Health and Hygiene on the Range

1
Health and Hygiene on the Range

• (or, Why its not good to lick the floor of the
  range while cleaning your ears out with a bullet)
• By MIDN 1/C Christopher A Tilley

2
Introduction

• This is intended to satisfy annual training
  requirements from CNET.
• Shooting on the teams involves certain health
  risks not common to ROTC life.
• It is our goal, and the goal of CNET, to not only
  teach everyone marksmanship fundamentals but also
  not kill you in the process.

3
Agenda

• Noise Hazards
• Lead Hazards
• Pissing Off Grumpy Upper-Classmen Hazards

4
Noise Hazards

• Firing on the range causes a lot of noise. This
  is fairly obvious, we dont call them go-bangs
  for nothing.
• Air rifles up to center fire pistols are shot on
  the range, and hearing protection should be worn
  for them all.

5
Hearing Protection

• The different firearms used on the range all make
  different amounts of noise, and therefore require
  different kinds of hearing protection.
• The quietest being air rifles and air pistols,
  these hardly require hearing protection. However
  since we have a full range of them and to
  reinforce the habit, wear foamies anyway.

6

• Rifles are the next loudest. Due to the barrel
  length they are quieter than pistols but still
  loud enough to call for foamies.
• .22 Pistols are distinctly louder than the rifles
  and so ear muffs are encouraged but only foamies
  are required.
• When there is a center fire pistol being used,
  ear muffs are required and double protection is
  encouraged strongly.

7

• The outlined minimum protection is a requirement,
  and its always okay to go a step further. A lot
  of shooters in both rifle and pistol, even in air
  events, wear more hearing protection than
  required just because it blocks out distracting
  noises and helps focus.
• CNET also requires tracking of hearing tests for
  team members. Stand by for what each of us needs
  to do.

8
Lead Safety

• Bullets are made of lead.
• Lead is bad for you.
• Dont lick the bullets.

9
Lead and the Range

• We fire lead bullets through our guns.
• This causes lead to get on our hands from
  handling the guns and bullets.
• Lead dust also gets blown onto the floor by each
  shot. This is the black powder you see when you
  sweep up. Dont eat it.

10

• There will be no food on the range. Water is
  allowed due to the need for hydration.
• Be aware that during and after practice your
  hands are very dirty. Avoid rubbing your eyes,
  etc.
• Always wash your hands well IMMEDIATELY after
  practice.

11
Summary

• We should all be aware now of the subtle health
  risks associated with shooting.
• CNET requires certain safety and health measures
  be adhered to, and we encourage you to take them
  to heart and even go a step further.

12
Questions?

• Please email one of the coaches or ask in person
  if you have questions.
• There will be a signature sheet in MIDN Tilleys
  mailbox. ALL MUST SIGN IT BY 31OCT OR YOU WONT
  SHOOT!!