Let’s turn back the clock to the year 1981.  There were eleven people that got together and decided that it would be fun to play a war game, and make it as real as possible.

The problem was that you couldn’t use real guns, and pellet or bb guns left the question of being hit too arguable.  Then someone had the brilliant idea to shoot balls of paint at each other.  That way, there would be no question about who really got hit.

And so, the game of paintball was born.  Since its humble beginnings in the 80’s, it has now become the third most popular sport in the world as of 2005.  What was once played in an area the size of a basketball court can now fill several wooded acres.  A game that started with eleven people now has tournaments where people can show up in the thousands.

Not only has it grown in size and popularity, many aspects of it have increased in quality.  Safety has always been an issue in the game, and now there is a standardized list of safety gear and codes of conduct.  The markers have also evolved from being strange looking handgun styles to be modifiable between pistols, machine guns and sniper rifles.

No doubt, it would leave a welt if you were hit by a paintball bare skinned.  It follows that you would need protective gear during play, or else you could sustain more serious injuries.  

Special pants and jerseys are available, and using them comes highly recommended.  You will also need a helmet and a face mask with goggles.  Considering that the paintballs travel at about 300 feet per second, what do you think that would do to your eye if the paintball hit it?

Now that protective gear is covered, let’s talk about safety practices.  Most paid fields have their rules spelled out for you, but you may not always go to one of these places to play paintball.  Outside of this context, many people can get carried away with the thrill of combat.  Here are a few safety rules:

• Never shoot an opponent when he’s down.  When they’re hit, they’re done.  It’s that simple.
• Never shoot an opponent point blank.  Regardless of safety precautions, this can cause serious damage.

• Always make sure your gear is in good condition.  The slightest crack in your lens can be a major problem.  If your marker has seen better days, it’s time to replace it.

• Always assume a marker is loaded and air is in the chamber.
• Stay hydrated, and don’t drink alcohol when you play.
• Do not try to “tweak” your gear outside of normal guidelines.

This is just a very short list of the things you will need to keep in mind to keep from getting hurt, or from hurting someone else.  This is supposed to be fun, not hazardous.