If you ask a group of non-fencers how safe fencing is, conjecture would probably center on the safety of the blade.  The non fencers would be reassured to know that deaths in fencing are few and far between.  In fact, more people die playing baseball each year than in fencing.

Ask a group of veteran fencers what the dangers of fencing are, and you are more likely to hear about pulled muscles, tendon injuries, and trauma to the ligaments of the knees and ankles.  Some fencers experience overuse issues with the elbow joint (lateral epicondylitis) not unlike those faced by tennis players.

Fencers are taught to suspend activity immediately if a blade breaks.  However, if they are properly attired in their mask and protective clothing, they have little to fear.  While today’s fencing gear is designed to reduce encumbrance to the fencer, the fabrics used, such as ballistic nylon, effortlessly repel the impact of a broken blade.  One fencing enthusiast mused that there is more danger of getting injured in a car accident on the way to fencing school than an injury on the strip.

Although the dangers of modern fencing in a well-run and conscientiously managed fencing program are few, failure to follow appropriate procedures and rules will jeopardize the safety of the individual fencer, teammates, and observers.  Several safety precautions (credit to Benjamin Jacobs, Fencing: A Parent Orientation and www.fencing.franklurz.com) in the fencing environment include:

1)     Never point a weapon at an unmasked person

2)     Never engage another person when you are not wearing a mask

3)     Always wear safety equipment

4)     Stop fencing as soon as you are aware of any unsafe factors (factors include broken blades, unsafe floor conditions, or an opponent who is not under control)

5)     Do not participate in unsupervised practices.

6)     Always warm up before fencing to prevent the likelihood of muscle, ligament and tendon trauma.

7)     Check your clothing for holes.  A trapped blade in your clothing could cause a serious accident.

8)     Unless you are a novice fencer, make sure you wear underarm protection.

9)     If you are a male fencer, wear an athletic supporter with a protective shield.  If you are a female fencer, wear breast protectors.

10) Protect your legs with appropriate pants.

11) Be aware of your surroundings.  Before stepping out onto an active floor, check to be sure it is safe (no loose equipment, no fencers engaged in a bout or practice).

12) When you are fencing, do not drive your opponent into a wall or other hazard because you are so eager to win a touch.

13) Don’t fence too close.

14) If you are repeatedly colliding with your opponent, stop fencing until you can correct the error.

15) Aggressive fencing is ok; violent, uncontrolled fencing is not.  Nothing you do should cause pain or harm.

16) When hit, don’t point at the area with your finger.  Instead, immediately acknowledge the touch in a clear, audible voice.

This is a lengthy list, much of which boils down to common sense.  With attention to these types of safety considerations, fencing can uphold its outstanding safety record.

A successful fencer must possess a rather large variety of different items such as, an outstanding positive attitude and a whole lot of extreme patience. For the beginner, they will need a fencing mask, jacket, glove, and a practice weapon or fencing equipment or a practice weapon, which is less involved than the obvious requirements of competition preparation. The main fencing swords used are the foil, the sabre, and the epee.

Many clubs will lend you fencing gear when you are just starting and doing a beginner course. Once you complete the course, and are hooked to it, you will be encouraged to buy your own set of gear. There are two different options for a beginner.

The first option is to buy the equipment piece-wise, until you have a full set. The other option is to purchase a starter kit, these kits contain all the basic elements of fencing requirements already assemble and sold as a unit. You have a list of required items, but what do you do with it? Prior to purchasing or using your own equipment it is important to have a solid basic understanding of both capability and purpose of each item.

Fencing jackets work to help to keep the fencer safe from harm. Choosing a jacket that is durable and offers sufficient protection is vital for any fencer. While the United States has no minimum standard of protection, Europe does. Thus, a stronger protection requirement applies in international events, like the Olympics.

When you are beginning, the standard costume will be more than sufficient. Your primary decision will be whether you want it in cotton or synthetic fabric. Cotton will probably be less expensive but it is heavier and warmer. Synthetic fabric is lightweight but it will cost a bit more.

The mask is also for protection so be sure to select a mask that has sufficient interior padding, does not press on the top of the head or chin, and fits with ease. Even though you can purchase non-electric gloves it is almost always worth buying a glove with a cuff that can be used for electric fencing.

This cuff lets you to effortlessly connect the body cord from under your sleeve to an electric weapon. These are sized either as small, medium or large, or in separate glove sizes. Going for gloves that are individually sized will generally get you a better fit but they tend to be more costly. The foil is intended for thrusting. The blade is very thin, with a rounded or foiled tip. Foil blades are flexible enough to bend upon striking an opponent, in order to avoid injuries.

