Paintball is growing sport not only in North America, but also the world. In North America alone, it is not uncommon to see organizations sponsoring a paintball competition or event. The beauty of the game is that people can play it casually or take it seriously. It’s all up to the player.

Although paintball guns are designed to shoot only paintballs, it is no means free from all danger. When everyone follows the rules and wears basic protective gear, the fun aspect of the game is maintained. It is vital that players remember and maintain safety practices at all times, especially during the times of a heated battle, where people are more prone to get carried away. This could be from the paintball guns being used, to the equipment being worn. Ethics and good sportsmanship are also a must to keep the games clean and fun.

If a player is in the playing field, it is important that he or she has protective gear on at all times. A facemask is required to protect the head and face, and for body protection, pads on the knees, chest and elbows. Rubber sole shoes are the best option for feet, and rubber gloves on the hands is also preferable.

Make sure paintball guns fire within the bounds of maximum velocity, inspection before every match is the way to do it. Participants can be seriously injured if the balls travel more than 300 feet per second, be sure that every gun does not exceed that.

Accidents can happen in the staging area simply because participants were tinkering with their guns, and accidentally misfired. A simple barrel plug can prevent such accidents. It is advisable that barrel plugs should be inserted before and at the end of every match to keep the paintball marker from firing when the game is not being played.

During a battle, dirt, paint or sweat could obstruct the facemask vision. Players should not take off the mask without the referee being called. This is to make sure that no shooting can be done while the mask is being cleaned. After it is clean and mounted back on the player’s face, the battle can resume. On cases where a facemask is accidentally taken off, the same rules apply.

In the battle zone, the only valid activity that one competitor can do to another player is shooting paint to eliminate them. Even then, a competitor can opt to surrender for a situation where being eliminated is inevitable. If so, no shooting is necessary. This game is intended to be fun for all participants; this means that striking or aggressive body contact between players is not allowed. Cursing on the playing field is ill-advised, unless all players agree that cursing is allowable.

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Contrary to popular belief, the sport can be a lot of fun as well as safe if you use the correct paintball clothing and high quality paintball gear. Here are some valuable tips that will help you to enjoy yourself without causing any pain to yourself or others.

Basic paintball safety tips

The most effective and by far the simplest way to prevent injuries related to the sport is to ensure that you have appropriate paintball equipment to play with and the most suitable paintball clothing and safety gear on to protect yourself.

Eye safety: One of the primary concerns when playing paintball is the high likelihood of eye injuries which can be quite serious given the velocity of the projectile. Fortunately, these can be prevented by wearing high quality paintball goggles. However, most people try to make do with a pair of lab glasses or damaged goggles and in the process they set the stage for a painful injury and even vision loss in worst cases. There are several websites that offer quality paintball gear, so if you are an enthusiast, you should have no problems investing in a pair.

The right kind of footwear: Paintball does involve quite a bit of running around, jumping, dodging, falling and more, so you need to ensure that your foot and particularly your ankles are well protected through the ordeal. Once again the importance of using suitable paintball gear is highlighted here. Ideally, you should wear shoes that offer good support to the ankles and prevent sprains in the event of a slip or a fall.

Foot wear with poor grip will simply not do because most players are running around a very slippery field at full speed which can be a dangerous combination. A pair of quality trainers with good grip and non slip soles should do just fine. The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough as proper shoes can not only prevent you from hurtling yourself into another player but also reduce the chance of injuries caused due to bumping into trees and other objects around the field.

Suitable clothing: Proper paintball clothing is also crucial to ensure your safety or you may end up with nasty red welts which will turn an ugly blue in a day or two. As a matter of fact, it is normal to see most players using several pieces of paintball clothing that include gloves, neck protectors, forearm pads, knee pads and more. All of these pieces of paintball clothing worn together will play a huge role in preventing injuries.

It is also vital to ensure that you only play the game in reputable paintball centers with a good safety record and experienced staff on board, who are equipped to handle emergencies and enforce the rules of the game to make the event safe for everybody.

Safety tips for advanced players:

Now, that the basic safety tips have been covered and you are all set for an exciting round of paintball, here are some additional tips which will protect you further.

