We’ve all done it. Moving along through life and everything is going our way and suddenly we are landing on the ground not really sure how we got there. All well and good, usually, with nothing more than our pride bruised or maybe a minor scrape. But what if this happens at a match, during a stage, and we are the shooter? DQ? Let’s step back from the dust cloud and look the situation over.
So what we know is we have a shooter who has fallen. Most times the shooter will scramble back up and continue the stage. As an RO, you were watching and if they broke the 180 or violated any other safety rule, you yelled STOP! right?
IMPORTANT POINT! Falling by itself is not a violation so if the gun stayed pointed in a safe direction and no other rules were violated they are good to go. Remember that if the fall dislodged eye or their only hearing protection they do need to be stopped per 5.4.3.
If they did not get back up and are perhaps hurt or shaken up then things change. As odd as it may seem, your first concern should not be if the shooter is hurt. The primary concern is where is the gun, especially if it is loaded, and how to get it safe. If the shooter is hurt, they are hurt; let’s make the scene as safe as we can first. In EMS circles we are always trained to ensure scene safety before assisting someone and the same thing needs to happen here. Even if by some chance the gun fired, even if someone was hit, get the gun secured first. It takes five seconds. THEN start doing the first aid things. As there should be multiple people able to instantly respond, someone take care of the gun then everyone else help the wounded.
The absolute last thing we need is for a loaded gun, maybe with safeties disengaged, laying around where it can be a potential problem. Think about someone picking it up that has no clue it is loaded. Especially if that person is a child. Get the gun secured.
If we are to the point where 911 needs to be called everyone needs to go put their firearms away. Common sense people. We are used to standing around with dozens of people wearing firearms and we think nothing of it. EMS and even law enforcement likely is not. EMS might even refuse to enter if there are firearms being displayed until law enforcement comes and clears the area.
Sending people to direct EMS to the scene can be a good idea if your range is remote. EMS probably is not familiar with “bay 6” so they will need directions.
It is a great idea to include a review of the club action plan when onboarding new members and annually with the entire membership. See the Club Action Plan article for further information.
In any sport where we are dynamically moving, falls are going to happen. Gravity sucks. But falling is not a DQ and the correct actions after a fall are very important.