Introduction to Airsoft Safety: Essential Rules for Every Player
Airsoft is a thrilling and immersive sport that combines strategy, teamwork, and adrenaline. However, just like with real firearms, safety always comes first. While airsoft guns are non-lethal, they can still cause injury if not handled correctly. This guide will walk you through the top 5 airsoft weapon safety rules. Whether you're a beginner in airsoft or an experienced player looking to sharpen your skills, safety should always be your top priority.
Why Safety is Important
While these safety rules may be easy to remember in a classroom or in a low-stress environment, applying them in an airsoft field under real conditions is a different challenge. In an field or active environment, an operator will be exposed to various conditions that can and most likely will disorient or unnerve them. This results in the increase potential for inappropriate handling of their weapon. As a result, this puts not only you, but also those around you at risk. Adherence to the 5 weapon safety rules is nonnegotiable.
1. Essential Protective Gear for Airsoft: Eye, Face, and Body Safety
- Eye Protection: Always wear ANSI-rated goggles or full-face masks for eye protection-this is non-negotiable. With BBs firing at speeds ranging from 200 to 600 feet per second (FPS). This can result in severe damage to the eyes without proper protection causing injuries such as corneal abrasions, retinal detachment, or even permanent blindness.
- Face Protection: Wearing face protection is just as important as eye protection. A face mask can prevent dental injuries from BBs which can chip or break teeth if they hit your mouth. A full-face mask or a lower face guard can protect your teeth from these impacts.
- Head Protection: Wearing a helmet can protect your head from impacts as well as protect your head in close quarter battle environments (CQB). Majority of modern style helmets can also mount various accessories. Stay tuned for future posts where we will explore the best ways to set up your helmet for airsoft.
- Gloves: Gloves are essential for protecting your hands, which are often exposed during a game. They also help prevent unnecessary cuts, bruises, and impacts during CQB.
- Body Armor and Vests: While an airsoft BB will not have the same penetration as a real pistol or rifle round, wearing body armor or a tactical vest can reduce the impact of BBs on you torso. The most important aspect is that you can tailor the vest to help you carry extra gear and ammo. Stay tuned for future posts where we will explore the best ways to set up your tactical vest for airsoft, ensuring you are both protected and equipped for success.
- Knee and Elbow Pads: Due to the fast-paced and dynamic nature of an airsoft game. There will be lots of repeated actions of kneeling, crouching, and proning. Having these pads can help distribute the force of impacts to reduce strain and injury on your joints.
2. Treat Every Airsoft Gun as If It were Loaded
- Never trust your memory or make assumptions about the safety status of your airsoft gun.
- Check your weapon for BBs whenever it has been out of your possession
- Never hand a weapon to anyone without clearing it. Clearing is to visually and physically inspect the weapon's chamber for BBs.
- Whenever someone hands you a weapon, the first action is to clear it, even if you have witnessed its clearing.
3. Never Point an Airsoft Gun at Anything You Do Not Intend To Shoot
- Always be aware of the muzzle direction and your surroundings. As this will prevent unintentionally pointing of your weapon at anything other than your intended target.
- Never allow the muzzle of your weapon to point at any part of your body.
4. Keep Your Finger Straight and Off the Trigger Until You are Ready to Fire
- This is to prevent when a loss of balance or sudden shock causes an unintentional tightening of the grip. By keep one's finger off the trigger, the potential for a negligent discharge is prevented.
5. Keep Your Airsoft Gun On Safe Until You Intend To Fire
- Safety of an airsoft gun is the prevent the inadvertent fire of the weapon.