This set of rules is not a comprehensive list of safety rules and guidelines for the use and ownership of Airsoft BB’s. This list is intended to assist the Airsoft BB’s owner and user in understanding the responsibility that is a fundamental part of owning or using one of these products. There is no substitute for common sense and discretion when using one of these products.
While each field or tournament offers their own unique guidelines and safety regulations, there are some universal common sense steps that you can take to help ensure that you and your teammates are safe from any real physical threat and bodily harm. Remember, the actions of a few can have far reaching consequences for the many, and like any sport, injury is never part of the game. With your help, our industry can thrive, enriching the lives of everyone who loves airsoft. After all, airsoft is more than a hobby. It’s a lifestyle!
Please consider the information provided herein as important information, warnings, and considerations to take into account when using our products. We do not dictate, control nor propose any official rules for the manner in which your conduct you airsoft gaming and therefore cannot be liable for any injury, loss or damage of whatever nature (direct, indirect, consequential, or other) which may arise as a result of the use of (or inability to use) any of our products.
General safety recommendations:
USE PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR AT ALL TIMES!
Proper airsoft eyewear protection is essential. Some airsoft guns can shoot BB’s at velocities in excess of 370 feet per second. Although such speeds should not be allowed in airsoft games, the mere possibility of unprotected eye contact with a BB travelling at high speed is clearly DANGEROUS! Additionally, some bb’s could fragment upon impact posing unforeseen risks for eye injury. Regular reading, sun, and gun shooting glasses, swimming or diving eyewear, skiing, skydiving, welding or military goggles, are not appropriate airsoft gaming eye protection. All these products have only been conceived to protect your eyes from light, dust, weather conditions, and indirect impacts. Appropriate airsoft eyewear needs to withstand and fully protect your eyes from direct impacts, shocks and fragmentations. ONLY specially conceived eye protection for airsoft gaming, with at least an ANSI Z87.1 standard, should be used. Such a standard calls for thorough manufacturer testing of complete devices (frame, lenses and shield) for the specified application. Never risk eye injury by playing/shooting/using any airsoft game or shooting equipment without proper eye protection.
• USE PROTECTIVE WEAR AT ALL TIMES!
As per the dangers previously explained, always wear appropriate body protection when playing, or when in or around any airsoft playing grounds.
• NEVER SHOOT AT UNPROTECTED TARGETS!
No one without appropriate eyewear should ever be allowed within any airsoft game premises, nor should anyone ever shoot at, near, nor in the directions of anyone not wearing proper airsoft gaming protection. Therefore, never enter any airsoft playing grounds without proper protection, nor shoot at, or around, any unprotected person and/or animal.
• NEVER SHOOT TARGETS AT CLOSE RANGE!
Average airsoft guns fire at velocities between 200 and 370 feet per second. Without the added risk of modified equipment, which fire bb’s at even higher velocities, close range airsoft shooting could cause unforeseen injuries, and in extreme cases even death. This risk is especially increased during direct close range firing. Due to this inherited risk, never shoot targets at close range.
• ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR EQUIPMENT MANUALS BEFORE USAGE!
Each manufacturer of your airsoft equipment and ammunition should provide you with manuals and/or product usage warnings and indications that allow for safe and optimal gaming conditions. The warnings and recommendations therein should always be considered and followed to preserve everyone’s safety, as well as the equipment’s integrity.
• ALWAYS CONSULT AND FOLLOW ALL APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS!
Each local authority has determined the applicable laws and regulations for airsoft equipment handling, commercialization, and usage. It is therefore important to inform yourself of all applicable laws and regulations in your area to ensure your full compliance before commercializing, purchasing, handling, or using any airsoft equipment or ammunition.
• NEVER HANDLE LOADED OR UNPROTECTED SHOOTING EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC!
Airsoft guns can be easily confused with firearms. It is important for your own safety and that of others never to carry or present your airsoft gun outside airsoft gaming areas or in public places without a gun case. It is just as imprudent to carry loaded shooting equipment as it could accidentally discharge causing bodily injury and/or property damage. Besides this being good safety advice, in many places, not doing so is illegal.
• NEVER LEAVE YOUR AIRSOFT GUN AND/ OR AMMUNITION:
o UNATENDED!
o AT THE REACH OF CHILDREN OR ANIMALS!
o LOADED WHEN NOT IN USE!
Shooting equipments, of any kind, are not toys! They are meant to be used responsibly and within all legal boundaries. An accidental shooting equipment discharge can cause unforeseen property damage and/or bodily injury, especially when discharged at close range. Ammunition can also pose a danger of asphyxiation to children and animals when swallowed. The best way to avoid accidental discharges, injuries and risks to children and animals is to treat every airgun as loaded at all times, and to safely store it, as well as all ammunition, away from the reach of children and animals. Spilled ammunition can also be at the origin of slipping and falling. If a spill of ammunition occurs, please retrieve all of the spilled material at once to avoid accidents/injuries. In general, always handle your airsoft gun equipment and ammunition with care and responsibility in the complete respect of all applicable laws and regulations. If physical injury ever occurs seek immediate medical attention and inform the appropriate local emergency services and authorities as required.
• DO NOT USE AIRSOFT SHOOTING EQUIPMENT OUTSIDE GAMING DESIGNATED AREAS!
Areas for airsoft gaming should be officially designated and structured to comply with all applicable safety rules and regulations. They should always include, amongst other things, limited access to the unprotected public and a safety perimeter surrounding the gaming area, and every possible measure should be taken to prevent accidents, bodily injuries and property damages. To this end, it is imperative never to use your shooting equipment in public and/or outside officially designated areas. If you deem necessary to test equipment outside an officially designated area, at your own and sole risk and liability, make sure you secure the area and its surroundings to avoid any unwanted shot trajectories beyond your intended target. Restrict unprotected public access to the area and account for, and prevent, any other factor that might lead to accidental injury or property damage before any firing takes place.
• ALWAYS ENSURE SAFETY OF THE SURROUNDINGS BEFORE FIRING!
No one can ensure the exact final trajectory of a shot. It is therefore imperative to ensure that any possible trajectories, rebounds or unexpected deviations will not hit unprotected targets, reach beyond the officially designated playing grounds, nor inadvertently hit targets in other private or public areas. To this effect, it is also imperative to know your gun and ammunition velocity and range capabilities, and to ensure the security of the surroundings before firing at any target.
• USE ONLY GOOD QUALITY AIRSOFT COMPLIANT AMMUNITION!
None other than manufacturer approved plastic airsoft BB materials should be used as ammunition for airsoft gun games. The use of real BB gun ammunition (metal), or any BB of materials that present an overly increased hardness and/ or weight, increases the risk of penetration which could cause serious bodily harm, or even death! It is therefore extremely dangerous to use any other type of ammunition which has not been produced and thoroughly tested by the manufacturer for airsoft gaming. Furthermore, certain types of ammunition materials can also fragment and cause added safety risks, as well as possible damages to your equipment. If you doubt the quality or compliance of a type of ammunition, do not use it.
• THINK AND ACT RESPONSIBLY!
ALWAYS THINK SAFETY FIRST!