I. "Responsibility Free War." What does that mean?
A. Remember you are a Chirurgeon here.
B. First Aid ONLY!!!!!
C. If it looks like it needs EMS treatment, call them! We are NOT here to do EMS!
II. Helping an injured patient.
A. Identify yourself.
B. Ask if they want help (i.e. Receive their consent).
C. Determine EXACTLY what it is that needs to be done and what the patient will let you
do.
D. AT ALL TIMES EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHY! This eases not only the patients’
concerns, but also those of the people around you/them.
E. If someone says NO - walk away. Observe them from a distance.
F. If they go unconscious, they have just given their consent. Please do not abuse
this. Check for airway, breathing, circulation and call EMS. If they come to and still
refuse, EMS can be cancelled (family/friends may bully patients in going to the hospital, you
MAY NOT!)
G. At any point while helping an injured person, they may refuse continued treatment.
This is their right and privilege, please respect it (I know it doesn’t make ya happy,
but…)
III. When do I get to remove/cut off the armor?!?!??!?!?!
A. Never!
B. Never!
C. Never!
D. O.K. - but only if:
1. The person is NOT breathing and EMS is more than 2 minutes away.
2. The patient ASKS you to.
3. You receive the patients PERMISSION before doing so.
IV. Reasons NOT to remove armor.
A. Patient denial of consent. (They said NO!!!!!!!)
B. Suspected spinal injury. (If a person is unconscious and breathing, assume a
spinal injury for the sake of armor removal)
C. If a person is laying face down and can not breathe, it may be that his face is in
the mud. Try pushing the grass, dirt, etc out of their face first. If this doesn’t
work, try log rolling (for spinal injuries).
V. How much armor should be removed and what to do with it.
A. Remove only that armor that is necessary to get to the injured part. (Armor
makes a great splint!!!)
B. Keep the armor together in a pile and assign someone (preferably a sword
brother/family member) to take care of it and return it to the patient's camp if
necessary.
C. Illness (i.e.: Heat exhaustion - ALL armor possible without risking the
patient’s modesty!)
VI. Removing armor.
A. Ask the patient or sword brother/family member to help you. Remember that all
armor is different and does not come off the same way.
B. Never cut armor unless it is a life threatening emergency (i.e.: Patient NOT
breathing!) or the fighter TELLS you to (and follow their instructions as where to cut,
etc).
VII. Helmet removal.
A. This is a specialized skill - do NOT attempt to do it unless it is a
LIFE-THREATENING emergency (patient has stopped breathing!)
B. If a spinal injury suspected DO NOT REMOVE THE HELMET! (except for CPR and rescue
breathing)
C. Always remember that removing a helmet can cause permanent paralysis. IT HAD BETTER
BE A LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY!
D. If the patient is trying to get the helmet off themselves, no spinal injury is
suspected and they ask for help, let another fighter (if possible) help them before you
do (unless, of course, you’re a fighter and/or intimate with their armor!)
VIII. Documentation.
A. If someone is hurt and denies treatment, get them to sign a waiver, if possible.
At a minimum write down their name, signs and symptoms if possible.
B. If you remove ANY armor, document why you did it, what you removed, how you removed,
when you did it (approx. time) and who you gave it to (if possible).
C. Always document treatment whether armor is removed or not.
IX. Demonstration of various techniques and hands-on practice.
A. Coming up to a patient and introducing self (Try not to make the patient turn
his/her head).
B. How to walk around a crowd and watch the patient.
C. Initial assessment (standing, sitting, lying face-up and face-down)
D. Stabilizing the head.
E. Log rolling (shields, poles, two-sword)
F. Helmet removal (motorcycle helmet style removal works the best and is quick)
G. Removing various types of armor
X. Discussion with the fighters, Marshalls and Chirurgeons present.
Notes that came out of the class:
1. Female/Male fighters may not wear much beneath their armor.
2. Female fighters menstruating. Don’t assume blood = injury.
3. Look for the little bits to cut, if necessary. Ask the fighter/friends which will
get it off (ie: this little knot here will release the chin strap).
4. Be wary of different designs, especially leg designs (on a harness, belt, or
attached to body armor). This will matter when you try to remove the body armor.
5. Listen to what fighter wants/needs. Some armor prevents a fighter from getting up
without help (turtle shells).
6. Gorgets make great temporary neck collars while waiting for EMS.
7. If a fighter won’t give up a shield, look to see what’s hanging on it (ie: glasses,
inhaler, epi kit)
8. Medic alerts can be worn anywhere and made of anything! (I wear one made of leather
around my ankle)
9. Marshalls are your friends - yell for them in battles if help is needed. NEVER YELL
HOLD - if it is that dangerous -LEAVE!!!!! The fighter is protected and you are not!
10. Marshalls are the ONLY ones who can remove someone from a battle!!! (Chiv and
Kings are considered Marshall - no nit-picking!) Take them aside and explain your
concerns concisely (NEVER get into a shouting match with a patient or Marshall!). If it
is serious enough, they will try to convince the fighter to stop fighting for now.
11. Fighters are more likely to listen to other fighters.
12. Fighters may want a Chirurgeon they are familiar with to help them - do NOT be
insulted by this!
13. Fencing gear - don’t forget the little button between the legs!
14. Fighters LOVE to talk about their armor, go to them and ask how they don and doff
it.
****************************************************************
If I refuse care and I am oriented and coherent (even if annoyed, preoccupied or angry)
that is my legal right.
It is up to me whether or not I go back to fighting, I am an adult with a signed waiver.
If you feel I am a danger to other fighters or myself, tell a Marshall of your
concerns. But quietly please, so if either of us is wrong, neither of us will be
embarrassed.
If I am injured, ask questions and listen to me and my friends and family. Like me,
they also know what is normal for me and how my armor goes on and comes off. Before you do anything, from slapping a cool cloth on my neck to cutting my armor, ASK
ME. Maybe I’ll like it, maybe I’ll club you like a baby harp seal.
****************************************************************
He/She is fine or will be in a minute.
He/She has a personal friend that takes care of his/her personal injuries.
He/She is fine or will be in a minute.
You are too intense.
He/She is fine or will be in a minute.
He/She is a First-Aider. EMT. Nurse, Paramedic, MD and will take care of it themselves.
He/She is fine or will be in a minute.
They don’t know who or where they are (this is extremely rare).
He/She is fine or will be in a minute.
It’s the same old knee, elbow, shoulder…and they will take care of it the same way as
the last fifty times.
He/She is fine or will be in a minute.
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