LARP-weapon safety check

Every time you are going to use your LARP-weapons, you must check them to ensure they are safe to use. At some LARP events, it may be necessary to have your weapons inspected by a designated weapon inspector. However, it's always good to know how to check the safety of your LARP weapons yourself.

Although the latex layer on the LARP-weapons primarily has an aesthetic function, it is important that the latex does not dry out too much, otherwise the underlying foam can also dry out. When the latex layer shows many cracks or splits, it can also affect the underlying foam when water can reach the foam.

Carefully look from one end to the other over the latex layer on your weapon. Small amounts of peeling, cracking, or bubbling need not be a cause for concern. If you see a lot of this type of surface damage, make sure you are extra safe during the rest of the safety inspection.

If you see large cracks or the fiberglass core protruding from the foam, the weapon is not safe to use.

Pay extra attention to the part of the weapon with guard bars on weapons. Crossguards can be prone to cracking.

Most LARP-weapons, except for throwing weapons, have a core made of fibreglass or carbon fiber. This core is layered between foam, which is then finished with latex.

The fiberglass core is the most dangerous part of the weapon when a weapon becomes damaged. When fibreglass breaks, it is extremely sharp and can cause severe injuries.

Therefore, it is of utmost importance that the core is not off-center. There must be 1.5 cm of foam on all sides of the core on the striking surfaces, meaning the part of the weapon with which you hit someone. On non-impact surfaces, the foam must be 1 cm thick.

If the core is not properly aligned within the weapon, the foam layer on one side of the weapon may be too thin.

To check if the core is off-center, gently squeeze along the length of the weapon. If it feels like the core is not centered within the foam, the weapon is not safe to use. If you feel that the foam layers are not thick enough, the weapon is also not safe to use.

Do not squeeze too hard on the weapon, as this can actually damage the foam or cause it to detach from the core.

The foam placed around the core is adhered to the core so that the foam stays in place. Over time, the foam layers can come loose, allowing the core too much room to move and eventually protrude from the foam.

To check if the layers are still properly adhered to the core, gently squeeze again along the length of the weapon, at approximately hand-width intervals. If you feel the layers move at any point along the weapon, the weapon is not safe to use.

Again, do not squeeze too hard, as this can damage the weapon.

The handle of each LARP-weapon or shield must be securely fastened at all times. If there is any movement in the handle, it can create dangerous situations.

Shield handles, in particular, are prone to coming loose, as they generally have smaller attachment points.

To check if the handle of your weapon or shield is securely attached, hold the handle in one hand and the length of the weapon in the other. Gently twist the handle. If you feel movement in the handle, the weapon or shield is not safe to use.

Do not twist the handle too much, as this can loosen the handle, which is exactly the opposite of what you want.

Throwing weapons should never have a solid core. They should not have sharp edges and must be larger than an eye socket. Also ensure that throwing weapons are not too heavy, as the impact can still cause injury.

To check the safety of throwing weapons, first verify their flexibility by gently squeezing them. If they feel like they have a solid core, you cannot use them.

Run your hand over the entire surface of the throwing weapon, from one end to the other, to check for sharp edges or points. If there are any, the weapon is not safe to use.

Finally, check the size and the weight of the weapon.

Arrows and bolts pose more safety risks s than most close-range weapons. They can have considerable impact and the impact can damage the projectile even after a single use. There is also always the risk that someone other than the intended target may walk into the path of the projectile and be hit in the head.

The main requirements for arrows and bolts are that they have fletches, the shaft is securely attached, and the overlap at the tip is soft and thick.

To check the safety of the projectiles, first verify how many fletches are on the projectile and if they are securely attached. Arrows should have 3 fletches and bolts should have 2 fletches. If the fletches become loose at any point, they must be reglued, otherwise the projectile is not safe to use.

Wooden shafts should bend evenly and without cracks. To test this, hold one end of the shaft with one hand. Hold the tip of the other end between your thumb, index finger, and middle finger and gently apply some tension to the shaft. If it bends unevenly or cracks, the shaft is not safe to use.

Fiberglass shafts should not show loose fibers or cracks. If you are unsure whether the shaft has a crack or just an impurity in the material, you can use the method for checking wooden shafts and also check the fiberglass shaft.

Aluminum axles must be bent and must not show visible kinks. Otherwise, the shaft is not safe to use.

The arrowhead must have sufficient overlap and be well attached to the shaft.

To check the safety of the arrowhead, press the point overlap frontally. If air escapes from the foam, the foam has open pores and is therefore safe to use. The point overlap must not be covered or taped with latex.

The width/diameter of the arrowhead must be at least 5 cm.

To test if the arrowhead is firmly attached to the shaft, hold the shaft in one hand and take the arrowhead in your other hand. Gently and carefully turn the arrowhead counterclockwise. If the arrowhead turns, it is not safe to use. Do not use excessive force when turning the arrowhead, as this may actually loosen the arrowhead.

Press your thumb against the arrowhead from the shaft's location. You should feel a cube or cylinder shape in which the shaft is glued. The arrowhead should not move upward while pressing it, otherwise it is not safe to use. You should also be able to feel a similar cube or cylinder on the other side of the arrowhead. This is to prevent the shaft from protruding from the point.

Your armor must be designed in such a way that you, any other LARP-ers, and their weapons cannot sustain injury or damage. The most important thing to check is if there are sharp pieces on your armor, such as burrs, sharp rivets, nails, or pointed parts that are truly sharp.

You can easily check this with the eye and by carefully checking the surface of your armor with your hand.

Besides the fact that the handle of your shield must be firmly secured, several other things need to be checked before you use your shield.

If your shield has a solid core, there must be at least 3 cm of foam and padding on all edges. The edges must also be rounded. You can check this by gently pressing along the edges, just as you check the foam on a weapon.

A shield with a hard core also needs at least 1 cm of foam or padding at the front to accommodate any screws.

Always check before using your shield if all screws are properly tightened. If not, tighten them with a screwdriver.

The wooden basic of the shield must be thick enough to prevent splintering. Plywood must be at least 1 cm thick. MDF can be 6 mm thick, as MDF is sturdier and also heavier.

If there are pointed parts on your shield, they must be made of foam and not of hard material such as wood or metal.

Shields are defensive objects, not weapons and should never be used as weapons!