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Safety Thoughts
As the “season” is starting it makes sense to review some of the basic safety rules that we all play by.
First - The all important Mask. Remember this is your only protection for your single hit disposable eyes. What we mean by
that is one hit to an eye and you will loose the sight if not worse. Remember, keep your mask on anytime that you are on the
field, chrono, or other shooting areas. Closely inspect your mask for hard hits and other damage. If your lens is scratched,
marked or otherwise marked you need to replace the lens. Your lens should also be replaced at least once a year.
Second - Barrel Bags/plugs. This is the second defense from accidental shooting. These are designed to “catch”
a shot in areas where a shot could cause injury. One of the biggest issues I see with barrel bags is people leave them too
loose. One shot clears the bag off the end of the barrel. With todays electronic markers you can have three or four shots
go off quickly with only the first one catching in the barrel bag. Keep them on and keep them tight.
Third - Chrono early and often. It is not enough to set your marker first thing during the event. Make sure that you chrono
several times during the day. You should also check the chrono every time that you change or fill your air supply.
Finally - Make sure all your equipment is working correctly. If your marker needs to be “locked” into a certain
mode, make sure you know how to do that. Go over your clothing and make sure it is ready for another year of play. Do not
forget the small items such as shoes and hats/sandanas.
In the end we are all responsible for the safety of not only ourselves but each and every player on the field. Be careful
out there and remember...it is all about the fun!
Something every player should have as part of the equipment they carry onto the field
is a first aid kit. It really doesn't have to be something out of a trauma room at the emergency room, just a few items to
help make your day on the field a little easier.
We would suggest the following items in a small bag or container:
4x4 gauze, bandaids of different sizes, non latex gloves, tweezers, first aid cream, medical tape, couple of cravats (triangular
bandages).
You should also have a medical kit at your staging area. This should include the above items as well as
the following: Benadryl, Pain Meds (tylenol, ibuprohine etc), ice pack, ace bandage, larger gauze and tape, poison ivy cream,
and bug bite treatment. You can find a commercially available first aid kits at most drug stores. Finally, don't be afraid
to ask for assistance from the fields staff if the illness or injury is more than you think you can handle.
Feel free
to ask us if you wold like some information on a person or team first aid kit.
Paintball Player Emergency Information Packet
In order to help make players safer and to help them when they may not be able to help
themselves, the Maltese Militia has designed and made available the Paintball Players Emergency Information
Packet. This small card can be carried with you on the field and give important information to emergency
responders even when you cannot.
It is easy to use use, just download it, fill it out, and carry it with you when
you play. Make sure that your teamates and friends know where you carry it so that they can direct emergency workers to it,
even when you cannot. Even if you can speak for yourself, it helps responders if you have all the informatoin written down
for them.
You can click the link below and download the form. It is based on a 5x8 index card. The file is a PDF file.
If you need another file format, please email us and we will see what we can work out. info@maltese-militia.com
Click
here for the PPEIP Download
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