One of my biggest concerns when I first began playing Airsoft was – is it safe. I mean, come on, you have teams of players running around firing guns. All kinds of guns, and they look so much like the real thing. Was it something I wanted to get involved with? Hell yeah…
Fortunately, I had family members and friends who had been playing Airsoft long before me. So I asked them if it was dangerous. After laughing at me and then convincing me it was ok, I took the dive and went and had a go, just to see for myself. And this is what I learned.
Airsoft is not a dangerous sport or hobby if you comply with the guidelines, use your weapon appropriately, and adhere to the rules on an Airsoft site. You can also reduce the potential risks by investing in good protective equipment and maintaining your weapons regularly. However, as with many fast-paced sports, there will always be some danger that can’t be accounted for.
When I first began researching Airsoft, this was something I wanted to know. Was it dangerous? I wanted to know everything about getting hurt before I started playing. I was anxious, nervous and I have to admit, pretty scared.
Before trying out any new sport or hobby, it’s always a good idea to do your research first. It’s good to understand what you may be letting yourself in for and get the unanswered questions answered.
I want to share with you what I learned in the short time I have been involved in the sport. And to also let you know that Airsoft is a fun and safe sport.
Most Common Airsoft Injuries
Airsoft isn’t a dangerous sport by any means but injuries do and will occur. Here’s a list of the most common types of injuries;
- Slips, trips, and falls – slipping on wet grass/foliage or tripping over a hidden branch
- Mild bruising from a BB pellet or from falling over
- Mild Scratches from branches
You probably have more chance of getting injured playing soccer or riding a skateboard than you would do playing Airsoft. However, there is one serious injury to be careful of and that is an eye injury. Thankfully, this doesn’t happen too much. In most cases this could be avoided if players follow three basic rules:
- Wear eye protection
- Choose suitable eye protection (not the mesh kind)
- If you see someone without eye protection – DO NOT AIM for the eyes or face
Another type of injury while playing Airsoft is due to Health and Fitness. You don’t have to be an athlete to play but it does help if you know your fitness levels and prepare accordingly. Airsoft can be an extremely physical game depending on what type of game you’re playing. Some common health and fitness-related injuries can be;
- Dehydration
- Cramp
- Exhaustion
- Low Sugar Levels
Fortunately, these are all preventable if you prepare yourself. Take and drink plenty of water. If you think you have enough, drink more. I’ve known people who will run around for hours without having a drink and then begin to feel sick, mainly because of ego.
Take plenty of food too. Make more than you think you’ll need. You can always take it home with you. All that movement burns energy and you need to replace it…quickly.
Can An Airsoft Gun Kill?
One of the most popular questions asked in Airsoft is whether or not an airsoft gun can kill. Airsoft guns are not killing machines, however, I think the fact that it’s a firearm stirs people’s emotions. I mean, replica or not, you are pointing a gun at someone.
Airsoft guns cannot kill you. These replica weapons are not built to cause harm to people. They are developed in such a way that the speed of a BB pellet won’t harm you or even penetrate your skin unless shot at a very close range. Most unmodified Airsoft guns fire at a rate of 350 fps which is classed as a safe rate.
It would take a firing rate of 400 fps plus for an Airsoft gun to be able to kill or seriously harm you. But there would also be other factors required for this to happen. See below;
- Type of BB/Pellet – The harder they are, the more damage they can cause
- Range of shot – The closer you are to the gun being fired, the more chance of penetration
- Type of Gun
- The body part being shot at
- Weight of ammo
Real firearms have an average of 1000 fps or above. Combine this with the bullets/pellets used and there is the potential to cause death or serious harm. See the table below to compare fps of real guns and Airsoft guns;
| Gun Type | Frames Per Second (FPS) |
|---|---|
| KJW M9 Airsoft Pistol | 320 |
| ASG Scorpion EVO 3 A1 ATEK Airsoft Rifle | 390 |
| KJW M700 Gas Bolt Action Sniper Rifle | 500 |
| 9mm Luger (A real gun) | 975 |
| Glock 17 ( A real gun) | 1230 |
| 50 Caliber Sniper Rifle | 2700 |
Tips To Stay Safe In Airsoft
By now you should be confident that Airsoft is not a dangerous sport. But if you’re still not convinced, here are some safety tips you can follow to help make it safe for yourself and fellow players.
1. Always Wear Protection
Haha, no, not that type. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Invest in some good eye protection and a good face mask. You’ll thank me one day. It might also be a good idea to invest in a helmet.
Most newcomers have a small budget and want to spend a good chunk of the money on a gun. So this leaves little left for anything else. Buying a decent gun is a good idea, but so is buying decent protection. If your protection doesn’t protect you enough and you don’t like how much being shot can hurt, you’ll probably want to quit.
Having good protection will not only protect you, but it will also boost your confidence and allow you to run around safely racking up the hits.
2. Follow The Rules
I know rules are meant to be broken, or so they say. But not in Airsoft. Field rules are implemented to ensure everyone is kept safe and allow players to have fun.
Airsoft rules may differ slightly from field to field, however, certain safety rules apply to all Airsoft players. Here are some general Airsoft rules;
- Avoid point-blank shots
- Always wear face protection (usually the full face)
- Control the direction of your gun at all times
- Don’t place your finger over the trigger until you are ready to fire (it can prevent accidental firing)
- Magazines are to be removed and guns cleared of bb’s in safe zones
3. Always Unload Your Gun When Not Playing
Accidental firing is generally frowned upon on most Airsoft fields and to be fair I understand why. But it’s accidental, right? Well, yeah but it can be easily prevented by unloading your magazines and barrel. Simple as that. There are areas within a game where you are not allowed to have a loaded gun – Safe Zone and when you’re out of play. Each site might have additional rules too.
4. Wear Appropriate Footwear
Running through a forest playing Airsoft has its hidden dangers. Things like broken branches hiding in the undergrowth or some old rusty equipment lying about hiding in the foliage. Surprisingly, footwear is high on newcomers’ wish lists.
Investing in a good, solid pair of boots will go a long way in preventing most accidents. It’s surprising how people turn up wearing trainers. Not that this is wrong, it’s just not the best option for outdoor Airsoft. One guy turned up on this site wearing sliders, yes, sliders. He was refused entry (and quite rightly) unless he could change his footwear.
5. Be Mindful of Where Your Gun Is Aiming
Only ever aim your gun at the target you intend to shoot. It’s all too easy to wave your Airsoft gun around the field, especially if there are multiple targets nearby. Take the shot, if you hit the target (and they acknowledge it), lower your weapon.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, you now fully appreciate that Airsoft is not dangerous. Yes, it has risks, just like many other sports and hobbies but most of them are preventable. The key to keeping Airsoft safe is using what you’ve learned in this article and putting it into practice.
