Stabbed in the eye

[ESLyon]

Hey guys a few weeks ago during a historical sword-fighting demonstration my best friend from Alabama was stabbed in the eye, here's the news clip, there is also a movie:


Raleigh Preston

He is alright and at home doing well, although the doctors say he should not do anything that forces his eye to focus sharply or suddenly for a few months, he is expected to make a full recovery. He is very lucky because the sword went up into his eye socket and did not damage any muscles or tissue in relation to his eye.

[cornflower]

that blows.

I'm glad he should be alright then!

[noodle]

mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask. mask.

edit: glad he's doing well. but seriously, this would be why we wear masks in all circumstances if blades are in motion. you can be "in control" of a situation and have things go quite wrong.

[telkanuru]

BTW....



































Mask.

[JackOfHearts]

Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. Yikes!

I've had nightmares like that. Seriously, thanks for the reminder.

[MdA]

This is my biggest problem with historical...or stage fighting. They often do not use masks. I had an accident in high school when filming a historical fencing scene for a class project. It almost ended my fencing career. Never fence without a mask.

[Purple Fencer]

This is my biggest problem with historical...or stage fighting. They often do not use masks. I had an accident in high school when filming a historical fencing scene for a class project. It almost ended my fencing career. Never fence without a mask.

If you do ANY kind of stage fighting, it is vitally important that ALL the choreography be practiced at slow speed again and again and again and again and again and again and again,gradually increasing the speed as the moves become loked into muscle memory. Also, weapon technique plays a huge part...aiming a cut off to the side instead of actually AT the target, foe example.

The only injuries I ever saw with the SwordPlay team were minor cuts or bruises...maybe one every coupleof months....that's how good both their technique and training was.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Lucky guy. I bet he learned a lesson.

[Timberwolf_CY]

Reminds me of my CSM who did Kendo for five years, apparently with NO ARMOR....I just learned that yesterday...I won't get into that too much.

As for your friend...as what everyone else has said.

[ESLyon]

If you do ANY kind of stage fighting, it is vitally important that ALL the choreography be practiced at slow speed again and again and again and again and again and again and again,gradually increasing the speed as the moves become loked into muscle memory. Also, weapon technique plays a huge part...aiming a cut off to the side instead of actually AT the target, foe example.

The only injuries I ever saw with the SwordPlay team were minor cuts or bruises...maybe one every coupleof months....that's how good both their technique and training was.

It's not stage fighting, there is no choreography. In this particular group, historical accuracy and safety are top priorities, any clothing or apparel that was not 17th century could not be worn during demonstrations, and all costumes had to be inspected for historical accuracy.

Also, since there is no choreography, there are numerous safety guidelines in place, one of which the girl disobeyed (closing too much distance), and one of which Raleigh disobeyed (blocking to the inside). The combination of both rules being broken at the same time led to this very unfortunate accident. But, having been a member of this particular group and having gone through the safety course, I can say that safety is the number 1 concern, and the captain of the group is quick to give anyone a tongue lashing when they break the rules. Before you are allowed to free spar, you are required to go through a booklet of safety rules, and practice slow, safe sparring for a few months before moving on to more realistic sparring. The whole purpose of this group is to show what sword fighting was really like in the 17th century, and they come pretty close (imho).

But, having said that, I agree they should probably use masks, if not only for the fact that it would allow them to hit to the head (making it even more realistic). However, this is the only major incident this group has had in it's history, and it's about 5 years old and includes about 20 people.

[telkanuru]

The fact that you have rules about how to be less unsafe just makes the entire situation even worse.

[noodle]

But, having said that, I agree they should probably use masks, if not only for the fact that it would allow them to hit to the head (making it even more realistic). However, this is the only major incident this group has had in it's history, and it's about 5 years old and includes about 20 people.

you don't wear mask fencing foil because face is target, you wear it in case bad things happen.

[ESLyon]

you don't wear mask fencing foil because face is target, you wear it in case bad things happen.

/agree

I've just used the last hour to draft a letter to the leader of the group calling for them to use masks.

[erooMynohtnA]

It's not stage fighting, there is no choreography. In this particular group, historical accuracy and safety are top priorities, any clothing or apparel that was not 17th century could not be worn during demonstrations, and all costumes had to be inspected for historical accuracy.

Also, since there is no choreography, there are numerous safety guidelines in place, one of which the girl disobeyed (closing too much distance), and one of which Raleigh disobeyed (blocking to the inside). The combination of both rules being broken at the same time led to this very unfortunate accident. But, having been a member of this particular group and having gone through the safety course, I can say that safety is the number 1 concern, and the captain of the group is quick to give anyone a tongue lashing when they break the rules. Before you are allowed to free spar, you are required to go through a booklet of safety rules, and practice slow, safe sparring for a few months before moving on to more realistic sparring. The whole purpose of this group is to show what sword fighting was really like in the 17th century, and they come pretty close (imho).

So you can't block to the inside, close distance, or attack the head? Sounds like realism is super important. Better not wear those masks.

Seriously though, how does not parrying the inside or keeping good distance keep anyone from getting hit in the face? It's going to happen.

But, having said that, I agree they should probably use masks, if not only for the fact that it would allow them to hit to the head (making it even more realistic). However, this is the only major incident this group has had in it's history, and it's about 5 years old and includes about 20 people.

That's not really a stellar record. At the UW, we have a club that's 10 years old (or rather, I've known about it that long), and hundreds of people have gone though without one incident. I think you will find most other fencing clubs are similar.

[TBean]

It's not stage fighting, there is no choreography. In this particular group, historical accuracy and safety are top priorities, any clothing or apparel that was not 17th century could not be worn during demonstrations, and all costumes had to be inspected for historical accuracy.

Historical accuracy is all fine - until someone loses an eye. While I am glad your friend will not lose his eyesight, the fact that this is un-choreographed fighting is all the more reason they should wear masks. I am glad you are taking the time to advocate on behalf of wearing masks to this group.

[RITFencing]

Not to sound insensitive, but this year's Darwin Award Hon Mention goes to...

Speaking as a professional instructor and someone who has been around fencing for 11 years... I would never fence without a mask. It's just idiotic. I don't care nearly as much about things like historical accuracy as I do about, I dunno, depth perception.

[ESLyon]

/agree

I've just used the last hour to draft a letter to the leader of the group calling for them to use masks.

I hope it goes through.

[erooMynohtnA]

I would quit if masks are not allowed. I would quit and encourage others to quit. It wouldn't be a shame, it wouldn't be unfortunate, it wouldn't be too bad. It would be completely unacceptable to deny the use of masks.

[RITFencing]

I would quit if masks are not allowed. I would quit and encourage others to quit. It wouldn't be a shame, it wouldn't be unfortunate, it wouldn't be too bad. It would be completely unacceptable to deny the use of masks.

Seconded.

If you're looking for extreme historical accuracy on a way people used to maim each other, don't be surprised when this sort of thing happens.

[jeff]

Thirded.

It was historically the case that many fencing masters and experienced fencers had only one remaining eye. No need to emulate that for historical accuracy. Wear the mask.