Blowpipe
A blowpipe is a weapon that is mainly used by indigenous peoples for hunting , in open combat or as a low-noise stunning or killing instrument.
Layout and function
A traditional blowpipe consists of a pipe up to about 3 m long made of wood , bamboo or similar natural materials, from which bullets - e.g. B. (poisoned) arrows or clay balls - be blown. Basically, blowpipes are made in two ways: Either using an existing pipe, e.g. B. made of bamboo, or by joining two strips that were previously provided with a lengthwise groove. The shooter inserts the bullet into one end of the barrel, puts the end to his mouth and blows firmly into the barrel. There are various ways of building up high pressure. A distinction is made between lip blowers, which close the tube with the lips beforehand and then open them, and tongue blowers, which close the tube with the tongue in order to build up enough pressure. Aiming is done with both eyes open, which means that the blowpipe is perceived twice when aiming at the target. The target should be exactly between the two "apparent" tubes and, depending on the distance and the shooter, sit up a little.
use
hunt
Many Dayak on Borneo used Sumpitan , blowguns with spear blades at the top, where they especially the poison of the battle or hunting, Upasbaumes used. The skin secretions of the poison dart frog are used by some indigenous people in South America . Others extract curare from certain lianas in order to coat their blowpipe arrows. In the jungle, monkeys are also hunted with blowguns; they are shot from the trees from the ground.
The North American Cherokee and other tribes of the southeastern cultural area also made blowguns with which they hunted rabbits and other small animals. Presumably it was a technology import from the Caribbean islands.
The Japanese fukidake was used for hunting.
In Germany and most Western countries hunting is not permitted with blowpipes, since a waidgerechtes killing of animals is not possible.
Veterinary medicine
Today the blowgun is often used by veterinarians to administer anesthetic arrows (including drugs ) to animals from a safe distance . Dangerous animals can be treated from a distance. The administration of narcotics or medication through the blowpipe can also avoid stress in the animal. Unlike traditional arrows, these custom made arrows have two chambers. The anesthetic is in the front chamber, while air is used to generate overpressure in the rear chamber. When it hits the animal, the pressure injects the drug into the animal.
Sports
Blowguns are also used as sports equipment by many people around the world. Materials for modern blowpipes are z. B. Steel, aluminum and carbon fiber tubes. The length of these tubes can be up to two meters and the cross-section up to a maximum of 16 mm, whereby the length can vary and be adapted to your own needs. In terms of diameter, 16 mm seems to be the optimum and at the same time the maximum. However, in most countries an official tournament blowpipe must not be more than 1.21 m long; an inner diameter of 10 mm is more suitable for this length due to the lower weight of the arrow. In general, a length of 1.20 m for an inside diameter of 10 mm, a length of about 1.40 m – 1.60 m for an inside diameter of 12 mm – 14 mm and a length of up to 2.20 m for an inside diameter of 16 mm are considered optimal. The choice of the appropriate caliber and the appropriate barrel length depends on the shooter and the arrows used. Blowpipe shooting during a tournament can be quite exhausting, so that a somewhat smaller and therefore lighter blowpipe is often preferred.
At tournaments of the DBSC (Deutscher Blasrohr Sport Club), shooting is at a target with a diameter of 18 cm from a distance of 5 m to 10 m. This is divided into 3 zones:
- Center with 6 cm diameter and a value of 7 points.
- Medium ring with a diameter of 12 cm and a value of 5 points.
- Outer ring with a diameter of 18 cm and a value of 3 points.
The center of the target hangs at a height of 1.60 m. Exceptions are children and seated participants for whom a height of 90 cm is permitted. A round consists of 5 arrows. One set consists of 6 rounds. A match of 3 sets. A total of 90 arrows are released in a maximum of 90 minutes. After each round, the points are counted under supervision and the arrows are retrieved. This results in the maximum number of points of 35 points per round and 210 points per set. Internationally, the IFA (International Fukiyado Association) represents blowpipe sport and aims to participate in the Olympics. The DBSC (German Blowpipe Sport Club) is the recognized German association of blowpipe sport shooters and is therefore also responsible for the above tournament rules.
Since 2016 the Bay. Sportschützenbund (BSSB) added blowpipe shooting as a discipline. BSSB tournaments have their own rules. The aim of the BSSB is to be able to offer blowpipe sport nationwide in the Bavarian rifle clubs in the future. A nationwide distribution in the other state associations of the German Shooting Federation (DSB) is aimed for.
toy
Blowguns are also often used by children as toys to shoot paper balls. As a rule, only small plastic pipes with a maximum length of 30 cm are used here, e.g. B. the sheaths of disused fiber pins or hollowed elder branches. Paper projectiles are usually harmless. If, on the other hand, peas , sharp arrows, airsoft balls or the like are used, a blowpipe can cause serious injuries, for example to the eyes. Likewise, " paintballs ", which can also be shot with a blowpipe, are not to be classified as harmless.
legislation
In Germany, blowguns are not subject to the Weapons Act and can therefore be manufactured yourself or acquired regardless of age or purchase authorization. Blowguns may not be used for hunting in Germany.
health
The health aspects of blowgun sport should not be underestimated either, with regular training the lung volume increases noticeably, which improves the condition. In some cases of breathing difficulties, blowpipe shooting is even used as a therapy, but this should be discussed with the doctor beforehand, especially in the following cases:
- Aneurysm : pressure fluctuations in the thoracic area, possible risk of rupture
- Cor pulmonale : The lung resistance increases relatively strongly for a short time; this could put more stress on the heart and circulation
- Asthma : Blowgun sport can even be a good training tool for conscious exhalation in the event of a bronchial spasm.
See also
literature
- Zahorka, Herwig: blowpipe and poison arrows. Pirsch 2/2013: 76–81
- Rainforest weapon - blowpipe and poison arrow . jagderleben.de, January 17, 2013 (accessed November 10, 2015)
Web links
- Bayerischer Sportschützenbund - Blowpipe discipline
- German Blowpipe Association
- The Forum German Blowpipe Sport Club
- International Fukiyado Association
- The German Blowpipe Sports Club
Individual evidence
- ↑ Wolfgang Lindig et al. Mark Münzel: The Indians. Cultures and history of the Indians of North, Central and South America . dtv, Munich 1978, ISBN 3-423-04317-X . P. 116
- ↑ Appendix 2 to the Weapons Act ; Section 3 Subsection 2 No. 2.
