Student Waiver
I entirely upon my own initiative and risk and responsibility am about to participate in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Grappling Martial Arts training at Wyvern BJJ.
I am at least 18 years of age. If I am under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian will sign below on my behalf.
I understand that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling Martial Arts can cause serious injury or even death. I will be learning to immobilise an opponent by choking them unconscious or causing major trauma to joints such as the shoulder, knee, or elbow.
At some point, everyone who trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling Martial Arts long enough will suffer at least a minor injury. Knowing all of the above, I freely choose to participate in class and acknowledge my risk.
Therefore, I do hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators release and hold harmless Wyvern BJJ, seminar instructors, and any of the club instructors, from any and all liability, negligence, claims demands, actions, or causes of actions, or cause of injury actions resulting from any participation in this sport/activity/class and associated activity.
I hereby attest that I am in good general health to take part in physical activity and have not been advised against participating by a qualified medical professional. I certify that there are no health-related reasons or problems which preclude my participation in this activity.
If I have any underlying health issues or worries I will declare and discuss these with the instructor or club safeguarding lead prior to the commencement of the class. This disclosure is my responsibility.
Club Rules
No shoes on the mats.
No piercings or jewellery.
No zips, buttons or pockets.
Zero tolerance on skin infections.
Do not come to training if you feel unwell, colds, coughs etc.
Always wear your shoes to the toilet.
Always keep nails closely trimmed.
Always maintain a decent level of hygiene.
Always look after the health & safety of other students.
Photos & Videos, 18+ only to be taken with the consent of each individual present.
Risk Management & Safety
Wyvern BJJ recognises that there are sporting risks of injury or even death for participants in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, as with many sports/physical activities. It is essential for individuals to understand the role that they can play in minimising risks to their safety and maximising the positive effects on their health and well-being.
Individuals must take personal responsibility for their own safety every time they step onto the mats and participate in the sport, and coaches must make sure that individuals understand the gravity of their responsibility in their first classes and regularly thereafter.
Wyvern BJJ ensures that all Instructors are properly qualified and able to deliver classes in a safe manner and if they have any doubts in the area of risk management they should refer to Wyvern BJJ's Risk Assessment Form for advice and guidance.
Instructor qualifications
All instructors should be:
• DBS/DS checked so that academy owners can make an assessment of suitability for teaching BJJ.
• First aid trained in a course related to combat sports.
• Child protection trained (for those teachers juniors and juveniles).
• Minimum purple belt in BJJ.
• Valid instructor insurance policy.
Risk assessment
All coaches should carry out a risk assessment that encompasses the training area, the number of Students and their level of experience whenever they teach a class and apply the guidelines of the UKBJJA in their delivery of the class.
Accident reporting
Any incident that results in the administration of first aid is to be recorded in the accident book. This will be assessed regularly to see if there are patterns that might be addressed to minimise risks going forwards.
Training area
A safe training area is essential to manage the risks associated with BJJ. The mats for the safe practice of BJJ at Wyvern BJJ are 120 kg per cubic meter density, Cannon Premium Roll-away Mats with a non-slip base.
The mats are firm underfoot and have adequate shock-absorbing properties. Care must be taken to avoid gaps in mats or torn surfaces as these can present a significant injury risk.
The training area must be assessed for potential risks, with particular care taken to identify sharp edges/ hard surfaces that might cause serious injury
Instructors carry a fully stocked and available first aid kit to treat minor injuries and abrasions.
The training area must be of suitable size for purpose, with a recommended area of 2-3 square metres per person for live sparring.
Student numbers should not exceed 24 per qualified coach in the training area.
The building BYCC & Wyvern BJJ holds valid third-party liability insurance.
The building BYCC complies with all applicable building regulations and fire regulations.
Tapping Out (Submission techniques)
Understanding tapping out or submission is essential to the safe practice of BJJ.
Tapping is training! All beginners must understand that tapping out is a normal and healthy part of BJJ and is essential for safe enjoyment of the sport.
All beginners must be made aware of how tapping out works and the importance of understanding that tapping out is the personal responsibility of every BJJ player and essential to the safe practice of BJJ.
It is essential for beginners to understand that they must always apply techniques in a controlled manner and give their opponent time to submit and that holds must be released immediately upon submission.
All students must be covered by third-party liability insurance that covers litigation.
Illegal/foul techniques
All beginners should be made aware of the rules of Jiu-Jitsu, and what constitutes a foul technique (e.g. grabbing fingers, fingers in mouth or eyes) so that basic knowledge of the rules is understood in the first class.
Slams represent a very real risk of injury and beginners must be educated about the rules for slamming an opponent, especially in the guard position or to escape submissions.
