Eye Protection, a MUST?

[Snappy]

Some of the guys I play paintball with out in the woods don't think it's necessary to wear goggles. Once I was shooting at someone and took a hit from the side, so I said I was out. He stood up 10 feet away with no mask. I kinda freaked out and said I was shooting right in his direction, and since he was on a slope I was aiming right at his face. I was looking for a pic or something that could help me make my point. Thanks!

[vtec]

those have to be the stupidest people on earth, stop playing with them until they have proper eye protection

[wyn1370]

I would feel bad enough if some I shot someone stupid enough to lift there mask while playing and they lost their eye. Just think how you'd feel knowing they wheren't wearing a mask, that's some serious guilt. I agree with Snappy, don't play with people who don't wear goggles.

Sorry that should have said "agree with vtec"

[TheTramp]

I will not shoot my marker at anyone who isn't wearing a mask w/ goggles. Absolutly no exceptions. If that means I don't get to play, then I don't play. With that said, I've never played anywhere ("real" field or outlaw) where anyone didn't have a mask. Of course there will always be the problem of people taking it off when they shouldn't but that's different story (while still dangerous) The best thing you can do is refuse to play with them. If this catches on, soon they'll have no one to play with. Or you could just wait till one of them looses an eye.

[Webmaster]

Take a grape - which is similar to an eye - and shoot it with your paint gun. Notice how it doesnt look like a grape anymore... inform your "friends" that is what happens to eye when Mr. Paintball comes to town.

there isnt an excuse for this anymore - every freaking walmart and kmart in the nation carries at least a basic mask - and they are cheap!

[Snappy]

Actually, I've done that to a can to show my dad what a paintball can do. Good idea, and I'm sure I'll be able to make my point. Thanks!

[Thordic]

If you play outlaw, get a chrony too. We never play without chronying all our guns first to make sure there are at or under 300. (one time our friend couldn't get lower than ~303 +/- 2 but we figured an extra 5 fps wasn't going to kill anyone)

Getting shot with a ball going 400+ fps = bad

[joeyjoe367]

Yeah I like Webbie's Idea. Except you should use something a bit bigger than just a grape. Something a bit more graphic also...

a rotton Tomatoe would be great :P

Anyway, a Chronograph is a good investment. The Viewloader Vlocity Chronograph is a pretty good one. I personally own one that's shared between a bunch of guys.

Not only is it good for outlaw play, but you can test out the consisitancy of your shots when you're not on the field. Great for workin' on 'guns.

[Blennidae]

I agree with the "graphic demo" idea. I have been hit in the goggles too many times to even think about playing with no eye protection.

[Snappy]

Originally posted by Blennidae
I have been hit in the goggles too many times to even think about playing with no eye protection.

So have I. That's why I'm upset that they'd even think about letting anyone play without. It's a training exercise, so I'll complain to the admin and show my folded in half can I shot, say paintballs fly at 200 MPH, and refuse to do an exercise if there is ANYONE without goggles. It helps that I have 3 sets so I can loan and whatnot. I don't want to upset everyone, but I'd much rather do that than blind someone. I have thought about chrono, but it's a little late for that. Wish I had a one right now. Maybe I'll ask the field guys if we could use one when I get the CO2. I won't play, and won't let my cocker be played if it isn't safe. Thanks guys, you've really helped me out.

[ben_JD]

They are morons.

Since you live in Ft. Worth, just come out to Fun on the Run Paintball Park* and shoot at me all day long...I wear goggles (and I shoot back).


*IH-820 and Jacksboro Highway.

[mac2k4]

well hell if there too stupid to think about playing saftley at all, then don't play with'em.

[Miscue]

Bungee jumping without a bungee is not very smart. Neither is paintball without goggles... both can be very unhealthy.

[hitmanng]

There used to be a very good post in Deep blue on the subject but it is dead now.
Read This:

Changing trends in paintball sport-related ocular injuries.
Fineman MS, Fischer DH, Jeffers JB, Buerger DG, Repke C.

Retina Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the type and severity of ocular injuries caused by paintballs, to summarize the outcomes, to determine if the injury occurred in a commercial or noncommercial setting, to compare the number of injuries in each setting as a function of time, and to ascertain whether eye-protective devices were worn and why they were removed. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of 35 patients who sustained ocular injuries caused by paintballs and underwent evaluation and treatment at an eye hospital from January 1, 1985, to September 30, 1998. Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients underwent a complete ocular examination, diagnostic testing, and surgical intervention when indicated. RESULTS: All patients were male (average age, 22 years). Twenty-six patients (74%) had an initial visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, and visual acuity in 16 (46%) remained 20/200 or worse on follow-up (range, 2 weeks to 22 months). Traumatic hyphema was seen in 21 patients (60%). Twenty-two patients (63%) had access to goggles, 7 (33%) of whom removed them due to fogging before the injury. Injuries sustained after 1995 were 5.8 times (relative risk, 5.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-22.4) more likely to occur during a noncommercial war game than those occurring in 1995 or before. CONCLUSIONS: As the popularity of war games increases, so does the potential for serious ocular injury caused by paint pellet guns. Most injuries seen after 1995 occurred in noncommercial war game settings, where the use of eye-protective devices is not required. Industry standards for eye protection have been developed recently and should be implemented.

PMID: 10636415 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

There are many many more studies.
Hitmanng

[Snappy]

I found out why they didn't wear goggles at first. We didn't have paintball guns. Well, we did HAVE them, but they were pointed at us. We were given goggles. Later we got to have guns and they all put on goggles. All in all it was good training. Of course this does not make up for when they played without before. I'll make it a point to refuse to play with anyone who doesn't wear goggles. I'll be armed with information and a Cadet-don't-be-stupid stick.