Let’s not kid ourselves, folks … working a large USPSA match as staff is, well, work. Sure, we do it because we love the sport and want to contribute, and it generally is rather fun, but it’s work, plain and simple.
Working a one-day larger Level I or Level II USPSA match is one thing. The biggest concern there is hydration if it is hot or staying warm enough if it is cool; although don’t think hydration in the cold isn't important, because it can be. Physically, the demands of a one-day match are tempered by the fact that you will probably have the days after to recover. But what about the multi-day match, and this includes matches where you are helping with setup one or more days, shooting as staff, and then working that one-day match? Now you are going to start accumulating fatigue for many reasons. In addition, there are the big, multi-day matches where you may be on your feet and working for three days to almost two weeks. Those longer matches are going to test your mettle as a Range Officer.
Let’s talk about different factors and what you can do to help give yourself a fighting chance.
HYDRATION
Even during a cool or cold match, hydration is important. Chasing competitors around burns energy. As such, you are going to be blowing off a lot of water through perspiration and exhaling it as part of breathing. A good rule of thumb here is that if you aren't having to visit the bathroom every few hours, then you are likely dehydrated. Much has been stated about monitoring the color of one’s urine but that can be difficult at best in a port-a-potty, and there are so many other factors that play into urine color (medications, diet, etc.) that it isn’t that great of a barometer.
If it is hot (heat index over 90 degrees), then you likely cannot drink enough water through the course of the day to stay hydrated. If you are pushing hydration, you are also going to be risking washing out your electrolytes. Hypokalemia is not a place you want to go, folks. So it is also a good idea to add some electrolytes to your drinking water. Many blood pressure medications will also contribute to dehydration and loss of electrolytes. If you are on blood pressure medications and don’t know if yours, do this—talk to your doctor or do some research about your medications online.
Avoid high carbohydrate sports drinks like Gatorade or Powerade, at least at full bottle strength, if you can. Those do have some electrolytes, but they have far too much sugar for most of us—and while sugar can be quick energy, there isn't enough water in there to counteract the effect of all that sugar, which will actually make dehydration worse. If you are stuck with those types of drinks as your only option, cut them with water at a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio.
There are several oral hydration formulations on the market now beyond the ones that are primarily sugar; pick one, learn how you react to it, and use it. The powdered versions are often easier to travel with. You can just dump them in a bottle of water when needed. In cases where it is extremely hot, all you can really do is try and minimize the deficit and start again tomorrow, hopefully in a fully hydrated state. Alcohol does tend to exacerbate dehydration, especially when consumed in excess amounts, and is not necessarily the fuel of choice so be cautious with your evening libations. A hangover in the heat is not what you want.
SLEEP
After hydration, this is going to be one of the hardest things to take care of when working a match. The Range Master(s) are likely to want you on your stage at least 30 minutes before the first shot is scheduled to be fired to get your stage in order for the day, and match hotels are rarely real close to the range. It can often mean a 5:00 a.m. wake up to be on the range at 7:00 a.m. after a 30-minute drive for first shots at 7:30 a.m.
Most of us need at least seven hours of quality sleep to be fully functional.
Most of us need at least seven hours of quality sleep to be fully functional; some more, some less. Many of us can handle a sleep deficit for a few days but then it is going to catch up to us. If you are like me, that first night in a hotel bed is never all that great. Plus, there is always the temptation to stay up late enjoying the fellowship of old friends you don't see often enough, new friends you just made and so on. Thus, we tend to be hitting the sack too late and getting up too early for several days in a row and pretty quickly we are dragging. Toss in some jet lag if you crossed a couple time zones, and your ticket to sleep deprivation is pretty much punched. If you are lucky enough to get some down time on your stage a quick catnap under the shade shelter can really help. Your mileage may vary and don’t necessarily expect this luxury.
NUTRITION
This is the only factor that is mostly under our control. I say mostly because we don’t always have control over what we will be served for lunch on the range. Range food has a well-earned poor reputation but in my time in the sport it has improved, markedly. You always have the option to bring your own food for lunch. I know several people that do just that. I always bring some high protein snacks (protein bars, jerky, low-fat cheese sticks, etc.) and some carbs for quick energy (trail mix is my go-to here). You are also going to need to get some salt in those snacks and all those I listed above generally have some salt in them.
Be sure you eat breakfast, even if you normally are not a big breakfast eater. You are going to want protein, lots of it, as well as the usual carbs—and it can be hard to get those without some fat, which you also need despite the media-driven craze for eliminating fat. You are likely going to burn through all of that on the range, so don't worry about it. Starting the day in an energy deficit isn't preparing for success.
