Appendix B - Safety Precautions During Training

APPENDIX B

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS DURING TRAINING

1. General Safety Precautions

When training close combat techniques, certain safety precautions must be adhered to to prevent injuries.

Most training should be conducted on a training area with soft footing such as a sandy or grassy area. If training mats are available, they should be used. A hard surface area is not appropriate for close combat training.

All techniques should be executed slowly at first. Marines can increase the speed of execution as they become more proficient. Marine-on-Marine training that requires contact (chokes, throws, ground fighting, and unarmed restraints and manipulation) should not be executed at full force or full speed.

If a technique is applied to the point that a Marine is uncomfortable, the Marine must “tap out.” This indicates immediate release of the pressure being applied or to immediately stop the technique. The Marine “taps out” by firmly tapping his hand several times on any part of the opponent’s body that will get his attention or by saying stop.

Second Impact Syndrome occurs when a second concussion develops within hours, days, or weeks following a prior concussion (and before recovery from the first concussion). Second Impact Syndrome causes rapid brain swelling and can cause death. Marines who experience headaches or other symptoms following training must be examined by appropriate medical personnel. These symptoms can include, but are not limited to, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, dialation of the pupils, bleeding from the ears or mouth, slurred speech, swelling in head or neck area, or any unnatural discoloration of head or neck. They should not be allowed to participate in pugil stick training or any other activity where a heavy blow might be sustained for a minimum of 7 days after the symptoms have subsided.

2. Safety Precautions for Individual Techniques

Falls

When training Marines to fall, they should progress from the ground, to a kneeling or squatting position, and then to a standing position. This ensures they are comfortable and understand the technique before progressing to executing falls from a higher profile. This instructional technique vastly reduces the risk of injury.

Strikes and Punches

When training Marines to strike and punch, they begin by executing the techniques "in the air." As they become more proficient, they execute strikes on equipment (when available) such as an air shield or a heavy bag. At no time should they be permitted to execute strikes on another student.

Chokes and Ground Fighting Chokes

When training Marines to execute chokes, they will not apply pressure to the opponent’s throat during training because the trachea and windpipe can be crushed. During training, Marines should practice the proper procedures for blood chokes. They should never execute air chokes. At no time during training should a choke be applied at full force or full speed. No choke should be held for longer than 5 seconds.

Unarmed Restraints and Manipulation

When training Marines to execute unarmed restraints and manipulation techniques, they utilize slow and steady pressure. Never apply these techniques at full force or at full speed.

Pugil Stick Training

A blow to the head during training will bruise the brain. A second blow to the head can cause death. This is known as the Second Impact Syndrome. There must be 7 days between pugil stick training to prevent injury or death.