Safety Rant

[sammyba83]

Attended a fairly large event this weekend. Overall, it was a fun time, but I saw something that infuriated me.

The host unit of the event, a fairly large Union infantry company, advanced on the field during the afternoon battle. In their wake, they left a fairly young soldier (late teens) sitting against a tree in obvious distress (it was a hot day in the 90's, and his canteen was empty.) No one from this battalion went to his aid, and when they marched off, they went right past him and left him. Finally, one of the members of another unit got the kid off the field and to a medic for aid. He was in rough shape.

I am for authenticity as much as the next person, but come on. Heat exhaustion/stroke is no joke. Safety is no joke. This unit, which apparently prides itself on authenticity and drill, failed in my opinion. There're plenty of ways to keep the impression going while still keeping everyone safe. I don't know, I love this hobby, did it as a kid and back into it now, but this discouraged me.

 

[Carronade]

Attended a fairly large event this weekend. Overall, it was a fun time, but I saw something that infuriated me.

The host unit of the event, a fairly large Union infantry company, advanced on the field during the afternoon battle. In their wake, they left a fairly young soldier (late teens) sitting against a tree in obvious distress (it was a hot day in the 90's, and his canteen was empty.) No one from this battalion went to his aid, and when they marched off, they went right past him and left him. Finally, one of the members of another unit got the kid off the field and to a medic for aid. He was in rough shape.

I am for authenticity as much as the next person, but come on. Heat exhaustion/stroke is no joke. Safety is no joke. This unit, which apparently prides itself on authenticity and drill, failed in my opinion. There're plenty of ways to keep the impression going while still keeping everyone safe. I don't know, I love this hobby, did it as a kid and back into it now, but this discouraged me.

I'm not a reenactor, but you're right, safety should be paramount. It might even add to the impression if one or two of his comrades helped him off the field.

 

[captaindrew]

That shouldn't have happened. I know some people don't like to see ice angels in the field but they are a must, particularly in hot weather. We have a few ladies in our bunch, my other half included, that have some medical training, and a least one of them all ways follows us in the field. I can't tell you how many times especially in hot weather they were able to avoid a bad situation. We all need to watch eachothers back also. When someone takes a hit somebody needs to make sure they are ok. Again that should have never happened

 

[Carronade]

Not a very good way to recruit or retain young people for the hobby either.

 

[unionblue]

As a one-time reenactor who has suffered from heat stroke during an event, I can only thank my lucky stars I was in a unit that safety always came first, canteens were always checked before going out into the field and line closers were constantly on the look out for fellow members in distress.

Those folks were there for me long before any EMT was at my side.

There's the lesson for all in this hobby, be safe and then have fun.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[infomanpa]

Maybe they thought he was acting?

 

[captaindrew]

Maybe they thought he was acting?

That's why when someone takes a hit they tell the guys around them they are about to do so, if they don't someone needs to ask them if they are ok to make sure that's all it is and they are ok and it's not a for real issue

 

[captaindrew]

It also shows how valuable an ice angel with some medical training is so important. They can spot someone having a problem sometimes even before that person realizes it themselves

 

[amweiner]

I agree with what all of you have said: safety must be the Number 1 priority in reenacting! It's easy for some to dismiss reenacting as cutesy play-acting, but there are very real dangers and - as all of you know well - people have died. Our unit also ensured that canteens were full before going into a battle reenactment, and our sergeants and officer constantly reminded us even when resting in camp to drink plenty of water.

I hope this young man will be okay. I've been down with heat exhaustion before and it wasn't an experience I want to repeat again.

 

[captaindrew]

At Gettysburg this year the company I fell in with required not only to fall in with a full canteen for battle but to have it on you at all times even in camp. I liked this and hope to try to get our guys down here to do it once our season gets going. And for anyone reading this that may be new to reenacting or thinking of trying it for gosh sakes try to get in at least a little exercise leading up to an event. I'm guilty of being in the too old and overfed to be authentic club but I do try to get out and walk a couple miles a few days a week and can't tell you enough how it pays off during an event.

 

[mofederal]

Safety is important when reenacting any period. Modern or ancient. Heat is almost always a problem. it never was for me though. Never in the Army or later. I always kept plenty of water, you have to stay hydrated. Once the heat gets you, it never goes away totally. It can make you sensitive to it. My great-grandfather got heat stroke bad in the Atlanta Campaign, but he recovered and did the March to the Sea and the end of the war. After the war, he told my mom he could never take the heat the same. So he ended up in other work and businesses. Heat is the biggest problem to a lesser degree bugs and other critters. While we were filming Gettysburg I saw more than a few people pass out during filming. Some in various scenes.

