Archery has one of the lowest injury rates in sports and has an outstanding safety record when compared to other organized sports. Only badminton, bowling and table tennis have a lower injury rate. The National Archery In Schools Program (NASP) has instructed over 18 millions youth archers, most of them shooting a bow for the first time, without a single accident. There are a few simple guidelines to have a safe archery experience. Please follow them every time you use your bow.
1. Always Inspect Your Equipment
Check your bow for any damage including the bowstring. Also inspect arrows for any damage, loose points, or fletching. Follow any recommendations your equipment’s manufacturer offers.
2. Be Sure Of Your Target
Be sure of your target, what’s in front of it, immediately behind it and what is beyond it. Arrows can travel a long way.
3. Only Nock An Arrow When You Are Ready
Only nock your arrow when you are at the firing line and ready to shoot. Never walk or move around with an arrow on the string.
4. Only Point the Bow And Arrow In a Safe Direction
Once you are ready to shoot only point your arrow down range at the target. Never point the arrow at anything that is not your intended target.
5. No Horseplay
No horseplay on the range. Pretty self explanatory. Remember a bow is not a toy and an arrow is a fast moving projectile. These are not things to play around with.
6. Never Dry-Fire a Bow
Dry-firing a bow is firing a bow with out an arrow on the string. It doesn’t matter what type of bow it is, dry-firing can damage the bow, often beyond repair. It can also cause injury to the archer.
7. Follow The Range Rules
It doesn’t matter if you shoot at your local club, 4H organization, NASP or any other archery event, follow the rules of the range. It is your responsibility to find out what they are and abide by them. If you shoot in your own backyard, establish your own range rules using the guidelines above and add what makes good safety sense for you and your fellow archers.
Good Safety starts with good common sense and a few simple rules. Follow these 7 steps to stay safe and have fun with your archery journey.
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