Principle 2: Practice Responsibility

Shinjuries, ankle-things, and other accidents happen all the time. Do you carry a first aid kit? Have a plan in the event of an emergency? Take proactive measures to be safety conscious and protect yourself and the people around you from hazards that may be caused from training in public spaces. Check your surfaces and obstacles, learn basic first aid and CPR, and carry items you think may be needed in the case of an emergency.

• Carry your personal identification and emergency contact information.
• Let others know when and where you’re going to train.
• Be seen to be safe – stick to well-lit spaces with others around.

Parkour leaves a mark. Think about the impact your training has on the environment. The goal of training outdoors is to move and exercise while avoiding damage to public spaces. Understanding how parkour causes impact is necessary to accomplish this goal. Respect and preserve the spaces that are trained in. Pick up trash and leave the spaces in a better state of quality to help protect future experiences. Consider the durability and stability of obstacles, surfaces, or equipment used.

In public spaces, everything moves quickly where social encounters are bound to happen. Pedestrians walking or running by, a biker speeding through, or a leashed dog barking suddenly. “What are you doing?” “Parkour!” “Can you do a backflip?” Being stopped by another person can be stressful – whether it’s to handle comments or answer questions.

Being ready to communicate means that you have gathered the right information and can share it appropriately. In the context of responsibility, do you know why you’re practicing parkour? Are you sure it’s an acceptable activity in the space you’re practicing? 

Take time to prepare for communication in the event that it is needed.