Alcohol - should there be an explicit rule?

[Deadeye Doc]

Originally Posted by buzz lite beer

they can't be! I drank About 6 Pints at Lilleshall once (stumbled back to my tent amount) shot with a hang over got drug and alcohol tested during the next days shoot and passed.

Well, maybe the figure quoted above "Archery (FITA) (0.10 g/L)" is what we could argue about. I think that you are right Buzz. The figure for driving is .8mg/100ml

From an official Scottish publication

There are various issues to consider, such as:
• your body weight
• whether you’re male or female (males have more fluid in their body which dilutes the alcohol)
• the strength of the drink
• absorption rate
• roughly speaking an 11 stone man drinking 2 pints of beer, or its equivalent, will normally be over the limit. As little as one pint of very strong lager may take a driver to the limit.

However, this is about driving, and not about archery. Nevertheless it can explain the varied results for different individuals after imbibing. Alcohol will impair judgement at even small levels. It disinhibits and by doing so creates a sense of false confidence preventing us from making rational decisions.

I hate sounding like a new Puritan, especially as I return from France each year with a boot full of wine. My choice is not represented on the poll. It would be alcohol only after shooting not before or during.

[Robin the Hood]

Originally Posted by Little Miss Purple

welcome back NDY... we've missed you

Certainly have......just like toothache...... ... Aren't friends wonderful.....

Paul....

[Snarkhunter]

Originally Posted by moo-mop

I have no issues with alcohol after shooting. If I'm doing the next day I personally don't drink (although I can think of a one very small glass of wine celebration exception, and in that particular case a fair few of the other archers seemed to disappear the next day).

Moo-Mop,
This seems an eminently sensible suggestion! As Deadeye points out, bows are potentially dangerous and as such we have some responsibility.

And before I get beaten round the head by a Daily Mail wielding maniac shouting "Nanny State!!!" just remember that this is about taking responsibility for what each of us does. I have seen demonstrations of just how much even small quantities of alcohol can impair judgement. I would no more go drinking and then start shooting than go drinking and then drive: the potential consequences are just too awful.

[FlourPower]

The Reading Uni constitution allows removal of members from the range if they appear to be causing a danger to themselves, others or the equipment. Someone who was incredibly inebriated would fall under this.

There is no need for GNAS to have yet ANOTHER rule.

[wanshu]

Well then, with all this talk about drinking beer, wine, sherry, rum and mulled wine. "I need a drink"

Do we have a heavy drinking culture problem within archery that could be deemed as being unsafe? I doubt it. Most archers are sensible and common sense should prevail always.
Mind you not everyone has common sense.
Therefore I think they should ban all sales of the demon drink from 12 midnight. With a 48 hour amnesty for all drink currently stored away in homes, pubs and clubs. The last drink ceremony will be a tearful occasion with alcoholics leading the parade reading from cocktail and drink menu's as they walk to the final resting place of the Last Drink. I could go on in jest.

To be realistic if anyone is stupid enough to be 1 over the 8 and they're shooting in an unsafe fashion they would be told by someone to come down and refrain from risking unjury to themselves or others around them.

Banning a substance does not stop it from being taken before and during if they wish to be devious about it.
Lets just sit down and create more rules, it's what we love doing today.
It satisfies someone somewhere!!!!

[bimble]

Originally Posted by wanshu

Lets just sit down and create more rules, it's what we love doing today.
It satisfies someone somewhere!!!!

Originally Posted by FlourPower

There is no need for GNAS to have yet ANOTHER rule.

You both know that there's plenty of room left in the Rules Of Shooting for these rules... what else are those "INTENTIONALLY BLANK" pages for??

[Tropicalshot]

i beleive drinking should be allowed after the finish of a days shoot, not during the shoot but when the social side of the sport kicks in

[nfinite]

Originally Posted by not dead yet

OMG. how many sports clubs dont have a bar.

how many archers have you seen drunk.

tell you what....

we'll ban drink, children so as to not have to worry about takin photies. burgers, coz they not good for you. all carbon arrows. large amounts of cheese coz it can give some migrain. smiling coz you may be enjoying your archery. students for obvious reasons. (ceri ) lol. we'll all shoot longbows once a week to irrigate the grass.

i love Archery interchange

he he he he

pete

Well said NYD.

For some silly reason, I recall taking up archery for a bit of fun

Don't get me wrong, I am not approving getting smashed and then wobbling to the line to complete a shoot

But anybody that tells me a pint at lunch is dangerous or can offer a archer an advantage, no chance.

[Longbow_Gold]

I don't see there being anything wrong in an archer having a pint at lunchtime, so long as the haven't been on the fizz before arriving at the shoot

Willie

[RoverJohn977]

Originally Posted by Deadeye Doc

Well, maybe the figure quoted above "Archery (FITA) (0.10 g/L)" is what we could argue about. I think that you are right Buzz. The figure for driving is .8mg/100ml

From an official Scottish publication

There are various issues to consider, such as:
• your body weight
• whether you’re male or female (males have more fluid in their body which dilutes the alcohol)
• the strength of the drink
• absorption rate
• roughly speaking an 11 stone man drinking 2 pints of beer, or its equivalent, will normally be over the limit. As little as one pint of very strong lager may take a driver to the limit.

However, this is about driving, and not about archery. Nevertheless it can explain the varied results for different individuals after imbibing. Alcohol will impair judgement at even small levels. It disinhibits and by doing so creates a sense of false confidence preventing us from making rational decisions.

I hate sounding like a new Puritan, especially as I return from France each year with a boot full of wine. My choice is not represented on the poll. It would be alcohol only after shooting not before or during.

This seems to be the commonsense approach - for the competitors alcohol consumption must clearly be incompatible with the possession and operation of a potentially lethal weapon. But only before and during the event.

(Despite the operation of other sports - a hipflask is almost synonymous with the use of a shotgun at winter events)

There may well be spectators who might wish to imbibe during an archery event.

There may be subsequent social activity that the competitors wish to partake in.

The test should always be capacity and not simply an arbitrary numerical level. Perhaps concern over capacity could trigger a test?