Face Masks or not?

[Tyger]

I think I know where this will go, but I feel like asking anyhow.

About 10 years ago it was "the thing" to wear goggles only when you played paintball. I won't get into specifics, but it fell out of favor for a few reasons. Mainly the kids emulating the pros were going home with welts on their faces didn't go over well. So we all wear full face masks now. And with the Revision mask thread and people's opinions on it, that made me think about face masks and so on. Which is why I started the poll.

But I also want to ask the question :

REGARDLESS of all other factors (insurance, for example), would you prefer to play paintball without a face mask, or with?

That's the main thrust here, just testing hte waters as they are.

-Tyger

[LudavicoSoldier]

Ummm...I dont relish the thought of getting hit in the teeth or nose. I will never, ever play without a full face mask. Well, maybe I would play stock class with just goggs, but not with the average ROF of any decent gun in rec nowadays.

[FreakBaller12]

I wouldn't, mainly because the only thign stickign out when you snap shoot is you're face and your gun and hands. The odds are you're going to get hit in the face.

[punkncat]

Just too unsafe not to wear a full mask. Not to mention the evil bruises you could end up getting right on your face. That would look good at work on monday. "Yeah , I'm a badass ! Look ! The bruise on my face proves it! "

[The Spanish Inquisition]

We used to play with just goggles all the time!! But the only way I would play today with just goggles is if it were a friendly woodsball pump only game with people I knew; and then only for nostalga purposes. Todays rof is just to high for it to be any fun.

[TDonovan]

I would play without the mask (goggles only). Except I may wear a thin hood just to keep my mouth covered. I've been shot there with a mask on and paint has gone all into my mouth. If the actual ball were to hit me in there it could cause some damage. Other than that, I wouldn't mind taking shots on the chin/check/etc.

[Steelrat]

Goggles only with a pump is one thing, but in an environment with 15 bps+ guns, doesnt sound fun. Also, the current generation of masks is so comfortable, it doesnt even feel like you are wearing a full mask.

[Blazestorm]

Even though full face masks don't provide a huge lot of protection, I prefer them.

I've gotten shot in the side of the ear, went deaf for an hour.

Been shot in the bottom of a proflex, went right through and hit my chin. (Was pretty funny actually, it was me vs. one of the "mean" brothers (they're actually really nice) and in the woods I was the last one left I start strafing out to get to a better bunker (higher up) and he comes out and we both put about 10 into eachothers face. Twas a fun game.

And plus getting shot in the mouth doesn't sound like much fun, especially if it went to your throat.

And they're small enough already... and vented enough *spits paint out of mouth*

[wonk]

imagine what a paintball shot inside an open mouth would do also.....ouch

[nippinout]

Just imagine yourself playing without that extra protection. I can't even imagine how much it would hurt to get hit in the teeth or even the back of the throat.

[Skoad]

my friend was shot in the face in the staging area, said it hurt but that was about it. About a month later he had to have 2 root canals because it had killed a bunch of nerves in his mouth.

my answer is I won't wear one, but if you want to it's your dental bill.


And im sure a shot to the nose will feel reaaaal good.

I don't see a reason why you WOULDN'T play with a full mask...if you have hard time breathing get a flex and flip up the mask

[Albinonewt]

In the beginning I just played with the goggles, and I wouldn't mind going back to it, EXCEPT, the bosses on wallstreet might wonder what happened to me monday morning.

So I'm afraid I've got to go with the face mask.

Bruises and scars may be cool in school, but not in the working world.




Edit:

As for smaller masks. I once shot a guy in the side of the face (point blank - oops) with my tippman pro-am and he had to get his jaw wired because of it. So I'm still going for full masks.

[shartley]

[shivors]

Saw a guy take a hit to the mouth with out a mask. Seperated hit lip about an inch and you could see his teeth through his face. Well until all of the blood and swelling started.

I will keep full face protection thanks.

Also...what about ear protection?

[shorty13]

as long as my mouth is cover i dont mind but one time a friendwearinf flex 7 got hit inside the mouththe flex bent up while he was talking and the ball hit him right in the roof of the mouth.