After the match, the requisite shower and beer (or shower beer for multi-tasking people), you need to grab some dinner. Gut bombs from the fast food joint down the street aren’t really what you want. You need a good meal. Most of us aren’t teenagers anymore who can eat anything and get away with it. The longer the match goes, the more important proper dinners can be. At dinner you want to get your energy balances back up, as well as hydrate. Don’t eschew carbs at dinner. Athletes generally carbo-load the night before an event for a reason.
CLOTHING
How we are dressed is entirely under our control, but we cannot control the weather, yet. To put it simply, dress for success. Check the local weather forecast and then remember that weather forecasts aren’t to be trusted. You probably don’t need to be concerned about snow and freezing cold in Florida in August, but it still can be a bit chilly in the morning before the sun gets over the berm. In the high desert, like St. George and Las Vegas, we may see triple digits on the thermometer in the afternoon but start the day in the 50s.
I generally like the layered approach so I can be comfortable during cool mornings, shedding layers as the day warms up, adding them back if it cools off, and so on. That way, I can stay relatively comfortable all day long. You likely will want a hat with a brim to help block some of the sunlight and of course, sunscreen. Even cold weather matches, especially in the snow, are going to need some sunscreen for exposed skin. Rain gear is usually a good idea to have handy at many match locations. I also find a pair of lightweight gloves to be handy at times.
And, while not really clothing, I’ll lump a good bug repellent in here. Biting flies, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers and so on just make your life miserable. There are many non-DEET insect repellents on the market that appear to work well if you are concerned about DEET.
Traction is important, especially on grass or in the mud.
Let’s also not forget about good footwear. Remember, you are going to be on your feet all day. You may not really want to work the entire match in flip-flops. Traction is important, especially on grass or in the mud. Good foot support and even ankle support can make the difference between just tired feet and injured feet. Good socks that wick perspiration away and help keep your feet warm, if necessary, are worth their weight in gold. I often carry a spare pair of socks in my range backpack along with some good foot powder, and change at noon.
In search-and-rescue circles, they have a saying—“cotton kills.” It’s true. While cotton is comfortable when it is dry, it has no insulation value, at all, when wet—even just from perspiration. While this is a much bigger danger in the cold, it can also be in play when it is hot and humid. High-tech fabrics like those from TechWear, Under Armor and others can make an enormous difference when it is hot. But you can darn near freeze to death in that stuff in cold weather if you don't have insulating layers working for you as well. Under Armor, Carhartt, 5.11 Tactical and other companies also make lines of high-tech fabrics for cold weather. My personal experience with these brands has been good.
Wet cotton also tends to be abrasive to the skin which can lead to chafing. Ever worn denim jeans that are wet and done a lot of walking, only to find some seriously painful sores on your thighs, behind your knees and other sensitive areas? You know what I’m talking about then. And remember that many undergarments are made of cotton. Several vendors make products that help skin glide against things it rubs up against, like fabric and other pieces of skin. They are inexpensive and can really save the day. If you can’t find any at your local store, try bicycle shops. Folks that ride long distances know about chafing and how to combat it.
PERSONAL COMFORT ITEMS
I always carry a few personal comfort items with me on the range. I generally have the usual band-aids, athletic tape, finger splints, blister dressings, tweezers for splinters, as well as my personal stash of NSAIDs, Benadryl, Imodium, sting swabs, antacids, lubricating eye drops, etc.
Depending on your personal health status, you may need to carry other medications or supplies. Additionally, don’t forget any medications you might need, especially rescue inhalers, EpiPens and other prescriptions.
BREAKS
If the competition is properly scheduled and you aren’t backed up the entire match, you should have some short breaks throughout the day. When you have a chance to get off your feet—even for a couple minutes—do it. Pull your shoes and socks off and massage your feet. Check for blisters or chafing and deal with those appropriately. It’s amazing how much better your feet will feel.
Everyone is different. Know your limits.
All these things feed back into helping you be alert, as well as physically and mentally prepared to face the day of working the match. The worse the deficit gets, the worse you get as a Range Officer. Everyone is different. Know your limits. If you have miscalculated, and have hit that point where you shouldn’t be running shooters, talk to your Chief Range Officer or the Range Master. Just “powering through” might not be the right decision.
A short “Survival Guide” covering the rules and duties that all major USPSA match Range Officers should know is available for download at the National Range Officers Institute website at nroi.org.
Don’t forget to have fun out there. Being prepared will make your days on the range more enjoyable and much more fun.
Article from the September/October 2024 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
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