What Happens When You Get Hit With a Paintball?

Paintball has become an increasingly popular sport over the last few decades. A thrilling, fast-paced experience, it provides a great way to have some fun with friends while also exercising. While the game can be a lot of fun, it does come with some risks. Among the range of safety hazards, one of the most concerning is getting hit by a paintball. In this article, we take a closer look at what happens when you get hit by a paintball.

Paintballs Aren't Completely Harmless

Paintballs may sound harmless, but they can pack a punch when they hit you. Paintballs have a hard shell and are designed to pop open when they come in contact with something, releasing the paint-filled liquid inside. They travel up to 200 mph and, depending on the distance the paintball gun is from the target, can cause more than just a splat of paint.

The Three Levels of Impact

When it comes to paintball, there are three levels of impact. The least serious is the splatter, which generally occurs when the gun is used at close range and the paintball hits the target at a shallow angle. You might see some paint marks and feel a mild sting, but the skin will remain intact.

More serious bruises are caused when a paintball hits the target at a closer range with some force behind it. This could cause some skin damage, such as welts and bruises, but it won't break the skin. The most serious injuries occur when a paintball strikes the skin at close range with force. This can result in bleeding and broken skin. The paintball is also capable of fracturing and bruising underlying muscles and other structures in more serious cases.

How to Prevent Injury

The best way to ensure your safety when playing paintball is to wear protective clothing and gear. This will help to reduce the damage caused by the paintballs. Make sure to wear a face mask, chest protector, gloves, elbow and knee pads, and shin guards at all times.

It's also important to make sure that the paintball gun is in good condition and all safety protocols are followed. Some of these protocols include ensuring that the gun is never pointed at anyone when it's not in use and checking that the gun is not set too high on the power setting, as this could lead to more serious injuries.

Treatments

If you do get injured during a game of paintball, the best thing you can do is to cease play immediately and seek medical attention. Never try to treat a serious injury with ice or other treatments. If needed, you should also consider using painkillers and antibiotics to stave off infection.

Once the injury has healed, you should use an appropriate skin cream to help soothe any skin irritation or discoloration. In more serious cases, your doctor might suggest physiotherapy or surgery to help you make a full recovery.

Brief Recap

In conclusion, paintball is an exciting sport, but it's important to be aware of the potential risks. If you can take appropriate safety protocol and protective gear, you'll be able to reduce the likelihood of injury. If, however, you do get hit by a paintball, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. With the right treatments, you should be able to make a full recovery with no long-term damage.