Keep that finger of the trigger! The airsoft health and safety rules.

How to

There is absolutely no doubt that the safety is the most important aspect of the airsoft games. The older players probably know the simplest rules very well (but it’s never too much) and do all that they can to make everyone else to obey them. However, new players may not know all the elements of the airsoft health and safety rules or just not abide the rules. The most popular excuse is “chill out, it’s not a firearm”, and this is the biggest misunderstanding – an airsoft gun that is used improperly can be still dangerous to our health or even life in the most extreme situations.

The airsoft gun trigger

Our replica is really similar to the firearm and should be threatened in the same way – don’t point the barrel at anything you wouldn’t want to hit. If you’re not having a “firefight” – set the fire selector on safe and keep finger away from the trigger. If you’re doing a patrol or sneaking behind the enemy lines – set the fire selector on safe and keep finger away from the trigger. Why? Because if you have your finger on the trigger, you can get an unfortunate muscle contraction and accidentally press the trigger. Similar consequences could appear if something would scare you, like the moment of falling down. This rule is essential for the games in the woodland areas, where it is possible to accidentally shoot an animal or someone who is just walking around and looking for mushrooms. The selector on SAFE will give you a few more milliseconds before you could make a big mistake that you would regret for a long time. Shooting a stranger with no eye protection can do a real harm. If you spot someone that is not taking a part in the game, scream immediately “CIVILIAN” and make the analogical announcement on the radio station. You can also inform the person about the game and rescue him to the safe zone.

However, the airsoft is not only about the guns. There is a plenty of safety accessories and, not to mention also the terrain that we are playing on. More aspects of the safety that you need to concern are below.

Airsoft - the eye protection

Eyes doesn’t grow back. Because of that, you shouldn’t be a penny pincher while making a purchase of the eye protection – especially during the times of “500 fps stock replicas” and trigger happy people that doesn’t consider shooting someone point blank in the face as something unnaceptable. Forget about the mesh goggles – the plastic bb’s are fragmenting on the impact, which can lead to really painful and destructive experience to your eyes. Our target is the product that fulfills least the ANSI Z87 certificate requirements. Almost all military grade goggles and glasses have it. The most popular and affordable brands are the ESS, Bolle, Wiley X or the Revision.

What about the rest of the body?

In spite of appearances – the hands and knees are vulnerable to the harsh outdoor conditions, even in the outwardly safe forest area – just try crouching on the cone or fall directly on the sharp rock with your open hand. The danger is rises in the CQB fields where a lot of shattered glass lying on the ground.

Not every building is suitable for airsoft gaming

I understand that some ruins look like in battlefield series scenario, but the sign that says “DANGEROUS AREA” didn’t come from nowhere. If there is a possibility to play in some old buildings, you should mark all the dangerous holes, windows etc. with bright tape or the light sticks. Jumping trough the broken windows is also a bad idea.

However, like the Forrest Gump said… it happens (you know what).

Why every player should carry a first aid kit

By all means I’m not talking about the professional medic equipment like the tourniquet, adrenaline and other pieces of the PJ loadout. Some bandages, a sanitizer and rag for the broken limbs should be enough for an airsoft game first aid needs. If you want to carry some medicaments – keep them in the original packaging and don’t pass them to anyone if you’re not a trained paramedic – you’ll never know what is somebody allergic to or how will one react with the pills.

That’s all about the basics of the airsoft health and safety rules. If you obey these simple rules, you’ll probably have fun every weekend without any special worries. And that’s all that I wish you all ?