LARP Safety

Combat in Anomalous is represented with LARP Combat: fighting each other with LARP-safe weapons. While LARP weapons are designed not to injure, injury may occur through unsafe behaviour. This page describes safety rules that should be obeyed at all times while LARP fighting. Above all, the following rules universally apply:

• Unless you have been given explicit consent, do not make physical contact with someone else except with LARP weapons as required by combat.
• If a Ref tells you something is unsafe, even if it is not referenced on this page, stop doing it immediately. If you disagree, take it up with a Head Ref later.
• If you believe someone is repeatedly fighting unsafely, flag this with a Ref.
• If you hear the STOP THE GAME call you must stop what you are doing immediately and stay still while the situation is addressed.
• Anyone may call STOP THE GAME if they believe it is necessary, including for unsafe fighting.

The call “STOP THE GAME” is our safety call. If you hear this, stop what you are doing and stay where you are so that the situation can be addressed. This is always an Out of Character call and should never be used in character.

The call “OC: ENOUGH” indicates that the speaker needs to disengage from the current roleplay for OC reasons (such as anxiety, feeling overwhelmed by the situation, etc). It may also be represented non-verbally by crossing one's arms in an X shape over their chest which is a gesture that should never be used in character. When “OC: ENOUGH” is called (whether verbally or not), all parties involved in the current roleplaying interaction should stop the current interaction without question while the person who called “OC: ENOUGH” leaves the In Character space, and then resume as normal. You may ask the person if they require company but must respect their choice if they say “no”. If the person does wish company you are not obligated to drop out of character yourself but may ask a Ref or volunteered Mental Health First Aider to do so. If you believe “OC: ENOUGH” has been called but not respected, call “STOP THE GAME”.

The call “OC: DIAL DOWN” should be used to indicate that the speaker would like to de-escalate the current roleplaying interaction without stopping it. This may be non-verbally communicated by holding two fingers in the air and waving downward. All parties involved in an interaction when “OC: DIAL DOWN” is called should de-escalate the situation - e.g. reduce volume or intensity of speech - and accommodate this request. When calling “OC: DIAL DOWN”, you may also specify anything in particular about the interaction which is causing discomfort – e.g. “OC: DIAL DOWN - please lower your voice,” or “OC: DIAL DOWN - I don't want to talk about addiction.”

• Hit with the hitting edge - LARP weapons have a hitting edge and this is the edge you should hit with. It should be clear on the weapon which edges you should hit with (the edge that on a real weapon would cause damage), and if in doubt check with a Ref.
• Pull your blows - the goal of LARP combat is to lightly hit the target so they are aware that they have been hit, not to actually hurt them. Attendees should be aware that everyone's comfort level with being hit will differ. If someone tells you that you are hitting them too hard then by definition they are correct and you should hit less hard. If you need advice on how to better pull your blows, talk to a Ref. If someone is repeatedly hitting too hard, highlight this to a Ref.
• Never hit the head - the head is not a valid location to hit and all hits against a head can be ignored.
• Avoid hitting sensitive areas - being hit in the groin, breasts or backside is painful. Don't do it.
• Hits on hands holding a weapon count as hits on the weapon - flicking at people's knuckles while holding a weapon is again painful. Don't do it.
• Never stab except with approved collapsible tip weapons - LARP weapons contain a solid core that may come through and cause injury if the weapon is used to stab with, therefore you should never stab with a normal LARP weapon. The exception for this is approved collapsible tip weapons (which must be checked and approved by a Weapons Ref) with which stabbing is permitted.
• Never push with shields - shields should be used to block blows but should never be used to strike with since they are not sufficiently padded. Pushing with shields – whether a person or a weapon and whether with force or not – is unsafe.
• Never hit with a coreless weapon - LARP weapons for melee must have a core. If a weapon does not have a core you must not hit with it.
• Do not push in a weapon lock - if you are in a lock with another character's weapon (e.g. blocking a blow with a sword), it is not acceptable to try to win the lock with force: this can cause injury and damage the weapon. In such a lock, both parties should disengage and adjust their stance instead.
• Archery is not allowed.

• Do not stand on weapons or props - this will break them. If you see a weapon about to be trodden on you should highlight this OC. It is always acceptable to drop OC to move a weapon or prop out of harm's way.
• Do not use unsafe weapons - if a weapon is deemed unsafe by a Ref, do not use it. If you believe a weapon is unsafe but it hasn't been checked by a Ref, do not use it.
• Take care of kit that do not belong to you - if you are using a piece of kit that does not belong to you, it should go without saying that you should take care of it. This particularly applies to kit handed out from the Ref Team. In particular, don't rest weapons point down and don't push on the ground with staffs: both of these can damage the latex, foam and even core of the weapon.
• Weapons must be checked by a Ref before use - we will be following the guidelines as per Profound Decisions found here.

• Immediately call STOP THE GAME - everyone who hears this should stop what they're doing and stay still while the situation is assessed.
• Seek First Aid if necessary - the identity of First Aiders on site will be made clear. If First Aid is needed then seek out, or have someone else seek out, a First Aider. It is better to be on the safe side in this case.
• When it is safe to do so, restart the game - it is our priority that everyone is safe and well. The game will only recommence when everyone in the area is happy to do so by being counted down – preferably by a Ref or member of Crew if one is present.

• Anomalous permits the use of Prop Firearms provided that they are clearly props and unable to be mistaken for a genuine firearm.
• “Cap Guns”, BB Guns (regardless of colouring), and other replica or imitation firearms are expressly forbidden.
• NERF Guns or other foam dart guns are acceptable but must not be used to fire darts.
• If in doubt, contact the Refs prior to bringing a prop to the event.
• Prop Guns must be approved prior to use and the Ref Team reserves the right to refuse to approve a Prop Gun for any reason.

• Fighting in the dark is inherently riskier than on the light due to not being able to fully see. Therefore:
  • Pull your blows more than usual
  • Fight slower to make sure you are fighting safely
  • Keep an extra eye out for your footing
• If you bring light do not shine it at head height as this will dazzle people.
• If you believe it is too dark for you to fight safely, you can remove yourself to an out-of-character area using the OC: ENOUGH safety call as with any situation in which you do not feel comfortable continuing to roleplay. When you are ready to return, consult the Encounter Ref who will guide your return to the IC area.