afrotc-l: PaintBall Safety Info

What to Expect

Most people that have not played Paintball before have no idea what to expect. The most common questions is "does it hurt when you get hit?" If you get hit by a paintball fired from close range (20 feet or less) it does sting a bit. Most people tell you that after the first time you've been hit, it rarely is an issue.

Once you're on the field, watch what the "regulars" are doing, where they are going, and how they play the game. More often than not, the regular players at the field are more than friendly and are willing to help new players. The same goes for field owners and managers. Start out slow and don't expect too much in the first game or two. Once you are comfortable (and have been shot a few times) the game will probably come naturally.

Playing Tips

Don't stand in the open for too long.

It is wise to re-load your paintballs or just catch your breath from behind a tree or bunker. You'll be shocked at how many times you can be eliminated from a long way off.

Safety

Never remove your goggles on the field or in the elimination zone. Newer players tend to want to remove their goggles as soon as they're eliminated from the game or just to clear the goggles. This is extremely dangerous for reasons covered in the safety section.

When you are eliminated--or if you are eliminated(!)--call "out" as loud as possible, raise your hand and walk off the field. Do not remove your goggles until you are back at the safe zone or in the staging area.

Don't argue with the referees or judges. If a referee calls you out, simply leave the playing field. The refs are there to help you have fun and to keep it safe. Listen to them at all time.

If you are working on your paintgun, always wear paintball approved goggles even if the air is disconnected.

Never play with anyone that is not wearing the proper goggles.

Always use a barrel plug when you are not playing.

Paintgun Safety

There are a few basic rules to paintgun safety. First and foremost, never fire your paintgun when there are people anywhere near you (this include yourself) not wearing the proper paintball approved goggles. When you are in the designated safe zone, or anywhere that is not the playing fields, make sure to have your barrel plug in your barrel as well.

An important thing to note here is that many paintguns will fire a paintball even after the C02 or high pressure system is removed from the gun. It is extremely important to always wear paintball goggles when you work on your paintgun, even if the air source is removed. Whenever possible, keep your paintgun uncocked--note: some paintguns such as the Automag, are cocked whenever air is connected.

It is critical to chronograph your paintgun several times each day during play. Velocities have a tendency to fluctuate during the day.

Lastly, always keep the safety in the "safe" position and if your gun has a power feed, keep it in the "off" mode when not playing the game.

Goggles--The Most Important Piece Of Gear You Will Own

With hundreds of paintballs traveling 200 miles per hour across the field, there is only one thing that will protect you eyes from severe injury--your goggles system. The statistics bear it out, more than 99% of all serious paintball injuries occur when players use the wrong type of goggles, or no goggles at all. Here' the most important thing you need to know. Never wear anything but goggle/mask systems made specifically for paintball.

Never wear shop goggles, ski goggles, military goggles, motocross goggles, or any other goggles that are not designed for paintball. They simply will not have the impact resistance or total eye coverage necessary to stop 13 balls per second coming at you.

Just a few statistics to show you that you will be participating in a safe sport:

NEISS - The National Injury Information Clearinghouse of
the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington D. C.
has provided injury estimates through use of the National Electronic Injury
Surveillance System.

In the number of estimated injuries per 1,000 participants,
paintball had the LEAST NUMBER OF INJURIES of all the listed sports.
The number of injuries for paintball is less by far than bowling, tennis, archery,
basketball, and many other sports.

The government report warns: "CAUTION. NEISS data and estimates
are based on injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms that patients say are
related to products. Therefore it is incorrect, when using NEISS data, to say the
injuries were caused by the product." That means that the paintball total injuries include all types of injuries, and would include sprained ankles, cuts, heat exhaustion, etc., on and off the playing field, at organized play sites or otherwise,
as well as any eye injuries. The estimated figures are calculated using data from
a sample of hospitals in the U. S. and its territories. (APG JAN. 2001)

Sports Injuries Report

SPORT	Yearly injuries per 1000 Participants
Water Skiing	260.84
Lacrosse	223.79
Wrestling	36.46
Rugby	31.21
Football	30.17
Baseball	28.42
Hockey	21.92
Basketball	19.76
Soccer	12.59
Boxing	11.34
Bicycle Riding	11.71
Gymnastics	10.49
Volleyball	4.03
Ice Skating	3.83
Snowmobiling	3.52
Snow Skiing	2.99
Racquetball	2.77
Tennis	2.77
Handball	1.92
Fishing	1.43
Swimming	1.34
Golf	1.22
Archery	0.85
Boating	0.75
Bowling	0.47
Paintball	0.24
Other injuries
LOCATION	Yearly injuries per 1000 Persons
Home	93
Work Place	66
Moving Vehicles	22
Street	19