Commitment to safety

[djmtott]

After seeing a few things at the last few games I've been to, and after reading reports of games I've missed, I thought it would be worthwhile to start a thread in regards to the safety aspect of airsoft.

I'm not trying to cite specifics or to spotlight any people or incident in particular, but it seems that the airsoft community here on this board has slipped in some regards to safety.

I've heard and read stories of people pointing weapons at others without eye protection, recklessly shooting in the staging area, knowingly hosting games where it is prohibited, and I can't remember the last time I've seen a safety briefing (although admittedly I don't attend as much as I'd like). I remember my first few games people would ask who has never been to a game before, and then we'd have a safety brief. I haven't seen that in a while, and I contend it should be done each and every time no matter the experience of those in attendance.

Maybe I'm worrying too much, but I hate to think of what would happen if someone got hurt at one of our games because we've gotten too complacent about safety. Also, even if I'm wrong it's better than not saying anything.

In the end I'd just like to ask everyone to honestly think about their own conduct and ask yourself if you're doing everything you can to make this hobby as safe as you can, and if not then what you need to do to correct that.

Thanks for your time and patience if you managed to read all of this.

[Vince]

tl;dr

Darwin acts in mysterious ways.

[Farslayer]

I've actually noticed the same thing.  We've been in the staging area and 10 feet away someone was going full auto or checking their hop-up.  It used to be that mags came out when we hit the cars, and, there was a designated "safe" area to fire your rifle or adjust your hop up.  I've gotten used to putting on my shooting glasses when I drive up  because I don't trust other players.

Good topic.

[Firehead]

Well, this is where maturity comes into play, and common sense too.

To me, having a loaded airsoft gun isn't a big deal, some people just need to be trained on proper "weapon" handling. I've heard the arguement, "but its not real, who cares", this is the wrong attitude. I walk around on a regular basis with a loaded automatic weapon(or several on my guntruck), so weapon safety and handling is second nature. Anyone who has sufficient amount of time around firearms knows about muzzle awareness. A few tips to keep safety from being an issue.

A.) Get a good sling. If you don't have to touch your weapon, and you can still have good control over it, you'll be good to go. I see to many people holding their rifle by the grip, arms danging at their sides.
B.) Get some ballistic rated sunglasses and some goggles to go over them, if you are REQUIRED to have sealed eyepro. I highly recommend Oakley M-Frames for the sunglasses, don't cheap out on stuff like this. I've had mine for a while now, and they have minimal scratching, and I can wear them for hours on end without becoming uncomfortable. For sealed eyepro, I recommend the ESS Land Ops, or NVG Profiles. I've used both here in highly dusty conditions, and I was completely comfortable wearing them over my Oakleys. After the game, take off the sealed eyepro, and you still have some ballistic protection if a BB were to somehow hit you in the eye.
C.) Make sure you have your shit on safe when you come back into the staging area. If you need to, have someone walk around and check. Some people worry about magazines in the weapon, but I personally don't see it being a big deal provided the weapon is on safe, and proper weapons handling is being excerised.

On the safety briefs, I agree, for the most part. At larger games they should be essential. Some of the smaller games I've gone to with my friends that I play with on a regular basis, its not an issue. Test fire zones should be designated, a safety word, or signal should be designated so if someone gets hurt, everyone knows whats going on(I know we've done this in the past). If someone violates a simple rule, you could be a dick and tell them to leave, or be someone nice about it, and tell them they have to sit out.

[CipherBlue]

As that i am the Current safety rang officer form TAC i feel i might as well chime in with my respects to this topic. Down in the Tucson area we get the advantage (in this regards) of a smaller more regular group of players who know full well the safety regulations of Airsofting within our group. all be it not to say we are any where near close to being perfect for i must agree it is with our regulars that we lacks on our Briefings. If the military teaches every one, one thing it is that repetition is the only way no matter how well you know something to keep it fresh in the mind. After reading this I my self have a renewed sense of Safety briefings. Until this point it has been mainly at our large ops that i hand out my safety briefings yet from now on i feel we must increase the regularity in which these briefings are said to a constants no matter who the player that be. Every game needs one no matter how large or how small and hence forth they shall have them. If people feel that i come off as a "Hard ass" during my briefings then all the better at least people are taking me serious.

[Bullseye]

+1

You can NEVER go wrong by reiterating the safety regs. The one time you do, you invite a problem.