paintball safety,lol! (yeah, I get the irony)

[shortbun]

My son's best friend is having a paintball party at a paintball range/business.

What questions do I need to ask and have satisfied before I allow him to go and play. In the past, I've know people to get permanent injuries from paintball battles and I've avoided letting him play. He's older and understands following rules(although some of his friends are crazy sometimes) so I'm going to give this serious consideration and hope I can say yes.

Fill me in.

 

[krcit]

Make sure goggles are worn the entire time they are on the course.

 

[shortbun]

Make sure goggles are worn the entire time they are on the course.

My son assures me this place has full face masks so that one is a check.

 

[LisaR]

If he is going to a facility where you pay to use their course, I assure you THEY will make sure he follows their rules. They will not allow him anywhere near the course unless his full face mask is on. Once he is hit, he will be instructed to put his cover on the gun, raise it up in the air, and walk off the course. These places have incredibly high insurance rates and we have never been to one that takes kindly to people breaking their rules.

They do make paintball pants/shirts but I wouldn't buy those if this is only a one time thing. A sweatshirt and jeans would be fine. My son has played in shorts and long sleeves. Yes, he has been hit on the bare leg and it hurts but he has been known to play when it is 100 degrees out and he will take the pain over the heat.

 

[shortbun]

If he is going to a facility where you pay to use their course, I assure you THEY will make sure he follows their rules. They will not allow him anywhere near the course unless his full face mask is on. Once he is hit, he will be instructed to put his cover on the gun, raise it up in the air, and walk off the course. These places have incredibly high insurance rates and we have never been to one that takes kindly to people breaking their rules.

They do make paintball pants/shirts but I wouldn't buy those if this is only a one time thing. A sweatshirt and jeans would be fine. My son has played in shorts and long sleeves. Yes, he has been hit on the bare leg and it hurts but he has been known to play when it is 100 degrees out and he will take the pain over the heat.

ok, what about neck protection? The site I read suggested it. I'm thinking he's going only if every inch of his body is covered except his hands. Bandana under a hat with a mask, neck scarf, sweatshirt, jeans, long socks and leather shoes.

Does the paint come out of whatever you are wearing? Should I get him a throaway painter coverall?

I know, I'm nuts. oh well somebody roll me up a fat one

 

[LisaR]

ok, what about neck protection? The site I read suggested it. I'm thinking he's going only if every inch of his body is covered except his hands. Bandana under a hat with a mask, neck scarf, sweatshirt, jeans, long socks and leather shoes.

Does the paint come out of whatever you are wearing? Should I get him a throaway painter coverall?

I know, I'm nuts. oh well somebody roll me up a fat one

My son and his friends never wear neck protection. They leave with long pants and sweatshirts in the cooler weather and shorts and a sweatshirt in the heat.

My son only plays with his friends as a group at this arena we have. They are all relatively tame boys. If he was joining a group of strangers that were different ages, I might be more inclined to worry about his wardrobe.

The paint comes right off in the washing machine. I have never had it stain. I get it all over the bottom of my shoes when I am there because you can't help sitting there popping all the little paint balls that are on the ground! My shoes are completely clean just walking to the car when they are done. I should note that the place we use only allows their own paint. I have heard that you can buy some paints that stain but that isn't an issue where we go.

My son has a blast at our local place. They have battles that the staff arranges and the kids really get into it. They have a bridge set up and one group goes on the bridge and defends it against the other group and then they switch off. They do the same thing with a castle. It is a really neat place.

 

[FINFAN]

My DS plays a lot...full facemask, neckguard (usually, but not always), gloves, chest protector, solid boots, If chilly enough DS wears a hoodie then puts the mask on...another biggie is that the mask is anti fog , otherwise the kids want to take them off. Yeah, it stings to get hit, but if the vital parts are covered ( eyes, fingers etc.) it is a blast. My kid joins the public games, plays at CPX, so a ton of different terrain and scenarios.

http://www.cpxsports.com/
My biggest tip is to send a beach towel and tons of drinks...the towel because they will be sweating like crazy, and need to clean their guns/masks off, liquids, well, they will drink a ton. Also, we take a change of clothes along and shoes...and a big garbage bag. Once they are fone playing off go the paintball clothes/boots and into the garbage bag to keep the car from getting trashed..on go the clean clothes for the fast food place they will probably want to hit. I wouldn't worry about the coverall, we get the paint out all the time too. The shoe scan be a mess tho!

 

[mamacatnv]

My DS plays for the Univ. team, he loves paintball and it was his dream to attend a Univ. with a PB team. His Univ. didn't have one so he and some other fans started one, they are now officially sanctioned and get funding help from the Univ.

DS has been playing since he was probably 10 - anywhere you go that is a professional indoor/outdoor facility expressly for PB play is going to require all the proper equipment which is mainly the mask/goggles head gear & gloves. They will also most likely sit the group down, go over the playing rules and then they usually have referees on the "field" during play.

Old clothes and shoes are the norm - DS likes pants that are elastic at the ankles as well as the waist (keeps dirt etc out when he is playing outside and crawling around in the dirt). Paint does wash out but its kind of oily so I always separate the gear and wash it by itself.

DS used to come home with some decent bruises but those were like a "badge of honor" to him he also wears a couple of layers and always long sleeves, again with snug cuffs.

I've never seen any real injuries and DS has played indoors, outdoors and just out in the boonies with friends where there are no ref's just self imposed rules.