Falling
Learning how to roll and break-fall is a key part of minimising the risk of injury and must be part of any beginners introduction to BJJ.
Chokes and strangles
Coaches must be aware of the dangers of chokeholds and strangles and should advise someone who has been rendered unconscious not to participate further in the class. The person should also be advised not to train for at least a week in case of damage to blood vessels that may result in serious consequences such as a stroke.
Beginners must be educated as to the significant dangers of practicing a sport that involves chokes and strangles and made aware of the potential consequences that not tapping might have on their personal safety and well-being. It is essential for all beginners to understand the signs that a Training partner might be unconscious (for example snoring/rasping breath limpness or convulsions).
Joint Hyperextensions
Beginners must be made aware of the potential for damage to their joints when practicing Jiu-Jitsu. It is essential that all participants understand they have a responsibility to submit BEFORE there is pain or injury.
Declaring medical conditions
Pre-existing injuries and medical conditions present one of the greatest risks to participant safety in Jiu-Jitsu and new participants should be asked clearly. To state any medical condition that may be relevant (e.g. asthma or diabetes).
They should always have any relevant medication with them in the event that it is needed in an emergency.
If there is any doubt as to whether a pre existing injury or condition might present a significant risk of harm then the student should be advised to seek the advice of their GP before participating.
Warm-up
There should always be an appropriate warm up before engaging in any strenuous activity.
Commencing live sparring without a warm-up dramatically increases the chance of injury.
Hygiene
Good hygiene is an essential part of training in close proximity to others and risks associated with communicable diseases must be managed carefully.
Any open wound must be treated immediately and nobody should participate in training or sparring when bleeding or with an open wound.
Any blood on mats must be cleaned up with disinfectant and nobody should train in closing that is blood-stained.
Nobody should train or compete with a skin infection and coaches must be educated on recognising signs of skin infections. It should be a subject that is discussed openly and BJJ practitioners must be made aware of the symptoms of skin infections and feel able to seek advice from coaches and officials about diagnosis and treatment.
Jewellery and piercings
Jewellery and piercings present an increased risk of injury to all participants and should not be allowed.
In the event that someone is unable to remove a piercing or piece of jewelery it may be taped at the discretion of a qualified coach.
Juniors
For full details of risk management in relation to Juniors please see our Junior Policy.
Competitions
Competitions should have a minimum of one paramedic onsite at all times All the guidelines from this risk management document should be applied and full risk assessment carried out for each tournament.
Child Protection Policy
Wyvern BJJ is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in its care.
It recognises the responsibility to promote safe practices and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.
For the purposes of this policy and associated procedures, a child is recognised as someone under the age of 18 years.
Staff and volunteers will work together to embrace difference and diversity and respect the rights of children and young people.
This document outlines Wyvern BJJ’s commitment to protecting children.
These guidelines are based on the following principles:
• The welfare of children is the primary concern.
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, socio-economic status, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from all forms of harm and abuse.
• Child protection is everyone's responsibility.
• Children have the right to express views on all matters which affect them, should they wish to do so.
• Organisations shall work in partnership together with children and parents/carers to promote the welfare, health and development of children.
Wyvern BJJ will:
• Promote the health and welfare of children by providing opportunities for them to take part in Jiu-Jitsu safely.
• Respect and promote the rights, wishes and feelings of children.
• Promote and implement appropriate procedures to safeguard the well-being of children and protect them from abuse.
• Recruit, train, support and supervise its staff, members and volunteers to adopt best practice to safeguard and protect children from abuse and to reduce risk to themselves.
• Require staff, members and volunteers to adopt and abide by this Child Protection Policy and these procedures.
• Respond to any allegations of misconduct or abuse of children in line with this Policy and these procedures as well as implement, where appropriate, the relevant disciplinary and appeals procedures.
• Observe guidelines issued by local Child Protection Committees for the protection of children.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Policy and these procedures.
Review
This Policy and these Procedures will be regularly reviewed:
• In accordance with changes in legislation and guidance on the protection of children or following any changes within Wyvern BJJ.
• Following any issues or concerns raised about the protection of children within Wyvern BJJ.
• In all other circumstances, at least every three years.
Wyvern BJJ take Bullying, Safeguarding & Welfare concerns very seriously, all matters of safety & wellbeing, inside & outside the club of concern should be reported to one of our Welfare Officers.
Wyvern BJJ Welfare Officer:
Mark Vickery - 07801245433 - support@wyvernbjj.com
Our UKBJJA Child Protection Officer:
Catherine Elder. She can be contacted at cat.elder@ukbjja.org
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