Friday, December 19, 2008

The Importance of Safety in Airsoft

By Alexander Malroy

Airsoft guns are safe with caution. Its spherical non-metallic pellets discharged from a compressed air gun that is manual spring-loaded, gas powered or electronically powered. However, safety measures for such exercise are imperative just like any responsibility that is involved between two opposing teams or individuals.

Among the basic rules for using an air gun are using protective gear to protect the eye and to keep the finger off the trigger when not ready to fire. Users are also advised never to keep the gun pointed at the non players or at animals. Also, substandard air soft AEG should never be used.

Proper clothing attire is important for the safety of the players. A close range shot of 5 feet in a velocity of 300 feet can bruise or break a skin that may result to minor wound and bleeding. Wearing a plain shirt or any thin clothing could not prevent any bruise. Pellets from airsoft guns could cause damage to the eye if not blindness if fired at a close range, that's why eye protection or goggles are compulsory among the players.

Airsoft games are best played outdoors, and since it's a military simulation, natural surroundings are the best venue for this exercise. However, there are factors that are beyond the control of every organizer of this game such as animals that often interfere during the game that may pose an impending danger to every player.

Airsoft players may also suffer injuries from their location-terrains, forest, woodlands or jungles. These areas feature slippery surfaces, heights, trips, steep slopes, snags, falls or sharpened objects that may cause injuries among the players in the height of the game.

There may also be other dangers such as poisonous elements found in plants. Injuries such as broken bones, sprains, cuts or other types of wounds from the game may also happen along with the concern for using protective measures is necessary and using protective gear such as neck and head guards and other protective body armor is necessary. Airsoft gaming standards do not only protect the players, bystanders and non-players. It should also be protected as well in the height of the game.

Those who are observers are required always to keep their facemask on especially during the game. All official rules and regulations are enforced by the referee during the game to make sure that no injuries happen during the game while in play. Some groups have adopted the policy of immediately ceasing a game when someone finds out that a player in the game is not wearing their safety gear and is within the playing area or firing range. This increased regard for safety makes the game elevated to a more professional standard.

Some groups have adopted the policy of immediately stopping the game when someone finds out that there is somebody in the game who is not protected and is within the playing area. This heightened regard for safety makes the game elevated in a professional standard. Players who encounter unprotected individual must shout and signal to the other players "cease-fire, blind-man" or "non-combatant" to warn others of the situation. Such case would prevent the impending damage it may cause to the unprotected player. - 16928

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