Paintball Safety - More Than Just Gear and Barrel Stops

The building is abandoned, no one is using it, and it isremoved from the appliances, abandoned vehicles can
just standing there. Maybe permission to use thebe cleaned out of anything harmful, e.g. the latch can
building has even been given by the owners. Does thatbe removed from the trunk in case someone would
mean that there is no dangers involved? No, it suredecide to hide in there, and the glass could be
does not. Knowing why the building is abandoned, andremoved from the windows. Holes in the ground,
how old it is would be a good thing. Are the walls of(tanks, mines, wells and pits) can be boarded over
this building full of asbestos, and the paint full of lead?securely and safely. Another option would be to mark
These things would be good to know. Actor Stevethem securely and make them a penalty area,
McQueen worked one summer loading bags ofsubtracting points from the team that encroaches on
asbestos onto trucks. Years later he died of cancerthese areas.
caused by asbestos poisoning. One particle ofIn the wild, rock quarries and woods need to be
asbestos can be the beginning of the end. One gamecarefully examined for dangers as well. Many times
of paintball in an abandoned building could be as deadlywild areas have once been dump sites for things that
as shooting with real bullets. Lead filled paint takescould be harmful. If wood has been dumped there, are
more contact than one particle, but still can bethere nails in the wood. Even if the lumber has
dangerous. You never know how stumbling against adecomposed, are there nails there that need to be
door jamb or window sill might transfer lead to anraked up? Old three-tab shingles would be slippery and
open cut or scratch. Not what anyone had planned, butcould cause a broken leg or arm. Old tires can be
just as deadly in the long run.bothersome if partly covered up and could have sharp
Open fields and woods have their own type ofbranches or broken glass inside. Loose rocks are a
hazards. When obtaining permission to use privatevery viable danger at a rock quarry. A baseball-sized
property always ask if there are any old wells, silagerock falling off of a ledge would be a very fast moving
pits, or any other hazards that you should be awareprojectile that could do some damage below. The
of. Knowing ahead of time can avoid abrupt endings tofarther it falls, the faster it begins to travel. If the
your fun and games. Once your competition hascontestants were playing on different levels, care
begun, you will be concentrating on the location of yourwould need to be given to not accidentally knock
competitors and not specifically paying attention to therocks down on the other contestants.
ground and area around. My suggestion would be toThe ultimate goal is to enjoy a rousing game of
scout out the property to be used; walk it in a gridpaintball. Shooting each other and being shot at until
pattern and mark any potential hazards with conessomeone wins the contest. Safety of the players will
and markings. Just this little bit of preparation could beenhance that game whether it be in a controlled
the difference between a game and a lethal accident.environment like a course designed just for paintballers
Underground tanks, abandoned mines, wells and silageor whether it be the wild. A little extra care and
pits, appliances without the doors removed andconsideration of the site to be used will guarantee
abandoned cars are great obstacles for paintballmany hours off fun for all. Safety means that all
competition, but can be dangerous if they are notplayers will survive to play again, and isn't that the
properly identified and prepared for. Doors can begoal?