Itchen Valley Shooting Club

Safety at the Club

We have a 100% safety record IVSC and continually look for ways to maintain and improve our standards. Whether you are a member of the club or visitor we want you enjoy your sport in a completely safe environment. To this end, it is your responsibility to become familiar with the range commands and rules which must be obeyed at all times. These are summarised below.

While the range is open, the Range officer has complete control withe the full backing of the IVSC Management Committee. The Range Officer has authority to ask anyone who is infringing range safety rules to leave. Nobody is exempt from this.

The Range Officer's decisions are final.

Range Commands

These range commands are for use on the 25m range. However they are also to be used on the airgun range. Range commands for specific events or competitions will be posted by competition organisers / range officers.

Range commands for 25/30m range
What the Range Officer will Do or Say	What You Must Do
The bell is rung, the red light is out and the firing point door is opened.	You may enter the firing point to join the next detail. Take all the equipment you need onto the firing point and put your rifle in the rack or pistol on the adjacent table. Put the rest of your equipment on your firing bay. Go forward and post your target and return and wait for the R.O. to give the next instruction. At no time is a weapon placed on the firing bay until told to by the R.O. ;
When the range is clear and no one is forward of the firing point the R.O. will close the door, put the red light on and say: “Range clear; make ready” or “You may take your gun from the rack”	Take your rifle/pistol from the rack to your bay and prepare for the next instruction.
“Ear defenders on! You may load and commence firing.”	Ensure you are wearing ear defenders, load gun and commence shooting.
“Cease Fire” or “All Finished” then: “Stand back; Show clear”	Bench your weapon, remove magazine and clear the chamber. Bolt or slide should be open, magazine empty. Step back and wait for gun to be checked by the R.O..
“Guns clear! Rack your weapons; go forward and change targets.”	Put your gun in the rack, pick up all empty cartridge cases, then change or collect your targets. If finished, clear your firing bay, collect your weapon and vacate the firing point. The bell should be rung and the red light extinguished at this point to let others know that they may enter the range. When anyone is down range, you must be standing away from the firing point and NO-ONE MAY TOUCH ANY GUN AT THIS TIME.
“STOP STOP STOP” NB - Anyone may use this command if there is anyone in front of the firing point.	Guns lowered and pointed DOWN in front of bench - finger OFF trigger. Do not unload. Await instruction from RO. If preparing to shoot and not already handling gun, step back from the firing point.

General Range Rules

The orders of the RO must be obeyed at all times. The Range Commands must always be used.
Adequate Ear and Eye protection should be worn whilst live firing is in progress.
Only guns of approved types, together with appropriate ammunition, will be allowed.
Range Officers have the authority to ban any gun or ammunition on the range if they consider them to be either unsafe or inappropriate.
In the interests of safety, there must be a Committee approved RO present together with at least one other person before shooting may take place.
The RO will appoint an assistant as required to run the Firing Point or other duties.
Nobody will advance forward of the Firing Point unless authorised by the RO.
Except as provided for by the RO and unless 'Cease Fire' is in force, no shooter may approach the Firing Point without permission of the RO or leave it without gun clearance by the RO.
The Range Officer is required to report to the Committee, any behaviours that are construed as dangerous or reckless, or operating guns outside of their legal limits. If, after consideration of the report from the Range Officer, the individual concerned may be liable to disciplinary action.
All firearms will be kept unloaded with their actions open at all times except when on the Firing Point, or properly stowed within their carrying cases.
When a match is in progress or members are shooting league targets, all others should have the courtesy to observe reasonable silence to avoid any distraction.
Members must maintain a tidy range, with particular care being taken to avoid leaving any live ammunition unaccounted for. All dangerous and potentially dangerous rubbish which may be found shall be the responsibility of the finder to remove.
Until a probationary member has satisfied the Club rules, he/she will be required to be supervised by a Club coach or authorised club member at all times, and will comply with all instructions given by the said supervisor.
Coaches and supervisors may only supervise one probationer at any one time.
Details vacating the Firing Point will do so as quickly as possible and with the minimum disturbance to others.
Members are required to check that other members have fair and reasonable access to the range. "Hogging" the range is unacceptable. Members are required to use the board in the Club room to “book” their turn on the range.
Spectators are expected to keep well to the rear of the Firing Points.

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