D-Day Conneaut Safety Regulations

Safety First!

Safety should be each participant’s first priority at all times. Disregard of D-DAY CONNEAUT safety rules and/or the safety of the people around you will result in a participant’s removal from the activity.

These guidelines are not intended to be all inclusive. Incidents or circumstances that may arise that pose a safety hazard and that the D-DAY CONNEAUT SAFETY OFFICER finds to be in conflict with the safety approach of the event may result in intervention by the D-DAY CONNEAUT SAFETY OFFICER up to and including removal from the event.

Boat Safety Rules

Click to review boat safety rules.

Army Hand/Arm Signals for Troops and Ground Guides

Click to download and review Arm/hand Signals.

Safety Officers

  • A participant less than 18 years of age, but having reached their 16th birthday by the date of the event who desire to participate in D-DAY CONNEAUT tactical scenarios may do so if accompanied by and DIRECTLY SUPERVISED by their parent, guardian, or responsible adult at all times. Their parent or guardian will willingly assume full responsibility and liability for the minor under their direct supervision.
  • D-Day Conneaut Safety Officers will have final say in all safety matters. Participants and Unit Commanders will follow the Safety Officer’s directions in all circumstances.
  • Anyone who performs an intentionally dangerous act that causes; or could have caused serious injuries to others or himself will be immediately removed from the activity and not permitted to return.
  • Failure to follow the direction of the D-DAY CONNEAUT Safety Officer will result in ejection from the scenario and potentially the event.

Minor (youth) Participants

  • Unit Commanders will be held strictly responsible for the adherence to the D-DAY CONNEAUT safety rules by their unit members and any guests.
  • Participants under the age of 16 ARE PROHIBITED from taking part in the combat scenarios.

Personal Safety

  • HEALTH: Re-enacting is a strenuous hobby not recommended for those with physical conditions that limit this type of activity. If a participant has a heart condition or other ailment that may stop him or her from participating, the participant should consult a doctor before coming to an event. Participants are responsible for their own health and verifying their ability to participate in activities held at the reenactment.
  • NATURAL HAZARDS: Be aware of insects (wasps and mosquitoes), poison ivy, poison oak, and other hazards of the outdoors. Take appropriate preventive care and action.
     
    Participants in the Landings should also be aware of potential dangers associated with Lake Erie and the shoreline such as currents and abrupt drop offs. Participants in the La Fiere scenario should be cognizant of the hazards of the creek such as slippery rocks and eroded bank areas.

    Last, the proximity of the lake to the camps creates a high glare and can accelerate sunburn and sun poisoning. Participants should be mindful of this when considering sunscreen and headwear. Heat can also be an issue for participants as summer temperatures may climb into the 90s. Participants should seek to stay hydrated and be watchful for signs of heat fatigue in themselves and others.

UNCOOPERATIVENESS/ARGUMENTS

The integrity of the event depends in large measure upon the deportment of the participants and their good faith efforts to abide by the safety or authenticity rules. Accordingly, any participant who willfully violates the rules or guidelines of the event, or who by an uncooperative or argumentative attitude detracts from the safety of the event shall be asked to leave and may not be permitted to return at the discretion of the D-DAY CONNEAUT BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

Firearms

    TYPES OF FIREARMS PERMITTED

    Only replica or original weapons appropriate to WWII are permitted. No shotguns, military or otherwise, may be used in tactical scenarios. Shotguns are permitted for display only.

    HANDLING

    • Treat all firearms as if they were loaded and ready to fire.
    • Do not leave them where the public can have easy access to them without supervision.
    • Weapons must be unloaded when not in use.
    • In rough going or vehicles use your weapon safety (or its functional equivalent) to help prevent accidental discharges.
    • Always maintain control of your weapon.
    • Members of the public and spectators are NOT permitted to handle firearms. When showing a firearm to the public, it MUST remain under your control.
    • Weapons may NOT be discharged in the camps outside of scheduled scenarios. Weapons may be checked in the designated safety area.
    • No live ammunition is permitted - display or otherwise - at the event.