Always keep your mask on: It is imperative to never take off your mask when on the field. Even when you are out of the game and standing outside, you may get accidentally hit by a paintball which can lead to grievous injuries. One of the main reasons why people take off their masks is to clean them because they tend to fog up, this is certainly not recommended. The best way to clean your goggles is to get off the field and stand with your back towards it, then take off the mask to clean it.

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There are a growing number of MilSim paintball scenario games being produced each year. Paintball players that participate in these games want to be equipped with the right tactical support equipment on the field. Having solid tactical gear gives players an advantage that can mean the difference between being bathed in glory on the field of battle or wallowing in the stench of defeat. Two pieces of tactical support equipment paintball players shouldn’t be without are hydration packs and combat boots.

Dehydration is one of the most common reasons why players fall out on the field. Canteens and water bottles are not practical on the field since players have to remove their masks to take a drink. Hydration packs have a flexible straw that can be inserted under the mask to allow players to safely drink on the field. Players that stay hydrated on the field will perform better, get more trigger trim and are less likely to succumb to heat exhaustion.

Since most MilSim games are played in heavily wood areas, combat boots are another “must have” on the field. They protect feet against brambles, ankle twists and stubbed toes. They also provide superior traction for play in slippery, muddy areas. Some styles can even provide minimal protection against snake bites.

Though this list of needed tactical gear is far from inclusive, those just beginning to play MilSim scenario games should definitely invest in these two items. Beginning MilSim paintball players might also consider adding knee and elbow pads, ghillie suits or other styles of camouflage outwear and various types of lighting for night play into their tactical gear kits.

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So, you want to disappear in the woods? Well, you chose the perfect piece of paintball equipment to start with – the mask. The mask is the first thing most players see, as it is usually what pokes out first behind trees, bunkers, and bushes. Most players know a bright mask is without doubt the worst to use in the woods, as it easily spot, even with minimal exposure.

When it comes to camo paintball masks, you have a couple of options. A bunch of big name brands in paintball like Dye, JT, BT, and Empire have jumped on the bandwagon and offered up some camo versions of their most popular masks.

The different types of camo you can find on their masks are: digital, urban, snow, dessert, and woodland. Each type of camo comes in handy in different environments (as you would expect. As of now, digital is the most popular among the paintball community, not only because it has been proven to be more effective, but also because it looks cool.

Below is a breakdown of some of the brands that sell camouflaged masks.

Dye – The I4 is their top mask at this point. It has a “bird-of-prey” type look to it, which appeals to many players. It also has one of the most comfortable fits out there, and a very wide range of vision.

Proto – The Axis Pro, and Switch are two popular models with this pattern. These masks are known for their small profile, and ease of removing the lens for cleaning. Being able to remove the lens easily is a major plus when you take a major head shot.

JT - The mask in particular that comes with this pattern is the spectra, alpha, and flex. All of which are popular – the Flex being the most popular. One of their masks, the Flex-8 is available as a full helmet style mask.

Tippmann – One mask in particular, which is endorsed by the US Military, is available in ranger style camo. This is a very bland type of camouflage, but it does the trick, and the mask is cheap!

BT – The Avatar is a great mask made to perform. BT is a sister company to Tippmann, and is known for delivering quality gear to the paintball community – this mask is no different. It comes in many digital patterns, from woodland to urban.

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Of all the major pieces of paintball protective gear that you will need, probably the most important one is your face mask. When paintballs can be travelling up to 200 feet per second or more, getting hit in the head or face without protection is not one of the first things one would want to do. This article will discuss a bit about the paintball face mask.

The main job of the mask is obviously to protect your face. Most of the ones available today cover the entire face as well as the ears; however, there are some brave souls out there who only prefer to wear goggles protecting only their eyes.

Goggles none the less provide a false sense of security, as they are not made to block paintballs. A regulation paintball protection mask is made to measure up to DOT safety standards, being able to absorb direct shots to the face regardless of the distance fired.

When looking for a mask, remember that they are available in different materials, from rubber, plastic and foam. This difference in material can make a difference. It is also probably a better idea to buy one at the start rather than renting one. You will need to make sure that you try on several and choose the most comfortable one, making sure that you can see clearly through it, as your enjoyment of the game will be enhanced greatly. The mask lens is very important so don’t overlook this feature. Make sure that it is comfortable.

