How to be a Fursuit Handler!
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How to be a Fursuit Handler
How to be a Fursuit Handler
A Fursuiters most important resource--A fursuit Handler! A Fursuit Handler is a person that is Not in a fursuit that helps guide and watch out for the people who are in fursuit. Handlers are Extremely important in public fursuiting. If you are suiting outside of a convention, you should NEVER go out without a handler present! Make sure the handler is a person you trust, and someone that will look out for you. You never know how the public will feel or react to you and your fursuit.
So with that said, here are some tips on how to be a good handler! There are lots of things you should know!
-Know your fursuiter. Sometimes, if someone has never been in a suit before, they don't understand what problems fursuiters have or what they need. So you need to learn what they need before saying you'll be a handler! Ask a fursuiter what their needs may be, and make sure you will be helpful!
Things we recommend you know: They always need water, a snack should be carried, any special needs they may have, should help carry any emergency medications the wearer may need.
Also know, your fursuiter is your #1 priority while you are handling for them. They cannot see the best, they cannot hear, help be their second pair of ears and eyes and help them out!
-ALWAYS have plenty of water! Being a handler, you are a suiters #1 source for water. Fursuiters need water on them at all times. Bottled, in a water bag, in a cup with a straw, whatever! They need water. Not sodas or sugary juices, Water. (Gatorade can also work). They need a liquid that will replenish their bodies as they are sweating A lot under those costumes. Fursuiters who don't have enough water are in danger of dehydration and/or heat stroke. Keep them safe! Keep them Hydrated! Ask them to drink water every once in a while as sometimes they may be too distracted to ask you for some, so take them to the side and ask them to take a drink before they continue.
-Know Signals! Fursuiters should always have signals ready for an emergency in case they do not want to talk, or for any reason cannot talk. As far as I know there are no known signals, so have fursuiters make their own and explain them to you. Be sure to learn them well!
Signals should include: I Need Water, I need a headless break, I need help, I'm feeling ill, and Emergency Help. Be sure to keep an eye on your fursuiter and watch for these signals.
-Pay Attention! Sometimes handlers get distracted, but it is important most of your focus is on your fursuiter and the people around them. You are watching for signals, people being too rough, and more. Many times handlers are also in charge of cameras, be sure you can watch the suiter and tend to photos/filming at the same time. Never loose sight of your fursuiter! Make sure you can see them at all times!
-Watch for people being too rough or getting violent! This also goes for verbal insults. Fursuiters don't like this kind of treatment just like anyone wouldn't. In our experiences most people do not bother us if we have a handler in clear sight. But sometimes people think they are cool or what not and can be rude or rough on a fursuiter. Step in! Don't be afraid to protect them. Tell the person to leave, and if needed, get some kind of authority. When it comes to kids, keep an eye on the child to make sure they are not pulling on the fursuiter or being mean. If they are, tell the child they need to leave, if the child does not respond, find the parent and alert them. Then leave the area. Kids can be rough. Make sure you are looking after your fursuiter, don't let kids ruin their suits!
-Be Their Eyes! Fursuiters have limited vision, some better than others, but no fursuit has "perfect" vision. They have limitations. Ask them what their vision limits are. Help them with things like curbs, bumps, puddles, and more. As well as kids, most fursuits have muzzles, and we cannot see under them. It is easy to loose sight of a child and possibly run into them! Help fursuiters by being their second pair of eyes!
-Keep a close eye on messy kids! Sometimes kids have sticky hands and faces and want hugs and what not. Even though you may feel mean, if a kid is too messy, don't let them near the suiter. Just have the suiter wave and interact from a distance.
-Watch out for Trouble Teens! Most times teens think they'll look cool picking on a fursuiter. So when they come around, be sure to be near your fursuiter. They can cause lots of trouble!
-Watch for signs of exhaustion and/or heat stroke! Learn the symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke. Sometimes it can be hard to spot when they are in suit, but there are signs. Their performance or energy can be down, they can be not interacting with people as much as they were, or even just starring off into space. It is important to ask the fursuiter if they need help if you a significant change in their behavior.
-Keep an eye out for good headless break areas! Fursuiters need headless/water breaks. In public this can be hard to do as you wanna find an area where people cannot see you take the mask off! So if you see a good area where there are no people, and is hidden, ask the fursuiter if they would like a break and some water. If they turn it down, remember the area for later!