    SAFETY RANGES

    • DO NOT directly aim your weapon at another participant.
    • NEVER aim your weapon at the public.
    • DO NOT fire in the direction of a participant when that participant is closer than fifty (50) feet.

    lOADING FIREARMS

    • There will be NO loading or discharging or blanks during a tactical scenario until directed by the Unit Commander.

    AMMUNITION

    • No live ammunition is permitted at D-DAY CONNEAUT—including in camp, or on the park grounds.
    • No wood-tipped blanks are permitted.
    • A participant will be ejected from the event for possessing live or wood tipped ammunition.

    bLANK FIRE ADAPTERS

    • All blank fire adapters shall be safe, sturdy and approved by the D-DAY CONNEAUT Safety Officer. All such blank adapters shall be kept in clean, unobstructed condition.

    HAND TO HAND COMPBAT

    Participants are NOT permitted to engage in simulated close quarters fighting or hand-to-hand combat.

    KNIVES AND BAYONETS

    Knives and bayonets MUST be sheathed, except when being used as tools or for staged photographs. Under NO circumstances are edged weapons to be handled by the public at ANY time for ANY reason.

    GRENADES and WEAPON PROJECTED OBJECTS

    No objects are to be thrown or projected towards the spectators. You may NOT throw a grenade if the public is standing behind/in the direction of your throw.

    Grenades with sound effect simulators are permitted but exploding grenades or other exploding rounds are not permitted to be thrown, lobbed or fired at other participants.

    MORTARS and OTHER ARTILLERY

    • Mortar and artillery rounds SHALL be inspected by the D-Day Conneaut Safety Officer. They may not be used if the D-Day Conneaut safety officer does not “pass” the rounds for use.

    • Rounds must be kept in an appropriate magazine, stored in a location that is not generally accessible to the public.

    • Mortars may not be fired in the direction of the public. Generally, blank artillery rounds should be 1/3 or less of a service round. If your gun requires larger rounds to operate correctly, please discuss this with the D-Day Conneaut Safety Officer.

    • Projectiles for mortars and rifle grenades are not permitted.

    PYROTECHNICS

    • No pyrotechnics (i.e. smoke bombs, flares) are permitted unless approved by the D-DAY CONNEAUT Safety Officer.
    • Absolutely no ignitable devices are to be thrown into or projected at or near any motor vehicle.
    • Individual unit commanders are responsible for their personnel and all pyrotechnics that they carry and/or use.
    • Passing the safety inspection does not relieve the unit commander from his responsibility for the conduct of his men with respect to the use of pyrotechnics.

    VEHICLES

    General Vehicle Safety

    • All historic vehicles must check in with their respective headquarters and receive permission for use on site.
    • All historic vehicles must display the appropriate placard or window decal indicating the vehicle has passed inspection.
    • All vehicles shall have fully functional brakes capable of stopping under any conditions. All vehicles, except motorcycles, shall carry a fire extinguisher.
    • All vehicles shall have fully functioning head and tail lamps if they will be operated on public streets.
    • All vehicles and their equipment shall be in safe operating condition prior to engaging in operations. Safe operating condition shall be determined by the D-DAY CONNEAUT Safety Officer.

    General Vehicle Operations

    • FOLLOW ALL PARK DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE AND MAINTAIN A SPEED LIMIT OF UNDER 10 MPH.
    • DURING THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY PUBLIC HOURS, PLEASE ADHERE TO A 5 MPH SPEED LIMIT.
    • ALL HIGHWAY SAFETY REGULATIONS APPLY.
    • DO NOT DRIVE ON THE HILLS OR SIDEWALKS.
    • All drivers must be cautious of pedestrian contact around vehicles.
    • No driving unauthorized vehicles outside of designated parking areas.
    • At no time shall a driver of an authorized vehicle operate it in an unsafe manner or be in violation of any speed or other safety guidelines.
    • When any vehicle larger than a 3/4 ton tuck is operating off of improved roads in a tactical nature, pr on improved roads through the event during public hours, a "ground guide" must accompany it on foot and at close proximity to the vehicle, to warn the driver of any dangers.
    • Refueling and rearming will only take place in designated areas.

