From: Michael Moynihan <mmoynihan-AT-wi.rr.com>
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:48:02 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] DRY WALLER STILTS


If you choose to use stilts you must realize that at some tie you will  
fall.
Other people, pets, and unexpected objects can cause a fall.
Plan ahead, even practice falling.
Never fall backwards. Twist so you fall forward or at least land on  
your side.
Never break the fall with your arms. Cross then in front of your  
chest, tuck your chin and relax completely when you fall.
I have know very experienced stilt walkers/dancers who have suffered  
broken wrists, arms, head concussions, even a broken back. Part of  
practice is practicing fall.
Always practice with a partner.

- m

On Sep 21, 2008, at 10:35 PM, Mathieu René wrote:

> Woah,
> I'm totally heeding the warnings. I didn't suspect it to be THAT  
> dangerous.
>
> I haven't been worried about falling, but maybe I should.
>
> I've been "blessed" with surprising balance a few years ago, from an
> accident.
> I slipped on a patch of ice and the back of my head landed right on  
> it.
> Since then, my body is so afftraid to fall that it's automatically  
> adjusting
> balance, no matter what.
> I don't need (nor have time nor choice) to think about it. This  
> means that
> the brain might choose to break an arm in its effort to  
> counterweight in the
> air, if it means preventing a fall. I got a few strains over the  
> years from
> these reflexes. Annoying. But I never broke anything. It's not  
> absolutely
> failsafe, but it's very efficient. Maybe the brain just got fed up,  
> because
> that was the second nasty back-of-head bump in my life (first one as  
> a kid,
> also on a patch of ice, mucho hallucinations.)  I almost wish I was  
> kidding,
> because if I had more control over it, I might choose to fall when I  
> need
> to. It's quite a handicap when I try to fully play volleyball. Most  
> people
> have no quarrel landing on their face and belly and arms if it means
> catching a ball...on hardwood or gravel. No such choice for me.
> LoL
> Still, the automatic balance thing is quite useful!
>
> I'll still play it safe. One fall is enough to hurt a budding  
> career. I'll
> either get the Dura-Stilts, or make mine following the same  
> principles,
> asking for in-person help from a friend who's a skilled wood worker.
> The decision will be made according to available time and money.
> I'll extensively test the chosen option well before the event(s).
>
> If all fails, I'll just raise the mask itself to the height I need,
> following the tradition of large body puppets.
> The weight would be on my shoulders.
>
>
>
>
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