A successful fencer must possess a rather large variety of different items such as, an outstanding positive attitude and a whole lot of extreme patience. For the beginner, they will need a fencing mask, jacket, glove, and a practice weapon or fencing gear during your initial training sessions. After you have mastered the fundamentals, you will be ready to purchase some items. Two possibilities exist for the newcomer.

There are two ways to proceed: you can either obtain each piece individually until you get a complete set, or you can buy a foundation set, which will have everything you need already gathered together and assembled. Now that you have all of the required apparatus, what should come next? Before buying or using any fencing equipment, you really should learn what each piece is used for and what it is capable of doing.

Fencing jackets work to help to keep the fencer safe from harm. Choosing a jacket that is durable and offers sufficient protection is vital for any fencer. While the United States has no minimum standard of protection, Europe does. Thus, a stronger protection requirement applies in international events, like the Olympics.

When you are beginning, the standard costume will be more than sufficient. Your primary decision will be whether you want it in cotton or synthetic fabric. Cotton will probably be less expensive but it is heavier and warmer. Synthetic fabric is lightweight but it will cost a bit more.

The mask is also for protection so be sure to select a mask that has sufficient interior padding, does not press on the top of the head or chin, and fits with ease. Even though you can purchase non-electric gloves it is almost always worth buying a glove with a cuff that can be used for electric fencing.

This cuff lets you to effortlessly connect the body cord from under your sleeve to an electric weapon. These are sized either as small, medium or large, or in separate glove sizes. Going for gloves that are individually sized will generally get you a better fit but they tend to be more costly. The foil is intended for thrusting. The blade is very thin, with a rounded or foiled tip. Foil blades are flexible enough to bend upon striking an opponent, in order to avoid injuries.

            If you ask a group of non-fencers how safe fencing is, conjecture would probably center on the safety of the blade.  The non fencers would be reassured to know that deaths in fencing are few and far between.  In fact, more people die playing football each year than in fencing.

Ask a group of veteran fencers what the dangers of fencing are, and you are more likely to hear about pulled muscles, tendon injuries, and trauma to the ligaments of the knees and ankles.  Some fencers experience overuse issues with the elbow joint (lateral epicondylitis) not unlike those faced by tennis players.

            Fencers are taught to suspend activity immediately if a blade breaks.  However, if they are properly attired in their mask and protective clothing, they have little to fear.  While today’s fencing gear is designed to reduce encumbrance to the fencer, the fabrics used, such as ballistic nylon, effortlessly repel the impact of a broken blade.  One fencing enthusiast mused that there is more danger of getting injured in a car accident on the way to fencing school than an injury on the strip.

            Although the dangers of modern fencing in a well-run and conscientiously managed fencing program are few, failure to follow appropriate procedures and rules will jeopardize the safety of the individual fencer, teammates, and observers.  Several safety precautions (credit to Benjamin Jacobs, Fencing: A Parent Orientation and www.fencing.franklurz.com) in the fencing environment include:

1)     Never point a weapon at an unmasked person

2)     Never engage another person when you are not wearing a mask

3)     Always wear safety equipment

4)     Stop fencing as soon as you are aware of any unsafe factors (factors include broken blades, unsafe floor conditions, or an opponent who is not under control)

5)     Do not participate in unsupervised practices.

6)     Always warm up before fencing to prevent the likelihood of muscle, ligament and tendon trauma. 

7)     Check your clothing for holes.  A trapped blade in your clothing could cause a serious accident.

8)     Unless you are a novice fencer, make sure you wear underarm protection.

9)     If you are a male fencer, wear an athletic supporter with a protective shield.  If you are a female fencer, wear breast protectors.

10) Protect your legs with appropriate pants.

11) Be aware of your surroundings.  Before stepping out onto an active floor, check to be sure it is safe (no loose equipment, no fencers engaged in a bout or practice).

12) When you are fencing, do not drive your opponent into a wall or other hazard because you are so eager to win a touch.

13) Don’t fence too close.

14) If you are repeatedly colliding with your opponent, stop fencing until you can correct the error.

15) Aggressive fencing is ok; violent, uncontrolled fencing is not.  Nothing you do should cause pain or harm.

16) When hit, don’t point at the area with your finger.  Instead, immediately acknowledge the touch in a clear, audible voice.

This is a lengthy list, much of which boils down to common sense.  With attention to these types of safety considerations, fencing can uphold its outstanding safety record.