Paintball Injuries
Paintball sometimes has a public image problem. This is because of the bellicose nature of the game and the fact that it seems dangerous. The facts about Paintball injuries show just the opposite.
Paintball is never going to be able to totally shake its negative public image as regards its bellicose nature. Statistics show that the number of females involved in the sport is not growing at the same rate as the total number of players. From its conception, Paintball has been a sport that simulates the thrill of the hunt and the sting of combat. It is a game for hunters and warriors and they can talk about fun all they want, but there will always be a portion of the population who will think it is just awful. But, what about Paintball being a dangerous sport? Do the statistics on Paintball injuries support this idea?
The truth is that the stats show Paintball to be safer than basketball and baseball. The total number of Paintball related injuries compared to player participation is very, very low. There are a number of reasons for this, but the most important is the fact that Paintball has put a premium on safety from the very start. Even as the sport was being developed, the players were taking steps to protect themselves from injury. The whole idea of the game was to simulate hunting and fighting without actual injury.
Today, the sport of Paintball has some incredibly rigid safety standards. The velocity of the Paintball markers, for example, is limited to 300 feet per second and most manufacturers stay a bit under that to remain on the safe side. Safety gear is tested and certified to be able to withstand the maximum velocity. Every Paintball venue insists that complete and proper protective gear be worn by every participant every time. The sport has regulated itself to insure the safety of its players.
The majority of injuries caused by Paintball equipment take place when players are using the equipment in their own backyards without supervision or common sense. This is something that can not be blamed on the Sport anymore than accidents caused by drunk or reckless driving can be blamed on the Automobile injury. As the comedian said, there is no cure for stupid.
It is true that there are many Paintball injuries that consist of bruises or sprained ankles that are caused by falls while running and jumping during the game. This is like the torn knees in basketballs, the concussions of baseball, or really even the cut knees of children running in the playground. The only way to completely avoid injury is to lay in your bed for your entire life. Sprained ankles can not be held against the sport of Paintball. It is one of the safest activities in the world of sport and recreation because those that play it have insisted on making it so.