"Sorry for missing you at flipside."
Me too. I wrote a message on your behalf in the temple for the temple burn.

"peopl should know to bring their own"
Well, having a spotter at all violates radical self-reliance, if you want to get picky.

Not everyone who shows up at Flipside comes with a good spotter. I want everyone to be able to come to the fire circle and just jam. I had spinners I know sign up for 2-hour spotter shifts. We had two busy nights at the fire circle, with performers lined up 3 deep to go on (waiting both because of the number of available spotters and available space). If we had to coordinate spotter hand-offs, it would have gotten complicated.

The night of the effigy burn is another story--there are so many fire folk lit up at once that I'd pretty much take anyone who was willing to be a spotter. Which explains how you wound up with a deer-in-headlights spotter last year. It's exactly this scenario I want to avoid, and why I got to thinking about spotter training in the first place.

demonstrating what a fuel dump fire looks like is also probably a good idea. I've seen people run from paint cans as though they expected them to explode. I also have seen someone turn over a (not empty) fuel can to try to put it out. Showing people how to smother fires by letting them do it in a controlled circumstance is a good idea.

Pretty great, Tedward!

We use our performers as spotters between spins. "Spot after you spin" has been working well for us from the standpoint that the spotters thus know EXACTLY what to look for when somebody's getting into trouble.

One of our spinners had a close pass near his head that caught his hair on fire (short hair less than an inch long). His spotter jumped up, said "head", and put it out with a wet towel so fast that the spinner didn't even get burned. The spotter was also a performer, and knew when the closest passes would occur, and was READY.

I personally can't give enough credit to the spotter. He was PAYING ATTENTION to the spin and the towel was wet and ready also.

If you're spinning, make sure you know how to spot, too!

^Rhino!

Cody--

Thanks for the feedback. Good stuff.

Re dirt: if you can completely cover the fuel, you'll extinguish the flame. I think. I've put out fires by kicking sand over them, I reasoned that dirt would do the same.
Re CO2 extinguishers: I've actually never used one (for that matter, I haven't used a powder extinguisher in years). But I'll add that.
Re clothing: reasonable point. It's hard to know where to stop with a document like this: the performer's clothing is something the spotter should take note of (and I mention it briefly), but I don't want to dwell too much on stuff that is the performer's responsibility.

Please do use and adapt the document.

Yeap, Adam, I concur with Cody....excellent start.

I have one or two suggestions that might enhance it further.

Under "Scenarios" , I'd also encourage a category of 'Physical Setting' for each of the scenarios. Is the gig in an outdoor setting on concrete, asphalt, or grass? An oil spill on concrete or asphalt can lead to a slippery footing. The spotter needs to be able to pitch some kitty litter or oil absorbent on the spill so as to enhance footing and prevent falls. Ever had a fire tool fall on you when you slip? You know what I mean, then. For a brief instant, if your spotter is on the job, it's scary.

When outdoors, be aware of potential close-by overhead hazards...awnings love to catch fire, and nearby ornamental trees are lovely in their ability to go up in smoke.

Can I borrow this to train my spotters, too?

^Rhino!

i wish *i* had this kind of training!!! as a newbie, my experience as spotter has been very limited, although i did have the natural reflexes to respond rapidly to a recent side*burn incident... still, i won't know what i know and how i'll react until it happens to me. i wish we had spotter training workshops in my circle...

well done, adam!
:)* spark*l

Just following up on my own post here.

We've now held two rounds of spotter training sessions here, and learned a few more points to include. I've updated the spotter training notes, and I've also put together a lesson plan based on what we've done. I'm hoping we can continue to improve on this and replicate these lessons in other local fire communities.

See:
fire-gear.com/spotter-tra...g-notes.html
fire-gear.com/spotter-tra...-lesson.html

Hi Cody,
just want address a couple of things so you don't have the wrong impression:

First, I gave Adam bad-case scenarios. If everything is fine, you don't ever USE the spotters
*People who say that they do not have the reflexes have no excuse, that's why we practice. Allot of people I teach juggling to say I cannot juggle I'm too clumsy. *
The person in question 1) panicked 2) really *doesn't* have the reflexes. Unfortunately, it took a face-to-face assessment for HER to realize all that. I was happy to take a meteor in the face so that she was comfortable with the decision, others could see my concerns.

*I don't think you should select which safety gets to do white gass transfers for fire safety training, they should all learn that. *
The lesson was not about experience, it was about lying. I realized it later. The two confessed later that Eric would think they were "unprofessional" if they admitted to being burned. Everyone who handles fire gets burned. It's a question of when. People need to be open, honest and upfront or they don't use fire with us, that simple.


*Regarding fire breathers, unfortunately they are their own best safety. . It's just a good thing to know in general when working with fire and wind.*
Okay, where to start;

Our people are allowed to determine their safety guidelines (Rule VII: www.phoenixswords.com/charter.html)
This happened during a winter performance this year; we tested, he breathed, an unexpected *strong* wind came between two buildings. He cut his fuel, put up his wet rag. His safety checked he was okay and the *second safety* was walking toward him. In his own words;
"I figured I was okay, but when I saw R* touch my face and RA* standing behind her with the water extinguisher and no spray I KNEW I was okay"
He had to show one audience member his tongue before she would believe he was okay (and then bit into his sandwich) but after that show, everyone came up and told us how impressed they were with his/our quick action. (more about this later)


*Why would you need netting for your stage?*
We don't. I was told by a Disney employee (think about this) that I was "super safe." I have seen two breathers GO UP in flames. In neither case was I the spotter, I was an audience member in one case and offstage/away for my break in another.
That has haunted me. As I said in another thread, I am *constantly* thinking of what could go wrong. Spotters don't check equipment-the performers do. I have a three page document of our safety stuff, thought I'd just do the basics in my post. :)

How safe are we? Outside fire performers will *search us out* at events to ask for our spotters and equipment. But what matters to me? When that same breather ran up, hugged me and said
"That's for being such a bitch about procedure."

*here is a thread in here I think about first aide kits.*
Our fire breather is allergic to aloe, three members are allergic to adhesive. We have a really good (and interesting) kit But thank you. :)

Hi Holly, no offence menat I was just trying to help and unfortunately it looks like I didn't know the whole story in each case. With only bits of information conclusions and assumptions are all we got. :)

What would the net be used for that you tested? I may have jumped to conclusions there and I by no means intended to say your props are broken but I'm still scratching my head about the net thing.

True some people may not be comfortable with safety or fire which is a different issue than reflexes.

Thank you for filling in the blanks, your comments make more sence now and your safety document looks great. :)