Following all these tips will make you a great handler! Fursuiters can't be out and about without you, so be their guide! You are our #1 resource to keep us safe! You are Extremely important! To those who help handle fursuiters, Thank you!
So with that said, here are some tips on how to be a good handler! There are lots of things you should know!
-Know your fursuiter. Sometimes, if someone has never been in a suit before, they don't understand what problems fursuiters have or what they need. So you need to learn what they need before saying you'll be a handler! Ask a fursuiter what their needs may be, and make sure you will be helpful!
Things we recommend you know: They always need water, a snack should be carried, any special needs they may have, should help carry any emergency medications the wearer may need.
Also know, your fursuiter is your #1 priority while you are handling for them. They cannot see the best, they cannot hear, help be their second pair of ears and eyes and help them out!
-ALWAYS have plenty of water! Being a handler, you are a suiters #1 source for water. Fursuiters need water on them at all times. Bottled, in a water bag, in a cup with a straw, whatever! They need water. Not sodas or sugary juices, Water. (Gatorade can also work). They need a liquid that will replenish their bodies as they are sweating A lot under those costumes. Fursuiters who don't have enough water are in danger of dehydration and/or heat stroke. Keep them safe! Keep them Hydrated! Ask them to drink water every once in a while as sometimes they may be too distracted to ask you for some, so take them to the side and ask them to take a drink before they continue.
-Know Signals! Fursuiters should always have signals ready for an emergency in case they do not want to talk, or for any reason cannot talk. As far as I know there are no known signals, so have fursuiters make their own and explain them to you. Be sure to learn them well!
Signals should include: I Need Water, I need a headless break, I need help, I'm feeling ill, and Emergency Help. Be sure to keep an eye on your fursuiter and watch for these signals.
-Pay Attention! Sometimes handlers get distracted, but it is important most of your focus is on your fursuiter and the people around them. You are watching for signals, people being too rough, and more. Many times handlers are also in charge of cameras, be sure you can watch the suiter and tend to photos/filming at the same time. Never loose sight of your fursuiter! Make sure you can see them at all times!
-Watch for people being too rough or getting violent! This also goes for verbal insults. Fursuiters don't like this kind of treatment just like anyone wouldn't. In our experiences most people do not bother us if we have a handler in clear sight. But sometimes people think they are cool or what not and can be rude or rough on a fursuiter. Step in! Don't be afraid to protect them. Tell the person to leave, and if needed, get some kind of authority. When it comes to kids, keep an eye on the child to make sure they are not pulling on the fursuiter or being mean. If they are, tell the child they need to leave, if the child does not respond, find the parent and alert them. Then leave the area. Kids can be rough. Make sure you are looking after your fursuiter, don't let kids ruin their suits!
-Be Their Eyes! Fursuiters have limited vision, some better than others, but no fursuit has "perfect" vision. They have limitations. Ask them what their vision limits are. Help them with things like curbs, bumps, puddles, and more. As well as kids, most fursuits have muzzles, and we cannot see under them. It is easy to loose sight of a child and possibly run into them! Help fursuiters by being their second pair of eyes!
-Keep a close eye on messy kids! Sometimes kids have sticky hands and faces and want hugs and what not. Even though you may feel mean, if a kid is too messy, don't let them near the suiter. Just have the suiter wave and interact from a distance.
-Watch out for Trouble Teens! Most times teens think they'll look cool picking on a fursuiter. So when they come around, be sure to be near your fursuiter. They can cause lots of trouble!
-Watch for signs of exhaustion and/or heat stroke! Learn the symptoms of dehydration and heat stroke. Sometimes it can be hard to spot when they are in suit, but there are signs. Their performance or energy can be down, they can be not interacting with people as much as they were, or even just starring off into space. It is important to ask the fursuiter if they need help if you a significant change in their behavior.
-Keep an eye out for good headless break areas! Fursuiters need headless/water breaks. In public this can be hard to do as you wanna find an area where people cannot see you take the mask off! So if you see a good area where there are no people, and is hidden, ask the fursuiter if they would like a break and some water. If they turn it down, remember the area for later!
Following all these tips will make you a great handler! Fursuiters can't be out and about without you, so be their guide! You are our #1 resource to keep us safe! You are Extremely important! To those who help handle fursuiters, Thank you!