 

[amweiner]

At Gettysburg this year the company I fell in with required not only to fall in with a full canteen for battle but to have it on you at all times even in camp. I liked this and hope to try to get our guys down here to do it once our season gets going. And for anyone reading this that may be new to reenacting or thinking of trying it for gosh sakes try to get in at least a little exercise leading up to an event. I'm guilty of being in the too old and overfed to be authentic club but I do try to get out and walk a couple miles a few days a week and can't tell you enough how it pays off during an event.

I agree completely, @captaindrew!! I learned this the hard way at a WW2 event, where by some strange magic, I ended up as the Bren gunner. I hadn't been exercising much and paid for it, trying to haul a Bren gun up and down hills while wearing full kit. I thought my heart was going to explode, even when the rest of the crew took over for me, and took the lesson to heart. Even walking three times a week made a tremendous difference in my fitness for the next event, which was fortunate given that it was a Pacific Theater event and we had reenactors from Japan charging us with very sharp-looking swords. It helped to have the stamina to run like he--.

 

[mofederal]

Those Pacific events are **ll. Too hot in a lot of areas, when I did them long ago. The HBT's were too hot. I am glad G.I.'s never had shorts. I left the leggings on. As some one said there is a reason we reenact in the Spring and Fall. It just gets too hot. The weather was different in Europe in the Spring and Summer, and way different in the Pacific. The CW in the winter brings up a whole different set of problems. Cold, ice and rain, You put on more clothes, but keeping warm at night is a massive struggle, called shivering and no sleep. nothing like catching your shoes on fire, and it's so cold you don't know it. that I have seen and experienced.

 

[drezac]

That is a totally inexcusable situation. regardless of authenticity, safety must be our primary objective out on the field. The reality is that most of use are not used to working in the heat as they were in the 1860's ( considering that a majority of occupations required that). I am in artillery, and we are constantly keeping an eye on each other when on the field to ensure everyone is doing ok.

two of the best events I have seen for safety are Gettysburg and at Shiloh this year. There were either some type of first responder or event staff with a radio close to get help. a few years ago we had an injury on one of our guns at Gettysburg. The signal you needed help was a yellow flag that you raised. The reenactment was stopped, we had a first responder there immediately, and EMS personnel there withing minutes.

 

[D.H. Hill]

I'm not a reenactor, but you're right, safety should be paramount. It might even add to the impression if one or two of his comrades helped him off the field.

Absolutely it would! Even if you don't want to see "Ice angels" on the field there are generally 20 or so guys, most with full canteens RIGHT THERE. The practice of checking canteens before taking the field, especially in hot weather should be required of all corporals. Those guys were responsible for their messes (or whatever you call two comrades-in-arms) back then and should be still.

 

[drezac]

My wife just started reenacting with us. Her impression is a Chaplin (she is an ordained minister, which is why she chose that). She plans to be out with us carrying ice and water to assist us. as for canteens, we always send a water detail out before we leave camp to either fill our canteens or our 5-gal jugs so we can refill them in camp to make sure everyone has a full canteen. (for some strange reason, it seems like water is always quite a distance from our camp)

 

[CMWinkler]

I can't imagine a unit doing this. Maybe I've been lucky but the units I've been a member of or have even fallen in with, take care of their own.

 

[Waterloo50]

Agree with all of the above, perhaps reenactors should remind themselves that there's a reason why the military have always insisted on fitness and good hydration.

 

[johan_steele]

This is one reason I no longer play war. Sounds like that unit didn't have anyone in the ranks qualified to be an NCO, then or now.

 

[MaryDee]

The infantry unit I belong to strongly recommends using a diluted sports drink in the canteen in hot weather. The elctrolytes definitely help, and nobody else is going to see the color (although it is suggested to use lemonade flavor and color). And yes, the military does have a canteen check before each battle! No, I don't march; I hang out in the shade with the other civilian ladies on Civilian Row.

Labor Day weekend at Fort Stevens, at the mouth of the Columbia River on the coast, was in the upper 90s. It's extraordinary to have it that hot that close to the Pacific Ocean. I couldn't go, which turned out to be just as well--I can't take that much heat!