Paintball Safety Gear
Many people ask "is paintball safe", and the real answer is yes, as long as you are wearing the correct safety gear. You'd never see a baseball catcher go out without a face mask, or a hockey player skate onto the ice without a helmet, and you shouldn't expect to play (or have your child play) paintball without the correct gear.
The Correct Safety Equipment for Playing Paintball
You are playing a ruthless game of paintball with your fellow paintball enthusiasts and you get hit multiple times. Chances are you will be bruised the next day but no major threats are waiting. You may survive some serious injuries once, but it is always important to stay safe when playing paintball by having the right equipment for it.
You want to make sure that all the sensitive parts of your body are covered with the proper equipment. There is tons of safety equipment for paintballing out there so there are no excuses not to invest in some. Whether it’s a face mask or a pair of knee pads, protecting your body during a game of paintball is necessary. The follow are a few helpful suggestions regarding the correct safety equipment for playing paintball.
Face Masks: Your face is probably one of the most vulnerable parts of your body. The last thing you want is a severely injured eye as eye injuries are very common in paintball games. In fact, face masks are requirement during a game of paintball and they are made to protect both your eyes and your ears. The important factor is that the face mask should be comfortable for wearing. It must be so comfortable that it almost feel non-existent. There are a variety of different masks and sizes and paintballers must try them on first. There are soft and hard ones and those that fall in between. The harder the mask, the more protection you will have. Soft masks, on the other hand, have more flexibility. The perfect fit will prevent any blisters and prevent further problems.
Face masks also come with other optional features. These include visors, goggles and fans. Visors are important for keeping the glare off if you are wearing goggles. The better vision you have, the better you will aim and see potential threats. Goggles are another feature that are also beneficial for peripheral vision. Last but not least, many players add fans to their masks in order to keep them cool and reduce fog from the lens.
Knee and Elbow Pads: Knees are essential for being able to walk and you do not want to injure them during a game of paintball. You can wear knee pads to protect your knees upon impact, especially if you play on hard surfaces. Knee pads are also suitable for players who like to go low and shoot with their knees on the ground. With the knee protector, you will take proper care of your bones and prevent major bruising.
Elbow pads are very useful and beneficial to keep your elbow protected. Should you fall back and land on your elbows, you want to have some cushion in order to protect any damage to your bones.
Barrel Plugs and Safety Catches: Barrel Plugs are highly important paintball protection gear. This object covers the end of the barrel which keeps it from being shot by accident. Regardless of how careful you are, barrel plugs can prevent some of the worst injuries because you never know it’s coming. When you are not on the field anymore, you can risk getting hurt if your gun is not protected with a plug.
A safety catch is also necessary for your gun as it prevents it from firing when it is not in use. Safety catches can be electronic or can be added on physically. For those who opt for electronic version, they are generally used in electronic markers. Physical safety catches are used to prevent anyone from pulling the trigger. This is something that can be very useful when everyone has stopped playing.
Chest Protectors: While many people prefer not to wear chest protectors, they are part of the list of correct safety equipment for paintball players. Chest protects are not usually worn because players feel restricted when trying to move. They are, however, very beneficial for preventing bad bruises. Another type of safety equipment is the neck protector which seems uncomfortable but is important for preventing neck injuries.
Gloves: Another piece of safety equipment is a pair of gloves. Gloves are made of protective materials in order to prevent you from getting blisters and bruises on your hands. Your hands are holding the gun which can be heavy, you want to make sure they are cushioned for protection. Many gloves come with gels for the knuckles in order to avoid injuries at impact.
Paintball Markers and Chronographs: The standard paintball marker velocity is 300FPS and about 91 meters per second. You do not want your market to go beyond this velocity in order to add safety when players are in close proximity to each others. A chronograph is used to measure the velocity and is important for those who do not play on commercial fields. You must measure the velocity as it can change depending on the temperature. With the right amount of velocity, you will be sure to play a safe game.
Aside from your hopper, tank and paintball gun, it is crucial to have the correct safety equipment when playing paintball. These include face masks, knee pads, elbow pads, barrel plugs and chest protectors. Aside from actual safety gear, there are other basic safety rules for paintball.
Players must never be under the influence of alcohol when playing because they can injure themselves and their fellow players. In addition, players must avoid blind firing although it is very common. You can potentially hurt someone who is not in the right gear, someone who is not playing or other items. If you cannot see your target, do not shoot your gun.
Do not shoot someone when they are asking to surrender and twenty feet away from you. The closer you are, the more dangerous and painful a shot can be. Once you have your mask on, do not take it off till the game is actually over. Above all, the most important skill to have during a game of paintball is common sense as it can prevent many problems and injuries from occurring.
