Paintball games always generate buzz - whether you're organizing a corporate event, challenging your friends, or just want to try shooting a marker (even if it only fires paint-filled pellets).
Naturally, if it's your first paintball battle, you'll have safety concerns: Does it hurt when hit? What gear do you need? Rest assured, every beginner has these questions. Keep reading to learn everything required for maximum paintball enjoyment.
1. Does paintball hurt?
2. What safety equipment is used?
3. How fast do paintballs travel?
4. Can children play paintball?
1. It's not extremely painful, but close-range impacts may leave slight bruises that fade quickly.
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2. All players wear protective overalls and masks. Since paintballs contain washable dye, the "pain" is minimal.
3. Paintballs are propelled by compressed air. Velocity is adjusted via a regulator on the marker (paintball gun), typically using an included Allen wrench.
Standard velocity is 265 FPS (~290 km/h) for average 0.5g paintballs. This equals 10 joules of energy.
This adjustment is mandatory - standard games enforce a 265 FPS limit. Snipers may use higher velocity for long-range shots.
4. Children can safely play using smaller .50 caliber paintballs (vs standard .68 cal). Low-impact versions eliminate compressed air and include full protective gear.
As with all adventure sports, choosing a reputable paintball provider ensures safe fun:
- Quality paintballs break on impact without causing harm (they may bounce off your gear).
- Venues should provide summer/winter paintballs (with different shell thicknesses).
- Protective gear must be high-quality, especially for sensitive areas like the neck.
- Staff should thoroughly explain all safety rules before gameplay.
Now that you know paintball is thrilling yet safe, check out the best paintball fields near you!
