Tag Archives: fair play

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues

SAFETY WHILE PLAYING PAINTBALL (GUEST POST)

Sent to us by Grace Beckett 

When playing any game that involves shooting, safety should be your priority. Injuries, though not very serious, may still occur if you are not prepared for it. There are various safety issues and how to prepare for them. Knowing these can save you the unwanted trouble and pain of  an injury. Following these simple steps can ensure that you stay safe while having fun.

Safety equipment

Paintball masks that provide comprehensive protection for the face are available. It is necessary to wear a mask all the times in the playground. Even when you can feel the mask fogging up, you should not remove it during the game.     Play at places that have certified courses and staff, to aid you in case of any injury. The staff is adept at what they do and playing under their supervision can save you from potential injuries. 

  •      Avoid shooting wildlife when playing. It isn’t ethical, and is possibly illegal, too. 
  •      Check your CO2 tank before you start the games. It is important that you follow the steps explained by the manufacturer, as it can cause serious injuries. 
  •      Goggles are as important as masks. Eyes are especially susceptible to injury. If someone shoots directly at your face, it’s better to have your face protected, or you might even lose an eye. A paintball travels at over 200 feet per second, so it’s advisable to be safe than sorry. 
  •      Barrel plugs and barrel bags are important to be checked and done every time you take a break. Accidentally shooting someone is a realistic possibility and should be avoided. Put the barrel plug in place as soon as you go for a break. It not only ensures safety for others, but also for you, as you set an example for others by doing this. 
  •      Paintball is a fairly unregulated game. There are no statistics that give indications of the injuries afflicted by players. So, don’t believe the myth that it is safer than bowling or tennis. Field support has noticed increase in injuries in the last three years. So, play responsibly. 
  •      Avoid overshooting people. People generally get carried away and shoot opponents more than once in the heat of the battle. This shouldn’t be done. Repeatedly getting hit by these bullets can not only be uncomfortable, but also cause serious injury in the process. 
  •      Keep eyes in a different direction from air release valves. You can also wear jock or cup straps if you are a guy. This will reduce pain when hit by bullets. 
  •      Don’t shoot people from up close. In the heat of the moment it’s understandable that you might shoot someone from a distance. But it’s unacceptable to do it from point blank range without even calling surrender. If they don’t accept the surrender then you can go ahead and shoot them, but avoid doing it on the face as mentioned earlier. 

Paintball is a very entertaining game if played correctly and by following all rules. The game should be played responsibly to avoid causing injuries, or getting injured in the process. 

Grace is an expert with Airsoft BB guns, and posts blogs about these topics on various sites. The site she represents gives many offers on electronic and normal guns.

Grace, I believe I will stay on the sidelines for this one!  Thanks for the safety tips to follow while playing this game, and we can only hope participants follow your advice! Pat

General Safety Issues

BASKETBALL IS A FUN, ROUGH GAME!

Basketball is a fun sport that most kids have probably tried at one time or another.  From “Little Dribblers” on up, it is a great game.  Kids need to understand the rules of basketball and how much fun it can be when all participants follow those rules.  Because it is a contact sport, basketball injuries occur very often.  There’s lots of flailing of arms and throwing elbows while trying to go for rebounds or fending off a competitor.  Kids who want to participate in basketball or any sport usually are aware of the risks involved.  That is why they are taught the fundamentals of the game, and learn to be safe playing on the court with other players.   Those who play in team sports  bond with teammates, and that bond carries on through their school years and many times, beyond.

Strength training is important for preparing for any sport.  For basketball, strengthening the muscles around the knees can be very helpful.  Common injuries in athletes who play basketball are sprained knees, sprained ankles, jammed or broken fingers, broken noses, and poked eyes.  Other possibilities are colliding with other players, walls, or posts, and head concussions.   Players must wear the correct types of basketball shoes, protective mouth guards, and eye and nose gear as needed.  Doctors may prescribe certain bracing be worn by athletes who have experienced injuries of their knees.  (Now that we’ve pointed out a few hazards, let’s talk about some fun things.)

One of the most exciting March activities for college students and basketball fans alike is March Madness!   A total of 65 men’s teams vie for the Men’s Division I NCAA championship.  Women’s Division I NCAA Basketball playoffs feature 64 teams competing to reach the Championships.  At the time of this writing, conference tournaments are being played to see who gets picked to compete in the regional play-offs and later advance to the Road to the Final Four.   This is the culmination of a season of hard-played basketball, with many games won by a margin of one-point.  It’s hard to pick the real winner when both teams are equally skilled, but the team with the top score gets to move on.  

Another exciting tournament held each year is the National Invitational Tournament, which invites teams that did not make the NCAA playoffs to first compete on campus sites, with the semi-final and final game played at Madison Square Garden, in New York City.  This is also an honor to the teams that almost made it to the Big Dance, but maybe missed by only a point or two in play-off games.  Because the NCAA tournament is required to host winners from all Division I conferences, chances are that some of the ones that missed an invitation to that tournament may have had better records.  Also,  pro basketball teams have been competing now for a while, so we will watch as they begin their playoffs, as well.  There’s plenty to enjoy if you are a round-ball fan, before we move on to baseball!

Each year, many talented college players  will be chosen to move on to professional basketball next season.  So, if your “little dribbler” aspires to play like his/her hero when he or she is older, teach him or her, to play safe, play fair, and keep in good physical condition.  Parents can start them off by providing them with healthy diets and teaching good sportsmanship.  Whether they choose to be an athlete, or a scholar, or both, leadership qualities are taught at home, at a young age.