My best friend's husband was one of the gunners. As you may know, the AKC does have some pretty strict standards for gunners. But our Hunt Test Committee (I don't think there is a better one in the country) is ALL about safety. Whether it's AED's at every stake, prepping marshals about emergency procedures, inservice training for the kids working the popper guns, and careful selection of judges... everything begins and ends with safety. I just saw those gun barrels swinging up and around and freaked out. Probably at no time were we in real danger.
Interestingly, the last 3 HT's we've had medical emergencies requiring that people be transported to the hospital. Once it was dehydration, once an infected wound (acquired prior to the event) in a diabetic that began looking very bad, and this year a neurological issue. Just weird. But everyone is very schooled about what to do, who to call, and when something happens, everyone just seamlessly jumps in the gap to keep things rolling. It is amazing how people will put their shoulder to the wheel and volunteer when things start to go dirty side up.
I can't say enough about the club and the folks in leadership.