We have all seen it happen; that tragic moment when someone on the battlefield gets hurt. No one wants to see this occur, no one it to be them, and most of us are in denial that it could be us next.
A short time ago a good friend of mine was wielding a spear in practice. An unlucky shot caught him in the hand just right and broke his pinky finger. He didn't think it was that serious but we all convinced that he should go to a doctor. It was a good thing that he did. He had damaged the tendons in his hand and the injury required surgery. This cost him time off work, he was unable to practice for 2 months while his hand recovered, he went through physical therapy, and he has only regained partial movement to his pinky finger.
This could have all been prevented by wearing some type of protective gloves. I would like to propose the addition of a rule that says that we should all wear safety glasses, gloves and knee pads while fighting. 90% of the injuries that I have witnessed in years I've been playing this sport have been to these three areas. Thankfully they have for the most part been minor.
Personally I wear safety glasses, a pair of motocross gloves, and some knee pads that I picked up with a roller blade set. I can tell you that my safety glasses have saved me from pain more than once.
Out of all of these suggestions I believe that the eye protection is most important. I have yet to see a serious eye injury result from game play but the potential could be devastating. I see multiple face shots at virtually every practice and event that I have attended.
Secondarily safety glasses come in a variety of styles and lens styles. They come shaded like sunglasses, clear, clear with UV protection, etc. If you have prescription glasses then you can get prescription safety glasses.
I realize that our weapons are designed to no be able to fit an eye socket, but all it takes is for one flying rock or stick kicked up during a battle to hit someone in the eye and we could have a serious eye injury. And if I had a dollar for every time that I have seen someone get a minor scrape across the eye from a weapon shot I could buy a new car. Anyway I will leave this open to your discussion and thought. I have about $50 invested in my own safety equipment. If a $50 investment could save you thousands of dollars in medical expenses, time lost from work, pain, suffering isn't that $50 well spent?