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paintballimpact.com / Referee- Judging Games / Referee Safety Rules
Referee Safety Rules and Regulations
Many parents of players wanting to break into the sport of paintball are apprehensive of the game, fearing the safety of their children. Indeed, the sport was commonly called "War Games" or "Survival Game" and the game always involves shooting at another person. In fact, the sport is a safe danger, and one which there is a very low incidence of injuries. In fact, many studies indicate that there is a lower incidence of injuries from paintball as there is from golf or soccer. Assuming that all players involved follow the safety rules, players are almost assured a fun day and safe day at the field. Read on below to learn more about all the most important safety rules.
- Like hunting, a player must not shoot at the bushes or fire at anything that moves. A shooter must not "blind fire". Blind fire means when a player does not shoot at a specific target that he has in a clear line of sight. A player must clearly see his target.
- Eye safety comes before anything else on the sport of paintball. Any person in any field must wear an ASTM certified paintball goggle/mask anywhere near the field. A player must keep his goggles on when in game action or at any location where he could possibly get hit with the paintball. Paintballs travel pretty far, and may travel off the playing field to hit objects far away from game action.
- Any player that is not participating in the current game must barrel plug their marker or use some other device like a barrel cozy or barrel swab over the paint gun barrel. The trigger of the marker is often extremely sensitive and a player may accidentally fire his gun when not in the game. Any player that has been eliminated or is out of game action compromises the safety of others when they don't have their barrel plug inserted.
- A player must offer surrender to an opponent if they have been lined up for a shot at close range. Close range is usually interpreted as a clear and easy shot of 25 feet or less. If the player within range is offered surrender, he has the option of accepting it or fighting on. If the person in danger is 15 feet or less, then they must accept surrender.
- You are eliminated from the game if you shoot at another from ten yards or less.
- When a player has been clearly eliminated or has called himself out, they are off limits, and must not be shot at again. An eliminated player should raise his marker above his head and shout "I'm Out" for "Hit!" or "Good Shot".
- Players involved in the game must check the speed of their markers with the chronograph. Almost all paintball fields have speed limits, speeds that paintballs should not exceed. Paintballs traveling at excessive speeds compromises player safety.
Paintball is actually one of the safest sports. A 1987-1988 study showed that paintball had 0.31 yearly injuries per 1,000 participants, while U.S. National Safety council statistics showed tennis had 1.09, golf 1.13, swimming 1.30, fishing 1.37, racquetball 2.53, snow skiing 3.44, baseball 27.67. These results indicate paintball to be one of the safest sports in the world.
Paintball as a sport is as safe as any reasonably active participant sport can be. Provided that you observe the basic safety regulations, the worst you'll end up with will be a few scratches and aching muscles.
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