Section 8: Safety Considerations
8.1 Range Safety Protocols
- Barrel direction: When carrying the rifle on the back, the barrel must point up (Rule 7.1.2). Rifles may be loaded and unloaded only with the barrel pointing toward the targets or up (Rule 8.5.2).
- Rifle inspection: Rifles are checked before the start for weight, trigger resistance, dimensions and shape (Rule 4.2.2.1).
- Forward of the firing line: When the range is open for shooting, no one is permitted to be forward of the firing line (Rule 8.5.1).
- Backstop: The range must be surrounded by adequate safety berms on the sides and behind the targets (Rule 3.4.1).
8.2 Course Safety
- Course marking: The course must be so clearly marked that competitors are at no time in doubt as to how to follow it, and each loop length has its own colour (Rule 3.3.6, Rule 3.3.6.1).
- Temperature limits: Competitions must not be started if the air temperature is colder than −20°C (−4°F) at the coldest part of the site (Rule 6.6.1); below −15°C, wind chill and humidity must be considered (Rule 6.6.2).
8.3 Ammunition Handling
- Ammunition removal: At the end of training and competitions, all ammunition must be removed from both the stock and the magazines (Rule 8.5.2.1).
- Misfires: Misfired or lost rounds may be replaced from the athlete's own spares, or from a range official on request (Rule 8.6.1).