BAOC and the USOF have adopted SportIdent electronic punching, a system that is very user-friendly for competitors and operators. EP is now the norm in Europe and at all major multi-day events. Here is an outline of EP procedures that will be used at BAOC events.

Courses utilizing electronic punching, generally the advanced courses at B meets, require the use of competitor e-cards (finger sticks) which are either purchased or rented. The finger sticks contain computer chips that exchange data with the master, clear, check, control, start and finish units. Needle punching will not be used on EP courses. Competitors may not use sticks registered to another person.

1. REGISTRATION- If needed, rent a finger stick ($2) form the club when registering for your course. The finger stick will replace the paper control card. You will not longer have the card on which to write your descriptions or as a reminder during your run of controls visited.

2. EP TABLE- Enter your card data using in the master unit at the EP Table manned by the BAOC EP Cadre, your friendly EP provider. Your name, E-card serial number and course information will be entered in the computer at this time. The stick must remain in the unit for a few seconds. In the case of pre-registration, this step may not be required.

3. PRE-START- Clear your card of old data using the "clear unit" and check it at the "check unit" provided before the start line. It will take about five seconds to clear. At some events there may be no check unit.

4. START- At your assigned start time, insert your stick in the start unit until you here the beep. Remove your E-card and proceed around the course. The start and control units will take less than a second to download. At non-"A" meets, the time at which the start unit beeps is recorded to your finger stick as your official start time. At "A" meets, your assigned start time is used for timing your run.

5. CONTROLS- Punch at each control using your finger stick and the control units rather than needle punch and paper card. Hold your finger stick in the unit until your hear the beep and see the flashing light, less than a second. Only one flash is necessary. Your finger stick will record the control number and time. There will be a beep and light whether or not this is your correct control. If you withdraw too soon, you will receive a miss-punch.. This is the most common cause of DQ associated with EP. If, for any reason there is no beep or flashing light, punch your map with the needle punch provided and report it after your run. If you punched out of order without re-punching in the correct order, you will be disqualified unless the Meet Director determines that you clearly did not gain an advantage.

6. FINISH- At the finish line punch the finish unit. This will record your official finish time. Punching on the finish line is unusual so don't forget.

7. UPLOAD- As soon as possible after you finish visit the EP table to upload your run data. Be sure to remember this step as it is the only way for 1) your result to be recorded and 2) to confirm you have returned from the forest. Rental cards will be collected here.

8. RESULTS- Results will be posted periodically which will include split times for each competitor with the fastest for each leg highlighted. If possible, the cadre will provide individual split sheets to individual finishers soon after downloading.

SportIdent punching is extremely reliable and simple to use. If you have any questions, comments or problems please speak with a Cadre member. We hope EP will add to your orienteering experience.