In most cases, paintball masks have either non-thermal or thermal lens or be anti-fog for fog resistance. The anti-fog lenses do not need an anti-fog agent applied to it in order for it to work properly and are a great choice.

One other thing to consider with a paintball mask is the type of foam used. Some are more comfortable than others. A “Vforce Armor” is a type of foam known as neoprene. It is a very good material to use, but the downside is that it might be a bit uncomfortable. Two other considerations are the “Vforce Shield” and the Vforce Profiler” which is a type of foam that you might think of as “memory foam” found in those expensive mattresses and pillows.

Finally, style of course can raise the price of your mask even though the materials are the same as a cheaper one. This is a consideration so choose wisely between a good balance of material and style.

So as you can see, there are some things to think about when choosing the right paintball protective gear, especially the paintball mask. Do not skimp on this very important piece of equipment.

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Paintball equipment is bound to get dirty after a long day of having fun which is why you should know a couple of things for properly making the gear as good as new. You will be needing a regular washing machine; lint-free, soft rags; microfiber cloth and a spray bottle.

First of all, the apparel; here we include pants, shirts, socks, headwear, gloves and pads. It is highly recommended to wash them separately from normal laundry because some of the paintballs along with their fills are very greasy and there is a good chance of transferring this grease to other clothes in the washing machine. Let’s not forget about other dirty substances like dirt. If you prefer wearing casual apparel that is suitable for a paintball activity, just read the instructions on the tags and you will be just fine. You can use stain removers without any worries. If you however prefer wearing paintball designed apparel which most likely does not have washing instructions, it is advisable to wash it all on cold, on a gentle cycle then line dry. Stain removers are unnecessary for obvious reasons.

Second of all, for other items like packs, barrel covers gear bags or covers shoes – you must wipe down with a damp cloth. Packs and tank covers can get the dirtiest of these items. If you want to, wash on cold, gentle cycle then line dry. If you want to avoid all this work, just hose all the gear outside.

Third of all, masks and goggles: the mask should be wiped using a damp cloth. The lens should be treated gentler by using a softer cloth in order to wipe away any remaining paint. After that, use a microfiber cloth to polish it nicely. For end of the day cleaning, disassemble the mask and wipe the parts down individually. The mask strap can be machine-washed (cold, gentle cycle, line dry).

Last but not least, markers, hoppers, tanks and other similar paintball equipment. The paintball hardware is very easy to clean – wipe it down with rags. For those of you looking for a shiny and smudge free aspect, use a microfiber cloth and run it over the gear after cleaning it. There are many cases in which dirt and paint will get in the crevices of these items. For such situations, you need thorough cleaning that might require disassembly. If this is your case, check the manual on how to correctly do that. Do not forget to re-lube any o-rings you come across during cleaning procedures.

The most important aspect when it comes down to washing soft goods is a cold, gentle cycle and line dry. For those of you that do not seem to find a manual, look it over the Internet at the manufacturer’s website. Microfiber cloths are not as expensive as many of you might have thought, they are around 2$ or so. If you had the money for the paintball gun, you definitely can afford spending a few extra bucks to maintain it in perfect shape.

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Mr X, 24, is living with the results of being shot in the face with a paintball. Mr X said, “I felt as if my eyeball exploded” when Mr Z fired the paintball into his face. The impact of the hit forced Mr. X to the ground.

Mr Z admits he fired the gun that left a profound impact on Mr. X that he will carry with him for the rest of his life. Mr Z thought the gun was empty.

The two were cleaning and doing safety checks on guns at Ape Paintball in Ratho, Scotland when the incident happened. It seems that Mr Z picked up a marker after being shot by Mr. X. Mr Z being in the mood for a bit of retaliation fired back at Mr X. What Mr Z did not know was the marker was not empty. The barrel system was never checked for ammunition.

After spending a week in the hospital and having surgery to save his vision, Mr. X will have life-long vision problems.

Mr. Z is a university business student. Because of this accident, Mr Z will pay life-long consequences. Knowing that he, Mr. Z, permanently damaged Mr. X’s eye is a heavy price to pay for an instant of not using Paintball safety rules.

Had the pair practice Paintball safety rules this accident would not have had to happen. Gun shoot projectiles over 200 miles an hour and they are capable of firing over a dozen balls in a second. Yes, they leave marks and bruises on the skin but they are not dangerous as long as you practice the safety rules.

