Now that we have covered the most common injuries that can occur when playing paintball, let’s take a look at how you can prevent them. Here are 5 ways to keep you and your team safe during your next game.
Top 5 Ways to Prevent Paintball Injury
Safety Mask and Eye Protection
Paintball is a sport that requires a lot of physical activity, so it’s important to make sure that you’re protecting your safety as much as possible. While you may not think of your eyes as being vulnerable in the same way your body is, they are just as susceptible to injury. Paintball pellets can travel up to 350 feet per second and can cause serious paintball bruises and eye damage if you aren’t wearing proper eye protection.
If you’re playing paintball without eye protection, you risk losing your sight forever. That’s why you must invest in a good pair of goggles or safety masks before heading out onto the field. Consider investing in ANSI-approved eye protection as well. This type of eye gear is designed to offer maximum impact resistance, which means it’s more likely to protect your eyes from injury than regular safety glasses— especially when you’re playing paintball in a fast-paced environment. The last thing you want is to lose an eye because you didn’t wear the proper safety gear.

Sturdy Shoes and Closed-Toed Shoes
Given how much walking you’ll be doing during a paintball game, your shoes must provide solid support and grip. If you’re wearing open-toed shoes, they could easily get caught on the ground and cause an accident.
Instead, wear sturdy shoes with closed toes. This will help you avoid getting tangled up in the brush and tripped up by any obstacles on the field. Moreover, most purpose-built paintball shoes are constructed with materials that offer superior protection from the elements and other hazards. For example, many of them are waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about getting your feet wet during an intense game.
Sweatband or Arm Band
When you’re playing in a high-intensity environment, it’s common to get sweaty and hot. If sweat is running down your face and into your eyes, it can cause vision impairment and make it more difficult to aim accurately.
To prevent this, consider wearing a sweatband or armband. These simple accessories can help to keep sweat off your forehead and out of your eyes. They’re especially useful for players who wear glasses or contacts, as they can help to prevent the lenses from fogging up or getting wet.
Padding and Protective Clothing
Paintball is a full-contact sport, so it’s important to protect your body as much as possible. Wearing padding and protective clothing can help to reduce the impact of any hits you may receive during a game. Because when a paintball hits the body, it hurts. A lot.
Consider wearing padded gloves, elbow pads, knee pads, and even a chest protector if you’re worried about taking shots to the torso. These pieces of protective gear can help to reduce the impact of paintball hits and prevent paintball bruises and other dangerous injuries.
Additionally, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants can also help to protect your skin from any direct hits. While you may feel more vulnerable in long sleeves and pants, they can provide some added protection and prevent paint from getting directly on your skin.

Wearing a Helmet
Helmet? Won’t it slow me down?
While it may seem like wearing a helmet will hinder your ability to move quickly and agilely on the field, it’s a crucial piece of safety equipment that can help prevent the worst injuries – a.k.a head injury. Paintball pellets can cause serious damage to the head, which is why it’s important to have some form of head protection.
Not only will a helmet protect your head from direct hits, but it will also help to reduce the impact of any stray shots that may hit you. Many helmets are designed to absorb the impact of a paintball hit, which can help to prevent concussion and other serious head injuries including paintball bruises on your head and even paintball welts on and around the head area.
Additionally, a helmet can also provide some added protection to your face, neck, and ears thus preventing some of the most dangerous paintball accidents. Some helmets are designed with face masks that provide additional protection to these areas, which can be particularly helpful in close-quarters combat scenarios.
How Long Do Paintball Welts Last?
Paintball is a thrilling and exciting sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, one thing is certain – getting hit by a paintball is no fun. But how long do those painful welts last? And is there anything you can do to minimize the discomfort?
First, let’s talk about what causes paintball welts. When a paintball hits your skin, it creates a small, round bruise known as a welt. These welts can be quite painful, especially if the paintball hits a sensitive area. The severity of the welt depends on several factors, including the velocity of the paintball, the distance it traveled before hitting you, and the type of paintball used.
So, how long do paintball welts last? The answer is that it depends. In most cases, welts will last for a few days before they start to fade. However, some people may experience welts that last for a week or longer. This is especially true if the paintball hits a sensitive area, such as the face or neck.
How to Treat Paintball Welts?
There are a few things you can do to minimize the discomfort of paintball welts and treat them.
One option is to use a cold compress on the affected area. This can help to reduce swelling and pain. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help relieve discomfort.
It’s also important to avoid picking at the welts. This can cause the paint to spread and can lead to infection. Instead, let the welts heal on their own. This will help to minimize scarring and ensure that the welts heal properly.
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