Waterbearing is a great way to get involved in the SCA -- you don't need a lot of special training, and you get to meet new people while you help with the success of an event. The information on this page is geared toward Pennsic War XXX, but much of it applies to any event (including events with no fighting -- think about waterbearers for your next dance event!)

How do I become a waterbearer?

There are two categories of waterbearers in the Middle Kingdom, generally referred to as Partisan and Non-Partisan.

Partisan waterbearing is that which you do for your friends, household or kingdom, to the exclusion of others. This is a great way for you to support you own group! Please do so, as it will ease our load. However, non-partisan waterbearers are asked not to display the symbol of the Waterbearers Guild, and will not be permitted on the field at Pennsic.

Non-partisan waterbearing is giving support on the battlefield at Pennsic to any and all who need it, regardless of whether you know them, or which kingdom or group they're from. When referring to water-bearing activities at war, I will be speaking of non-partisan water-bearing. These waterbearers are encouraged to wear a baldric or other identification that has the Guild symbol on it. We may have some loaners at war, but please make and bring your own if you have a chance.

Anyone on the field displaying the waterbearer's badge is assumed to be a non-partisan waterbearer. If a waterbearer is displaying the badge and refuses water to anyone, they will be asked to remove the badge and not return to official waterbearing activities. This does not mean that they cannot continue to support their group on the sidelines.

What does "on the field" mean?

Both at Pennsic and at your local events, "on the field" or "on the field during battles" means entering the list or battlefield area during holds. AT NO TIME should a waterbearer enter the battlefield during active combat. Unless you are a kingdom or non-partisan waterbearer, you are not permitted to enter the battlefield, even during holds.

How can I be a waterbearer at an event?

All you need to do is find either the chirurgeon-in-charge or the waterbearer-in-charge and tell them you want to help with waterbearing. This person will probably ask you a couple of questions to find the best job for you. He/she may ask you if you have a blue membership card, or ask you to sign a waiver. You must have a signed combat waiver to go onto the actual field or enter a list while combat is going on. At Pennsic what this means is that you have to have a blue membership card or a signed waiver on file with the waterbearer-in-charge. If you do not have a blue membership card, a signed waiver, or are under the age of 18, you may help at resurrection points, waterbearers point and on the sidelines -- we still need you!

I keep hearing about heat exhaustion and heat stroke- what's the difference?

Because the waterbearers have a lot of direct contact with the people on the field, they help to look for anyone that may be having heat related problems. To do that, you need to be familiar with the signs of these problems and know some of the basics of treatment.

• Heat Cramps -- least severe. If a person experiences these muscle cramps, he/she should take a break and cool down. Once the cramps stop, the person should be able to resume activity, but needs to be careful as he/she may quickly dehydrate/overheat again.
• Heat Exhaustion -- more severe than heat cramps. Signals include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness and exhaustion. To treat heat exhaustion, get the victim into the shade and remove armor or extra layers of clothing, starting with the helm or hat. Loosen tight clothing, apply cool (not cold!) wet cloths to pulse points and head (wrists and ankles), and encourage the victim to drink cool liquids slowly. The victim may become nauseated if drinking liquids too quickly.
• Heat Stroke -- most severe heat related illness. Signals include red, hot, dry skin. Victim may also be extremely pale with splotches of red, especially if normally fair skinned. Victim will probably not be sweating. THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION -- get help immediately. Once help is on the way, begin treatment as outlined above for heat exhaustion.
  

Don't overreact to a potential problem. If a fighter appears especially flushed, but assures you that this is normal, believe them. Discreetly keep an eye on them if you are not sure. If you see someone that you are genuinely concerned about, there are a couple of things you can do:

• Suggest that they take a break and explain why -- "Wow, you're really flushed and it doesn't look like you're sweating very much. How about taking your helm off for a just a few minutes and cooling down a little bit?" If you are in the shade, between battles for instance, just talk with them for a little while -- usually they will stay and talk and cool down in the process.
• Ask others in his/her group to keep an eye on them -- especially if he/she says this is normal for them. Let other waterbearers and chirurgeons know -- or get a second opinion.
• If they have signs of heat stroke stay with him/her and yell for a marshal (The marshal can then call a chirurgeon).
• Do not leave the area until you are no longer needed. The marshal-in-charge will get someone to the area ASAP, but if you move away from the fighter it will delay getting help to them.

