend to come from inexperienced fencers who have not yet acquired the feel of the weapon.

The primary source of injury in fencing is from pulled muscles and joints. Proper warm-up and stretching before fencing will minimize these occurences.

There is a risk of being injured by broken weapons. The shards of a snapped blade can be very sharp and cause serious injury, especially if the fencer doesn't immediately realize his blade is broken, and continues fencing. Always wear proper protective gear to reduce this risk. FIE homologated jackets, britches, and masks are ideal, as they are made with puncture-resistant fabrics such as kevlar. If you cannot afford such extravagances, use a plastron (half-jacket worn beneath the regular fencing jacket), and avoid old and rusty masks. Always wear a glove that covers the cuff, to prevent blades from running up the sleeve.

Fencing is often said to be safer than golf. Whether or not this is true, it is an extraordinarily safe sport considering its heritage and nature.


Get more info at: The Fencing FAQ

Cheers,
Craig

[Iwant2bafencer]

Howd this get back up here? This was like one of my first ever posts to reply to. oh well dont mind me im just bored.