Paintball Safety

Paintball is a fun and exciting sport, but can be very dangerous if you do not follow some simple but important rules!

Ensure you have a proper paintball mask and that is stays on at all times on the field. Use only approved masks for paintball that covers you eyes and ears! Inspect your mask regularly; replace your lenses if cracked. Never use a mask that is cracked or damaged. THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFTEY!!! It does not matter if you are playing on an organized field or elsewhere, KEEP YOUR MASK ON AT ALL TIMES ON THE FIELD!!!

A paintball gun (marker) is for on-field use only! NEVER USE A PAINTBALL GUN FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE!!!

Utilize safety on markers whenever not in active field of play.

When off of the field, ensure you use a proper barrel blocking device! Most fields or event require the use of a barrel bag not a barrel plug. THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE NOT JUST THE PLAYERS!!!

Chrono your marker! Fields and events set a cap on how fast a paintball can leave you marker. Usually this is 300 fps (feet per second) but can be lower. DO NOT GO OVER 300 FPS as this will cause injuries! THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE PLAYING. It does not matter if you are playing on an organized field or elsewhere, CHRONO YOUR MARKER AND STAY BELOW 300 FPS!!!

Inspect your gear! This includes your marker, CO2 or HPA tanks, mask, etc... Replace damaged gear! THIS IS FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE NOT JUST THE PLAYERS!!!

Have your gear repaired by qualified professionals!

Never look down the barrel of a marker.

Do not ever shoot at anyone not wearing an approved mask or anyone whose safety gear is not in place.

Never blind shoot your marker (shooting without placing the marker on your shoulder and sighting down the barrel)

Most fields and events have a 10 foot surrender rule. This means that if you find yourself within ten feat of another player you must give them the opportunity to surrender. If the player chooses to try and shoot you, you can then shoot them! Some feilds and events allow for barrel tagging if you are close to another player. This is done by simple touching another player with the barrel of you marker and stating "barrel tag, your dead". By no means does this imply or infer the use of your marker as a club, do not hit another player!

Keep yourself hydrated while playing; drink lots of water, even if you're not really thirsty.

Paintball is a very physically demanding game. Take precautions to avoid injuries that can be avoided by simply stretching before a game.

Never assume that a marker is empty.

In addition to the mandatory safety gear such as an approved mask that covers you eyes and ears, there is other protective gear you should look at! For guys it is highly suggested that you wear a cup or other means of protection. There are paintball pants that have built in padding for this purpose. Girls should consider a chest protector or multiple layers to protect you!

Common Paintball Injuries

Eye Injuries
Despite the strict safety rules regarding masks, the most common injury in paintball is to the eyes. Most eye injuries happen during "back yard" games where proper paintball masks are not used. ALWAYS WEAR AN APPROVED PAINTBALL MASK WHENEVER YOU PLAY! NEVER SHOOT AT ANYONE NOT WEARING PROPER SAFETY GEAR! An eye injury can be completely avoided with the use of proper safety equipment!

Bruises and Welts
Unfortunately bruises and welts come with the game. Some occur when hit by a paintball and others occur from the field environment. Bruises and welts can be minimized by wearing layers, baggy fitting clothes or heavier clothes like sweat shirts. A lot of players look at bruises and welts as a matter of pride in the game.

Sprains and Broken Bones
Sprains and broken bones are rare but happen. It is not an injury that is as common in paintball as other sports but they do happen during play. Usually it is ankles that are injured and your chances of having an injury like this can be reduced by wearing proper foot wear with ankle support.