Equipment

Each fencer must have certain equipment to be allowed to fence.   Protective gear, such as a mask (not a "helmet"), a glove, long socks, and "whites," which are white knickers and a jacket, all protect the fencer from the opponent's strikes.   Bruises are still possible, but serious injury is extremely rare.   Fencers must also have a weapon (or "blade," but never "sword") and a body cord (which connects the blade to the reel) so that his touches can be registered by the scoring machine.  

Foil and Saber fencers also wear a lamé, which is a metal-woven jacket (with sleeves for saber) that conduct small electrical currents when hit by an opponent's blade.   This electrical signal is sent through the body cord, the reel, and the floor cord to the scoring box.