A Marshals guide to Marshaling
Nov 15, 2013 17:07:40 GMT
Post by Toni on Nov 15, 2013 17:07:40 GMT
A Marshal's guide to Marshaling
So, you want to create a character who is a marshal but don't really know what they do and how they do it. Well fear not because your admin is here to help using her own experience as a marshal. Here is a basic guides to duties and stuff marshals need to do.
Radios
TETRA radios are the only communication that marshals have with other marshal posts and with race control. There will be a radio at each post and each Chief Sector Marshal has a radio of their own since they will need to travel between places during the racing. Obviously this means each post has one marshal on the radio to report anything or pick up instructions given to them. They are usually already on the right talk group so all the marshal has to do is press the long button on the side to talk with their sector. In an incident, the orange emergency button on the top of the radio is pressed which shuts out all other radios and is a direct link to race control for 15 seconds. The radios play a major part in marshaling so we all know what we need to do.
Flags
Flags are our only way of communicating with the riders during racing and warning them of any danger or informing them of conditions on the course. There are marshal posts that are only one person solely to use flags if needed. It is the most important job for marshals.
Flag Meanings
RED FLAG - The race has been stopped. Pull in at once. This can only be authorized by the clerk of the course and rarely used.
STATIONARY YELLOW FLAG - Imminent danger, slow down, no overtaking.
WAVED YELLOW FLAG - Imminent danger, slow down, no overtaking, be prepared to stop. Waved in a figure of 8 motion.
YELLOW AND RED STRIPED FLAG - Lack of adhesion on the road. This could be due to debris, water or oil. Held stationary.
BLACK FLAG WITH ORANGE DISC - Mechanical problems. This will be followed by a blackboard with racing number. That rider must stop immediately an wait for their bike to be checked by a travelling marshal before proceeding if allowed.
Rider (First Aid)
Incidents happen and somebody has to deal with it when it does. At the start of a session there will be one or two people at bigger posts allocated to helping the rider or riders in an incident. Once the waved yellow flag is out they will make sure the rider is out of harm's way and treat any injuries they can if there are no medics stationed at that post. This can involve first aid but most marshals have taken an Incident Management Course (IMC) which teaches the basic first aid they could need.
Bike
When an incident happens the bike the racer was riding needs to be dealt with as well as the rider. There are usually protective gloves provided for marshals on this duty. they are to get the bike out of the way of the course if possible and make sure the little pieces are going to cause no danger. This could mean kicking them with their shoes since parts will likely be very hot.
Things to note
. Marshals should not move any debris in a red flag incident or if they suspect it will be a red flag incident. Why is that you ask. Well, the police will usually do inquiries about red flag incidents so the scene must be left as it is for them to do their thing.
. Many marshals will stay doing one task most of the time they marshal as that is what they are best at. For example where I marshal the same lady does the radio each session and either me or another lady there is on flag duty. We even have one guy who is always on bikes since he knows them inside and out. Play to your character's strengths is my best advice.
So, you want to create a character who is a marshal but don't really know what they do and how they do it. Well fear not because your admin is here to help using her own experience as a marshal. Here is a basic guides to duties and stuff marshals need to do.
Radios
TETRA radios are the only communication that marshals have with other marshal posts and with race control. There will be a radio at each post and each Chief Sector Marshal has a radio of their own since they will need to travel between places during the racing. Obviously this means each post has one marshal on the radio to report anything or pick up instructions given to them. They are usually already on the right talk group so all the marshal has to do is press the long button on the side to talk with their sector. In an incident, the orange emergency button on the top of the radio is pressed which shuts out all other radios and is a direct link to race control for 15 seconds. The radios play a major part in marshaling so we all know what we need to do.
Flags
Flags are our only way of communicating with the riders during racing and warning them of any danger or informing them of conditions on the course. There are marshal posts that are only one person solely to use flags if needed. It is the most important job for marshals.
Flag Meanings
RED FLAG - The race has been stopped. Pull in at once. This can only be authorized by the clerk of the course and rarely used.
STATIONARY YELLOW FLAG - Imminent danger, slow down, no overtaking.
WAVED YELLOW FLAG - Imminent danger, slow down, no overtaking, be prepared to stop. Waved in a figure of 8 motion.
YELLOW AND RED STRIPED FLAG - Lack of adhesion on the road. This could be due to debris, water or oil. Held stationary.
BLACK FLAG WITH ORANGE DISC - Mechanical problems. This will be followed by a blackboard with racing number. That rider must stop immediately an wait for their bike to be checked by a travelling marshal before proceeding if allowed.
Rider (First Aid)
Incidents happen and somebody has to deal with it when it does. At the start of a session there will be one or two people at bigger posts allocated to helping the rider or riders in an incident. Once the waved yellow flag is out they will make sure the rider is out of harm's way and treat any injuries they can if there are no medics stationed at that post. This can involve first aid but most marshals have taken an Incident Management Course (IMC) which teaches the basic first aid they could need.
Bike
When an incident happens the bike the racer was riding needs to be dealt with as well as the rider. There are usually protective gloves provided for marshals on this duty. they are to get the bike out of the way of the course if possible and make sure the little pieces are going to cause no danger. This could mean kicking them with their shoes since parts will likely be very hot.
Things to note
. Marshals should not move any debris in a red flag incident or if they suspect it will be a red flag incident. Why is that you ask. Well, the police will usually do inquiries about red flag incidents so the scene must be left as it is for them to do their thing.
. Many marshals will stay doing one task most of the time they marshal as that is what they are best at. For example where I marshal the same lady does the radio each session and either me or another lady there is on flag duty. We even have one guy who is always on bikes since he knows them inside and out. Play to your character's strengths is my best advice.