Pike Safety Revised July 2002

Contents Introduction and Bylaws Interpretive Clothing Scottish Culture History Music and Dance Military Life Language Bibliography, Sources and Library Materials

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS be aware of the objects about you. Be it a sword at your hip or a pike in your arm, think of it as an extension of your body. Not keeping aware of where it is in relation to things around you can be a costly mistake. Being aware of your weapon at all times is the first word in safety. The 10-foot pikes that we use to represent the 18 to 24-foot pike of our ancestors are every bit as dangerous.  You must be aware of them at all times.  When marching, you must be alert to everything ahead, behind and above you.  Tree branches are often a hazard.  Keep in mind that the head of your pike is often a good 13 to 15 feet off the ground while you are carrying it. The second word in pike/weapon safety is BELAY! If a command is called and you see something that may cause a safety risk, for example a distracted patrons walking in front of the pike line as they are about to charge, shout BELAY! This is our safe-word, if you hear someone shout belay, cancel the execution of whatever command was just given and go to either advance or order. In character you may be chastised by the commanding officer for countering his command, but this is part of the show, you will be thanked later for following safety protocol. Any one participating or interpreting or just watching the drills should use this safety-word if the needed, and this the only word that should be used. Other words are just too commonly used, the pikemen may not realize it is being shouted by someone in our group versus being shouted by a patron for un-related reasons. Occasionally an officer will become too involved in the drill, or in their character, and step too close to the drills. It is YOUR responsibility not to brain him with your pike.  If the officer bawls you out for hesitating during a drill as a result, do not argue.  Talking back to an officer would get a soldier flogged at the very least.  Explain to the officer off-stage that you were trying to save his sorry skull, and that he would be wise to watch himself closer. They will understand, and may have even planned it. Little interactions such at this are good at drawing the crowd into our drills, they all love to see a soldier being yelled at by an officer. Good crowd control must be maintained during all drills.  Corporals, musicians, or campfollowers can all be called upon to keep the public out of harm's way.  Posting people around the drill area also provides the public with members who can answer questions about what we are doing. If you drop something during a drill or while on the march, LEAVE IT! An officer or campfollower will retrieve it for you. If you must retrieve an item, say if the Captain threw your bonnet on the ground, either hand your pike to another man or ground your pike. NEVER try to pick something while on the march. Come to a complete stop, stepping aside of the other marching soldiers if needed, then ground your pike and pick the item up. If you bend over with a pike on your shoulder, the blade immediately becomes a face-level hazard for anyone around you. When racking the pikes, keep the butts well out from the rack so it has wide base, and a lower center of gravity.