    ARMORED FIGHTING VEHICLES (TANKS) - OPERATION

IMPORTANT – Armored vehicles will only move/operate away from their static display area when authorized by the D-Day Armor Command, and ALL armor movement will be directed by the D-Day Armor Command Ground Boss. No exceptions. All armored vehicle commanders / unit command must verify to the Armor Command that they and their crew(s) have read and understand the guidance put forth below prior to arrival to the event.

REAL-WORLD EMERGENCY: If, at any time, there is a real-world emergency (i.e. not a reenacted scenario), all members will begin making a slashing motion of the neck and yelling “KILL KILL KILL” until everyone around them is doing the same thing, all movement and operations cease, and action is taken to handle the emergency.

NO INFANTRY OR GROUND PERSONNEL WILL OPERATE OR BE AROUND ARMORED VEHICLES WITH A MAIN GUN WITHIN A 100 feet and 50 feet for armored vehicles with a blank adapted or simulated machine gun (e.g. Halftrack / M20 Scout Car) during the invasion reenactment.

Ground Guides: Ground Guides function to “guide” or direct the movement of an armored fighting vehicle (AFV) in an administrative environment (non-tactical).

They maintain visual contact with the Vehicle Commander and/or Driver and guide the vehicle around obstacles and along a specified route. A minimum of two (one in front, one in back) Ground Guides will be used in all administrative and bivouac (camp) areas. Ground guides will use WWII US Army D-Day hand and arm signals (Click to review FM 17-5)

 Communications: All AFVs will be equipped with an operational intercom system incorporating each crewman and have external communications capability with D-DAY CONNEAUT Safety Officer and Armor Command Team. They will only use the applicable frequencies and call signs in the Signal Operating Instructions for external communications.

Safety Equipment and Drills: All AFVs will be equipped with an operational fire suppression system or have a minimum of one “A-B-C” or “B-C” fire extinguisher on board at all times. Additionally, all AFVs will have a first aid kit on board at all times. Crews will establish and rehearse casualty evacuation / extraction drills to safely and quickly evacuate their AFV in the event of an emergency. Unit commanders must confirm and notify the Armor Command Team such training has occurred prior to arrival to the event.

Safety during tactical maneuvers: An AFV will be limited to its assigned lane during tactical scenarios. Assigned lanes are designated by the Armor Command Team, and all movements are directed by the Armor Command Team Ground Boss during the reenactment. The AFV commander will ensure the immediate area of the tank is clear of all personnel before moving or firing any vehicle weapon system to include main gun and blank adapted machine guns.

Armored Fighting Vehicle - Other Operational Requirements: Crewmen will use appropriate safety gear as dictated by their tank/vehicle commander (i.e. leather gloves, authentic protective headgear if appropriate, goggles during firing).

Before administrative movements, crewmen will ensure hatches are secured open and that the turret traverse lock is engaged. Before traversing, AFV crews will ensure the turret ring is clear of obstructions (i.e. equipment, shell casings, fingers, limbs, etc.).

The driver and bow gunner will not close hatches during tactical/exercise movements unless approved by the D-Day Conneaut Safety Officer and Armor Command Team. All unit commanders must seek approval for closed hatch operations for the driver and/or bow gunner prior to the first battle. At no time will the tank/vehicle commanders operate with a closed hatch.

Firing the Main Gun and Machine guns: The tank commander and gunner will ensure main gun breech travel is clear before elevating the main gun and shut off main gun stabilization, if applicable, in administrative areas. Before firing, the tank commander will ensure the path of main gun recoil is clear and that the muzzle area is clear of ground troops by no less than 100 feet.