 

[Ceila]

Cover his hands! My son played for the first time a month or two ago, and I just bought him BMX gloves.

It was much cooler out than now, so he wore jeans with sweatpants over them, two sweatshirts, the gloves, and of course the mask. The refs were very good about making sure everyone played with their masks on.

He only came out with two bruises, so he considered it a good time, lol!

 

[dejr_8]

We do paintball with our kids.

Neck Protectors are ~ $5 at Dick's.

Gloves are good idea. (I shot my 9 yr old in the finger once and it hurt bad)

layers of light clothing are better than one thick layer especially if the outer layer is loose.

He will get bruised if he gets hit and may have a welt as well. They can look quite nasty.

 

[tasha99]

ok, what about neck protection? The site I read suggested it. I'm thinking he's going only if every inch of his body is covered except his hands. Bandana under a hat with a mask, neck scarf, sweatshirt, jeans, long socks and leather shoes.

Does the paint come out of whatever you are wearing? Should I get him a throaway painter coverall?

I know, I'm nuts. oh well somebody roll me up a fat one

Yes, I would have them use neck protection of some kind. My son went to a paintball party a couple of years ago, and got shot in the adam's apple. His mask supposedly covered his neck, but he looked up and it was exposed. It was a pretty big deal--he couldn't breath at first, and then was in a lot of pain for quite a while. I was really glad I stayed. I'd planned to work, but after signing all the release forms, I thought it best to stay. I'd let him do it again, but after that, he's lost his interest in paintball.

 

[FINFAN]

My DS plays for the Univ. team, he loves paintball and it was his dream to attend a Univ. with a PB team. His Univ. didn't have one so he and some other fans started one, they are now officially sanctioned and get funding help from the Univ.

DS has been playing since he was probably 10 - anywhere you go that is a professional indoor/outdoor facility expressly for PB play is going to require all the proper equipment which is mainly the mask/goggles head gear & gloves. They will also most likely sit the group down, go over the playing rules and then they usually have referees on the "field" during play.

Old clothes and shoes are the norm - DS likes pants that are elastic at the ankles as well as the waist (keeps dirt etc out when he is playing outside and crawling around in the dirt). Paint does wash out but its kind of oily so I always separate the gear and wash it by itself.

DS used to come home with some decent bruises but those were like a "badge of honor" to him he also wears a couple of layers and always long sleeves, again with snug cuffs.

I've never seen any real injuries and DS has played indoors, outdoors and just out in the boonies with friends where there are no ref's just self imposed rules.

I think our sons were seperated at birth! My DS is a Junior in HS and wears he will only attend a college with PB! also the *welt BADGE OF HONOR*, I guess it's a guy thing

 

[johde]

40 year old overweight (definitely not the athletic type) that plays the occasional paintball game. I volunteer for a week as a counselor at our local church camp during paintball camp. The most important rule has already been hit. ALWAYS wear your face mask while in the field of play. Expect him to come home with bruises. The paint will wash out, but I still wouldn't wear anything nice. The camp pastor has a bit of a scar from a neck shot but that's the only scar I've seen from play. I normally play in sweat pants and a light long sleeve shirt. But the camp is in July, so I've been know to wear short sleeve shirt at times. I one piece of safety equipment that you might want for your son, that I admit I don't wear, is a cup.

And yes, the guys compare "battle wounds" afterward.

 

[mamacatnv]

I think our sons were seperated at birth! My DS is a Junior in HS and wears he will only attend a college with PB! also the *welt BADGE OF HONOR*, I guess it's a guy thing

Univ. NV Reno now has a sanctioned club team They travel to California to play other teams, DS is loving it!

 

[136368]

Full face mask with plastic visor (NOT wire mesh) and a boiler suit to protect the body from staining. Several layers of clothing will help avoid bruises. Gloves help, as do scarves. DO NOT PERMIT THE FIRING OF PAINTBALL GUNS IN THE SAFE AREAS. Try not to cheat - you're just inviting trouble. Follow these simple rules and you'll be fine.

 

[LisaR]

Univ. NV Reno now has a sanctioned club team They travel to California to play other teams, DS is loving it!

I think I just found the motivation my son needs to get into college!

And I agree with others, the welts are a badge of honor. I will never forget the very first one my son got. It was horrible and I seriously thought I should take him to the doctor. DH and DS just laughed at me. DS made me take a picture of it to send to his cousins!

 

[FINFAN]

Univ. NV Reno now has a sanctioned club team They travel to California to play other teams, DS is loving it!

ahhh, you're killing me! Not bad enough DD goes 5 states away...now DS 6? The OOS tuition will finish us off for sure, lol. Sounds like a great school tho.

 

[shortbun]

I think I just found the motivation my son needs to get into college!

And I agree with others, the welts are a badge of honor. I will never forget the very first one my son got. It was horrible and I seriously thought I should take him to the doctor. DH and DS just laughed at me. DS made me take a picture of it to send to his cousins!

My god daughter still has a bruise she got when she was 18. She's 26. It just never went away. See, I don't think I can laugh off a contussion. This will be interesting.

 

[mamacatnv]

ahhh, you're killing me! Not bad enough DD goes 5 states away...now DS 6? The OOS tuition will finish us off for sure, lol. Sounds like a great school tho.

well there is that whole out of state tuition thing. NV is still a pretty decent deal not like what your DD paid and hey, whenever you come visit we could get together, it would be fun to finally meet!