BSDGB SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR SELF DEFENCE INSTRUCTORS
issue July 2002

The term "self defence" is used in these guidelines to include control & restraint, breakaway and all similar types of training session.

1. Self defence involves close contact. It is important to ensure that students pay close attention to their personal hygiene. Finger and toe nails should be kept short and in good condition.
   
   
2. Appropriate clothing must be worn when practising self defence. It is your responsibility to advise your students what clothing to wear.
   
   
3. The chewing of gum or the consuming of any food or drink during training is prohibited.
   
   
4. Remind all students that it is essential that clothing contains no buckles, buttons or any other sharp or hard objects which may cause injury either to themselves or to their partner. Remind them also to empty their pockets.
   
   
5. Spectacles must not be worn whilst practising exercises. However, if a student is unable to see a demonstration without them, they may be permitted for the duration of the demonstration only. After the demonstration, they must remove their spectacles and place them in a safe place, away from the training area. Hard contact lenses must be removed prior to participating in exercises.
   
   
6. Remind all students that it is forbidden to wear rings, watches or jewellery of any kind whilst practising. Any rings that cannot be removed must be securely covered with strong, thick adhesive plaster.
   
   
7. Any cuts or abrasions, no matter how minor, must be adequately covered.
   
   
8. You must ask at the beginning of every training session whether any student has any injury or illness which might cause difficulties with the session. Remember, you are not expected to make a medical diagnosis, and you must, therefore, act on the side of caution. If you are in any doubt about the fitness of a student, you must not allow them to participate in the session until they can provide medical certification of their fitness.
   
   
9. Remind all students to inform you immediately if they receive any injury, no matter how slight, during the session.
   
   
10. At the end of each training session, you must enquire whether any student has received any injury, no matter how minor, during the session. Any reports of injuries must be entered into the accident book.
    
    
11. Remind students that they must follow instructions carefully and execute moves smoothly and without excessive force. Remind them that the object of the training session is to control their partner and not to inflict injury.
    
    
12. It is incumbent on you to ensure that your students follow your instructions exactly and do not use excessive force when practising.
    
    
13. Although students will benefit greatly from practising techniques repeatedly, care must be exercised with all joint-locking techniques since repeated application (even with minimal force) can cause injury. We recommend, therefore, that not more than twenty applications of a joint-locking technique are applied to a joint during any eight hour period.
    
    
14. Remind all students, at the beginning of every session, how to indicate submission, and that they must cease applying the technique when their partner indicates submission.
    
    
15. Appropriate mats must always be used whenever throwing or take-down exercises are being practised. Ensure the mat area is of sufficient size for the number of students practising. As a general guideline, you should allow a minimum of sixty-four square feet per pair of practising adult students. Ensure that mats are in good condition and are kept clean. Ensure that they do not drift apart during training.
    
    
16. A students-to-instructor ratio of 12 to 1 should not ordinarily be exceeded. In all cases it is incumbent on you to ensure that you are able satisfactorily to supervise all students in your class.
    
    
17. Where relevant, ensure that students know how to breakfall and/or fall safely before they are permitted to practise throwing or take-down techniques, and that the appropriate falling skills are practised at the beginning of every session where they may be needed. In all cases, students must be cautioned against reaching out with a straight arm in the event of falling, stumbling or being thrown to the floor.
    
    
18. There should be rapid availability of a first-aid kit and emergency medical treatment.
    
    
19. If you are in any doubt about a reported injury, seek medical assistance immediately.