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Safety - Is it more important than Authenticity?

© Megan McConnell

Let's face it - we have a dangerous hobby. Moreover, because of that, we have to make certain decisions about that hobby - such as the decision when to sacrifice authenticity for safety.

Some of the choices are obvious; such as using blunt/wooden/rattan swords, using blanks instead of live bullets, and using blunt-tipped arrows when shooting at people (despite provocation to do otherwise).

However, some choices are not that simple - and there comes a time in each re-enactment group when they have to make the decision to follow authenticity or to go the safety route. Moreover, it is these choices that can cause more trouble for a re-enactment group than any others are.

Others often decry groups that may sacrifice authenticity for safety as not being any good at re-enactment. Groups that sacrifice safety can be decried as being dangerous. There has to be a middle ground, and it is up to each group to see that they walk the fine line it follows.

Safety can mean more than keeping your opponent safe in a fight or battle. It can mean that the average member wandering around is safe. This can mean making decisions about tent ropes, or wearing glasses.

There are some re-enactment groups who make the decision that any wearing of glasses is forbidden. Some state that modern frames are forbidden. I personally would go with the latter rather than the former. For one thing, it is fairly easy to obtain a pair of rimless glasses (although if you have to wear bifocals then you will have a problem). However, forbidding glasses leads down the road to safety problems - and potential legal action.

There are some people who cannot wear contact lenses - or the situation may be one where contact lenses are not really safe to wear. In that case what do you do? Forbid anybody who has to wear glasses to be part of your group? You can try: however, you will rather swiftly find yourself in the middle of a discrimination suit.

It is these things that all re-enactment groups (and all re-enactors) have to look at when formulating rules and regulations about their groups.

Re-Enactment and Living History is all about being authentic, but let's face it: there is no way that a person living in the 21st century can 100% accurately re-create a person living even 50 years ago - there has been that much advance in technology that many of the things that were used or manufactured in a certain way are no longer available in the manner in which they once were.

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