Remember that as a waterbearer you should not be treating anyone unless under the direction of a chirurgeon. If a person is conscious, they can refuse treatment and you must not violate that refusal. Only a marshal can remove a fighter from the field- -- waterbearers can suggest that a fighter take a break, can call it to the attention of the marshal and get the backing of a chirurgeon if necessary, but that fighter may well stay on the field and keep fighting. Try not to get upset about it and definitely don't take it personally. The only way to get people to listen is for all of us to make sound recommendations over a period of time. Unfortunately, it only takes one bad experience with a waterbearer to set us back a long way.

Who's who?

You will need to know a little about the chain of command- who's in charge of who. The waterbearers report to the chirurgeonate, usually through a waterbearer-in-charge. The waterbearer-in-charge is the person responsible for organizing the waterbearers and all the supplies at an event. This person will usually be chosen by the chirurgeon in charge or by the other waterbearers that show up at an event. The other really important person to the waterbearers is the marshal-in-charge. NO ONE can go onto the field or enter the list without this person's permission. Please see the section on Pennsic waterbearing for more information on getting on and off the field at Pennsic. The marshals are there for your protection. They know when it is safe for you to be on the field and when it isn't- listen to them!

How should I dress when I'm going to be waterbearing?

You should wear comfortable clothes that are appropriate for the weather and that you can move quickly in. Consider that your clothing will probably get wet, possibly with Gatorade or other colored substance. At Pennsic that will most likely mean loose, cool clothes. If it's cold or raining, take that into consideration. Closed toe shoes are a must -- your feet will be stepped on by a fighter who doesn't see you. Helmets seriously reduce hearing and peripheral vision, making it tougher for a fighter to know that you are right behind him or her. A lightweight hat or veil will help keep your head cool and cut your exposure to sunburn. For the woods battle, bug repellent, heavy pants and sturdy shoes are highly recommended.

Your Health and Waterbearing

It was mentioned earlier that you need to be able to get on and off the field quickly. This means you need to be realistic about your ability to move quickly while carrying 2+ gallons of water or Gatorade. This doesn't mean you shouldn't offer help if you can't move very quickly or can't carry heavy objects. It just means you will probably be asked to help in other ways such as keeping Gatorade mixed and diluted, filling bottles, helping at resurrection points or providing water to support staff or spectators.

You also need to be realistic about your ability to physically deal well with the Woods Battle. It is not physically easy to carry water in the woods. Please don't volunteer to do so unless you are in good shape. You must attend a waterbearing class and go on the Woods walk to carry water in the woods. Because marshals, chirurgeons and waterbearers go in teams into the woods, it is possible that not everyone who wants to will be able to go into the woods. Your help can still be used at the resurrection points.

Your feet are your friends. Take care of them. Wear good shoes, especially when waterbearing. If your socks and shoes get wet let them dry completely before wearing them again. Foot fungus isn't fun, especially at war. Soaking your feet in a cool pan of water at the end of the day will do wonders for your outlook on life!

If you know that you have a cold, don't contaminate the water that you are carrying with your germs. Carry your own smaller bottle and use it. Make sure to keep yourself hydrated and fed. If you can't remember when you last had a drink, it's been too long.

WEAR SUNSCREEN! Keep in mind that you may be sloshing it off with water and need to reapply often throughout the day.

Practice what you preach. Take frequent breaks, stay in the shade whenever possible, take advantage of the munchies that are available. Know your own limits and don't push yourself over those limits. You can't help others if you go down with heat problems.

Odds and Ends

Hang onto your water bottles. If you hand them to a fighter or a group of fighters and walk away, the bottles will end up on the ground in the middle of the battle. If you feel that passing the bottle around is the quickest way to water the most fighters, stay with the group and reclaim your water bottles when they are through. Return your bottles to Waterbearer's Point after each battle.

You may be asked to assist the chirurgeons. That's fine -- please do what they ask.

If any issues come up that you aren't sure how to deal with, or if you feel a fighter, marshal or chirurgeon has treated you harshly or unfairly, report it to the waterbearer-in-charge immediately.

Remember, we are here to help the fighters (and spectators!) have more fun and stay healthy. They aren't doing this so that we have something to do. Treat others with respect and they will treat you with respect.

Don't overreact to a potential problem. Remember the little boy who cried wolf?

Gatorade and other sports drinks should always be diluted by at least 50%. Alternating them with water, or just diluting them ahead of time can do this. At Pennsic we dilute everything to make it easier.

Make certain that you tell people what they are about to drink. There are people out there that have bad reactions to sports drinks.