So, your son, daughter, or husband is begging for your okay to buy the latest
paintball equipment. It's surprising, but after only one or two trips to the
paintball field, folks just get hooked! While you'd like to share their
enthusiasm for the sport and give your much needed "go ahead," you are
concerned with your loved ones shooting paintballs at other players and being
shot at. Don't feel like you're alone. These are common and serious concerns
that deserve a thoughtful response. The following paragraphs will hopefully
explain why our sport is the fastest growing sport in the world and that it
doesn't have anything to do with people hurting one another. Paintball has had
an astounding safety record. Medical and insurance statistics show that
paintball is safer than bowling! This is a strong testimony to the game and they
players who play it. Paintball is a safe sport as long as rules are followed.
Insurance statistics also show that paintball is much safer than golf, jogging,
downhill skiing, snow boarding, tennis, swimming and many other more common
sports. Safety is highly stressed at most fields. The majority of fields require
goggles be worn at all times unless in designated areas. In addition to this
fields also require that barrel plugs (plastic inserts that prevent projectiles
from leaving your gun's barrel) be used while players are in certain areas.
Ignoring safety is a good way to get yourself ejected from a field. Men and
women of all ages and life-styles play paintball in over 30 countries. From
schoolteachers or high school students, professionals or technicians, all
paintball players share a love for adventure and a strong competitive team
spirit. Paintball is similar to the childhood games of "tag" and
"hide and seek", but much more challenging and sophisticated. There
are various game formats. Usually, a group of players will divide into two teams
to play "capture the flag". The number of players on a team varies
from four or five players, to as many as 100 players on each side, limited only
by the size of the playing field. The object of the game is to capture the other
team's flag while defending your own flag station. Players compete to eliminate
opposing players by tagging them with a paintball expelled from an airgun. Games
usually have a time limit of 20 to 45 minutes. Between 10 - 15 games are played
during one day. Between games, players may check their equipment, reload
paintballs or have a snack and share stories about the thrills of victory and
the usually funny agonies of defeat. Win or lose, everyone has a great time! A
paintball is a round, dime-sized gelatin capsule with colored liquid inside.
Paintballs are similar to large round vitamin capsules or bath oil beads. The
liquid is non-toxic, non-caustic, water-soluble, and biodegradable. It rinses
out of clothing and off skin with mild soap and water. Paintballs come in a
rainbow of colors. When a paintball tags a player, the gelatin ball opens and
the liquid leaves a "paint" mark. A player who is marked is eliminated
from the game. Paintball guns come in a variety of styles. Some are small stock
pistols, powered by small 12-gram CO2 cartridges that need to be changed after
15 to 25 shots. Other paintball guns are rifle-like, with shoulder stocks and
longer barrels. These are powered by larger, refillable CO2 cylinders that
supply hundreds of shots. Some paintball guns are pump-actions. Each time you
shoot, you must first cock the paintball gun by using a pump. Other paintball
guns are semi-automatic, which re-cock automatically. Just squeeze the trigger!
Paintballs won't hit hard enough to cause an injury as long as proper safety
procedures are followed. Protective covering with multiple layers of clothing is
recommended. To protect their eyes, all players must always wear
approved-for-paintball goggles in every area where shooting is allowed, even at
the target range. Barrel plugs are required anywhere off the playing field.
Professional referees on the playing field control the games, enforce the rules
of fair play, and monitor safety rules. Most paintball fields have a staff of
trained referees that allows them to conduct several games simultaneously.
Paintball is a sport where women and men compete equally and where age is not
dominated by youth. Size and strength are not as important as intelligence and
determination. Being able to think quickly and decisively are what makes a great
player. Paintball is a character-building sport where every decision and every
move counts. Players learn the importance of teamwork and strategy and can gain
self-esteem while developing quick-thinking leadership abilities. Paintball is
an exciting way to shake off day-to-day responsibilities and take a chance on a
new adventure. When the game begins, the adrenaline starts pumping, and all
players, from the meek and mild, to the bold and brave, strive for the
irresistible thrill of victory.

BibliographySparks, Jessica. "The Sport of Paintball: Dangerous or Safe?"
Action Pursuit Games (July 1999). 23-27 Sparks, Jessica. "Paintball Guns
and Paintballs." Action Pursuit Games (September 1998). 11-13