The simple way to practice safety and not to have accidents is to wear the proper protection. Paintball masks will protect your eyes, nose, ears and mouth from the sting of the paintball. As long as this gear is worn a player will be protected from any harm from the ammunition.

Ok, sooner or later a player will remove tier mask. What happens then? How do we have protection when the mask is off. Proper paintball safety requires players to use barrel plugs or barrel socks. Simply after the game is over add the barrel protection to the barrel BEFORE THE MASKS come off. This simple rule is the answer to all eye accidents. If all players practice this safety rule and not fool around with their rifles and guns in the staging area, severe paintball injuries would be avoided.

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Paintball is one of the extreme sports. Once someone starts playing him or she may not like to stop at all. Players require money to play safe game. It is possible to play safe paintball game and get fun only when he or she has enough money in possession. A part of the money will be utilized for quality paintball gear including the paintball markers.

Deciding the Paintball Type

Ordinarily there are two types of paintball games. One of them is “woodsball” and the other one is “speedball”. However, there are multiple sub categories for these two main categories. While the former is played in woods the later is played in the inflatable bunkers. At the same time it is necessary to carry the proper paintball gear ensuring safe play. In fact it is safety that counts in the game of paintball.

Priority of Purchase

One of the first purchases would be the paintball mask. It should be well fitted for the user and should offer accurate amount of coverage for them. Using thermal lens masks helps because masks often become fogged. Ordinarily there are two types of paintball games. One of them is woodsball and the other one is speedball. However, there are multiple sub categories for these two main categories. While the former is played in woods the later is played in the inflatable bunkers. At the same time it is necessary to carry the proper paintball markers ensuring safe play. In fact it is safety that counts in the game of paintball.

Well Fitted Gear

Naturally the first purchase would be the paintball mask. It should be well fitted for the user and should offer accurate amount of coverage for them. Using thermal lens masks helps because masks often become fogged. Masks are great protection against caliber paintballs that could be dangerous to open eyes and faces.

Protective Measures

At times while playing with equipments like the caliber paintballs it would be good wearing protective clothing to prevent injuries and irritating feelings. Moreover the protection is not only from the paintballs but also from sweat and other irritating components. But the most important protective measure would be to chronograph the market to the acceptable levels of below 300 FPS. While bruising might still result, it will reduce the chances of larger harms to the body due to impact.

Last but not the least; do not forget the barrel cover, a great protective device.

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No game can be played to full satisfaction of all concerned without quality accessories and gears. That is exactly why quality paintball marker and paintball gear are essential for good paintball game. Some of the equipments are primary and are indispensable for the paintball game, where as there are others those are not as important but have their respective roles to play in the game.

Paintball Marker – the Primary Equipment

Most important equipment for the game of paintball is the paintball marker. No game can be conceived without it since it is the instrument using which paint is fired on the target. With an attached loader or hopper used to feed the gun with ammunition, they come in two types. In the gravity fed model in which balls automatically drop in the loading chamber. On the other hand is the electronically forced-fed model. As propellant the paintball guns use compressed air bottle or carbon dioxide.

Paintballs

Primary equipment for the game is the paintball that is used ammunition in the game. High caliber paintballs are normally used in the competitions and tournaments where the stakes are higher. Brittleness of the shells determines the quality of the paintball. Usually the caliber ones are perfectly spherical. Composition of the ball includes thin shells with thick fill inside that is brightly colored. Cell will usually break on impact and the fill is difficult hiding or wiping during the game.

Mask and Goggles – Paintball Gear

Masks as well as the goggles constitute very effective paintball gear. Both are safety devices an especially take care of the protection of eyes and surrounding areas of mouth, nose, and ears. Some of the masks have throat guards saddled. Current trend in the market is having thinner masks and goggles.

Opting for Cheap Paintball Marker

When it comes to buying the paintball guns also known as paintball marker, quality will always count. In such cases one has to think twice before buying a cheap version of the gun. Basically paintball gun is an air gun that is used for mostly outdoor paintball games. A whole range of guns are available in the market and they include automatic, semi-automatic, stock guns and pistols. However, the buyer must be careful about the quality and durability of the gun besides its affordability.

After all; one cannot sacrifice quality for affordability in highly competitive gaming world.

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