Atlatl Safety
by Atlatls 'N More
11/17/2005
YOUR ATLATL IS A WEAPON, NOT A TOY:
For well over twenty thousand years the atlatl has been used to kill animals for food and for protection. It is no less deadly today. Throwing darts can be an enormous amount of fun... for you, your friends and your family. If you follow the basic safety instructions below - and use common sense - you can make sure that your experience with this hunting/ sporting device is fun and free from injury.
A SAFE AMOUNT OF SPACE:
Beginning and experienced atlatlists alike must have a sufficient amount of space to throw. Darts can be thrown farther than you might expect with minimum effort. Your throwing area should be clear of any obstacles. No houses, vehicles, pets, trees or anything else should be in your line of throwing. Several yards of open space need to be all around your target.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
- If there is any chance of a person coming into your throwing area, it should be marked with caution tape and warning signs.
- Your target should be pegged to foam or hay bales to stop your darts from going through and beyond.
- Darts can bounce off the target or any other obstacle and travel well beyond. In some circumstances the dart picks up speed after it glances off a target. Make sure there is enough space beyond your target to handle bounces and overthrows.
- NEVER 'lob' darts toward people, with or without an atlatl.
- NEVER throw a dart for distance without an adequate marked off space.
- NEVER throw darts over someone's head. No matter how high you aim there is a chance of a misfire. The results could be a serious, even fatal injury.
- NEVER throw over an obstacle where you cannot see your target area.
- Don't stand directly behind someone when they are throwing. Not only can you distract them, their throwing motion might injure you.
SAFETY WHEN THROWING IN A GROUP:
A safety director, preferably an adult with atlatl safety experience, can be appointed to coordinate a group that is throwing.
- When throwing with another person or in a group, it is necessary to make sure that all darts have been thrown before you cross over the line to retrieve them. Having a safety director to give an 'all clear' signal to the group so they know that it is safe to throw and retrieve is a good idea. If there is no safety director, you must ask each member of the group if they are ready to retrieve.
- It is recommended that two people pull all the darts from the target and hand them to the others. One person can stand at each side of the target to pull the darts ? first from the outer edge and then to the middle.
- NEVER stand behind the darts as they are being pulled from the target.
RETRIEVING DARTS:
From the ground: The proper technique for pulling a dart from the ground is to clasp the dart just in front of the fletching (feathers) and pull it backward at the same angle that it is sticking into the ground.
Do not pull straight upward and do not grasp it by the feathers to pull it out. Equipment could be damaged or broken.
From the target: The proper technique for pulling a dart from a target is to hold the target with one hand and grasp the dart with the other as close to the target as possible and pull straight out.
CARRYING DARTS PROPERLY:
- The point of the dart is the dangerous end of this weapon. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction? the ground is best.
- Always be aware of how you - and others - are carrying their darts. Do not walk behind someone carrying their dart improperly as they may suddenly stop.
- It is unlikely that you will ever need to run with darts in your hand (possible hunting situations being an exception). Always have control of your equipment.
- Don't twirl your darts around, especially when there are others near.
- Don't stab at people or any objects near people.
STORING EQUIPMENT IN BETWEEN THROWS
Whether at a tournament or throwing in your back yard, there will come times when you want to take a break. It is important for you to put your equipment in a safe place so that it isn't damaged or broken. A dart stand placed outside any travel area can hold darts and atlatls better than leaning them against a tree or vehicle. If not properly stored, wind, people or other causes might knock them down? and make them more apt to be stepped on or run over.
SAFETY TIPS
The atlatl and dart is a weapon, not a toy.
Adequate space is needed to throw darts
Never throw a dart if people are anywhere in front of you.
Make sure everyone has thrown before you go to retrieve.
Proper pulling, carrying and storing of darts can save you from injury and from broken equipment.
Adult supervision is recommended.