9 replies to this topic

[The Legendary Graham]

Had a close call this year guys which could have been quite seroius had it not been for my choice of PPE.

Most people like to wear fireproof protection or hi vis jackets ect whilst firing but my choice of gear for the last few years has been heavy bikers leathers, lets be honest your not going to set on fire what you really need is impact protection and thats what my leathers provide.

1 week ago whilst firing a show a salute from a Homeland waltz cake didnt lift very well and came back down and exploded a few inches from my left inner thigh. It felt like id been whacked with a lump hammer and had i been wearing just the fire proof boiler suit i would have been left with a rather large hole in my leg, thankfully though due to the leather all's i have a week later is a bruise about 2"x2".

If your of the dying breed with huge spheres that just loves to hand fire or are new to this and are hand firing forget the fireproof boiler suit and get some decent impact protection on yourself.

[a_bab]

What was the caliber of the salute? 1.5" - 2" I guess?

[Arthur Brown]

Thank goodness you had actually thought about PPE. TLG I wish you a swift recovery.

What bothers me most is that some people still don't think about PPE til the accident has happened. I've actually seen a pro hand firing wearing shorts and T-shirt which sets a very poor example. Sadly there is little that will actually protect against the cannon ball injury of an errant shell, which makes electric ignition a very good idea.

The welder's fire retardant boiler suit is a first cheap and easy step towards safety and for £30 is very reasonably priced. You've just found biker leathers to be good but they usually don't come cheaply.

[The Legendary Graham]

The salute was a 1.5" flash powder salute plenty big enough to do nasty damage at such close proximity.

As for the cost of the salopettes i was wearing to cover my legs and body i got them for £10 at a charity shop bugger me i was chuffed to find a perfect fit.
They should have cost over £100 brand new I always check the charity shops for this type of thing as hand firing is the way i love the job. I would suggest to people who want better protection to do the same thing this is the time of year when the charity shops sell this type of clothing.

These are what i wear on my lower half

Edited by The Legandary Graham, 14 November 2010 - 01:24 PM.

[ToFe]

Kinky!

[phildunford]

Hope you are feeling OK!

This is a real issue & one that is not often mentioned, because we don't think it will happen to us. Having experienced three potential accidents on the last CAT 4 course from material malfunctions, I wonder if it is becoming more common?

I guess you have to wear what you are comfortable with. An instance being the opinion on polycarb or wire visors. People whose opinion I respect hold both points of view equally strongly!

[The Legendary Graham]

Thanks im feeling fine i took a whack and just got on with the show. Things like cakes exploding or dropping shots low seem to happen quite often thats why i dress the way i do, and i also use a wire mesh face guard with goggles underneath I wouldnt wear one without the other.

[fruitfulsteve]

I've often thought full faced motorcycle crash helmets would give good, face, head and ear protection plus have a certain amount of anti fog gadgets. I haven't actually tried this and was wondering why (apart from looking a bit of a pillock) they don't seem to be used.
Also very handy if you happen to be riding a motor cycle to the display.

[phildunford]

Would they not be a bit expensive?

Also, would you want to ride home with one if it got hit with burning debris? Don't know what effect it would have, but know they say not to use them again if they get dropped on the floor - I'm no biker though... Flaming explosives yes - bikes toooo dangerous!

[The Legendary Graham]

One of the Skyblazers team uses an old crash helmet whilst firing shells, cant get better head protection than that.