Airsoft Retreat

Airsoft Safety Guide

Eye Protection

Always wear some kind of eye protection. Safety glasses do not work. Shooting glasses can shatter. I recommend paintball masks or just the eye protection piece of a paintball mask. Full paintball masks provide the most protection from ear and mouth hits but can become very hot and sweaty. If you choose to wear the eye protection part of a paintball mask just remember you can be shot in the face and ears. Do NOT use wiremesh paintball masks. The BB's can break apart upon impact with the mesh and create high speed shrapnel coming at your eyes.
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Eye Protection Guide

1. Paintball/Airsoft Goggles
Many people use the goggles from their paintball mask. But many masks are made so you cannot take the goggles out, so you have to cut them. When doing this, be very careful not to cut the goggles strap, only the mask. Some people use exacto knives, but my preferred method is scissors. There are also airsoft goggles on the market. They can be purchased at most wal-marts/k-marts. Anything made for paintball or airsoft is going to be capable of stopping a BB.

2. Other Types of Goggles
Some people choose to use other types of eye protection than just airsoft/paintball goggles. SKI MASKS ARE NOT A GOOD IDEA!! Lots of noobs have used eye "protection" that does not work. Shooting glasses, bad idea. Sun glasses, pool goggles, bad idea!!! It is a very bad thing to do to use anything that is not ANSI Z87.1 or ANSI Z80.3 standards rated. Eye protection, such as shooting glasses, with gaps or slits is not suitable for airsoft. BBs are very small, and can get through openings. Wire mesh goggles have a very bad reputation. They do not fog, but they make everything darker, and the sun glares off of the painted mesh. Also, it has been proven that cheap BBs can shatter when they hit the goggles, sending shrapnel into your eye. With that covered, here are a few options other than airsoft/paintball goggles. • Actual combat eye protection • Racquetball goggles (if properly rated) • Carpentry goggles, work goggles, etc (again, if properly rated)

3. Preventing Fog
Paintball goggles usually are anti-fog. Some airsoft goggles are. If your goggles fog up, there are a few tricks for preventing that. • Put anti-fog solutions (ops drops) on your goggles • Rub liquid soap (or detergent) onto the goggles and wipe it off and around. (in a circular motion) • Rubbing 100% silicone oil on your goggles will work, but I have heard rumors that it’s bad for you. Not sure though. • Put shaving cream or toothpaste on your goggles lenses, and let sit for around ten minutes. • Balaclavas and such will increase amounts of fog at least with glasses, because your breath rises out of the balaclava, and into the glasses.

Whatever you put on your goggles, be sure that it will not harm them. Certain things are corosive to goggles.

4. Accessories
There is a small variety of accessories available for certain goggles. Like Wiley X SG-1s can have tinted lenses installed. They can also have an elastic strap, sunglasses type “arms” that go around your ear, and also a cord that holds them to your neck when you take them off. Whatever accessories you install to whatever goggles, make sure you will still be safe.

5. What Makes a Good Goggle?
There really isn't that much to test for goggles, unlike AEGs. I think that good goggles should be:
non vision-impairing
made of very translucent material, not like those crap ones that come with some guns
fog resistant
comfortable
durable
easy to use with sights
compatible with lots of headgear
and above all, SAFE!

6. Goggles on the Market
Here is a list of the popular goggles on the market:

JT nVader Thermal Goggles
PRO'S
very fog resistant
Certain glasses can be used with these
cheap
very Durable
works with a lot of head gear
CON'S
very large / cuts down on vision a bit

Wiley X SG-1's
PRO'S
very very low profile
comfortable
replacement lenses available
CON'S
major fogging issue

Bolle X-800
PRO'S
reasonable priced
comfortable
works with a lot of head gear
replacement lenses available
CON'S
minor fog issue

ESS Profile NVG Turbo Cams
PRO'S
no fogging issue at all
most glasses can be used with these
very very durable
comfortable
works with a lot of head gear
CON'S
expensive

Tactical Product Group Operator Goggles(Ones from shorty)
PROS:
awesome against fogging because it has the ventalation holes on the side(smaller ones, small enough for a bb not to fit through)
has a foam material around the outside so they are comfortable around your eyes(also protects them from bouncing bb's)
comes with both clear and smoked lense and hard shelled carrying case
lenses are of good quality plastic(along with the rest of the body)
dont get in the way of your sights
fully adjustable
they look kind of wierd(kind of bug-eyed) but thery are intmidating while whereing the smoked lense
price($18)
i wear them with a head wrap and i know with a pb the mask kind of takes the head wrap with it while i remove it but these goggles are easy to work with
CONS:
as said before they look kinda funny

To sum it up, I think the JT's are the best goggles if you're on a budget. If you've got the money and want the best though get the ESS Turbo Cams. The Bolle X800 are a solid middle ground though. Obviously smaller glasses will work with more goggles. Some people have been able to get perscription lenses made for their goggles, so they do not need glasses when playing airsoft.
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General Safety Rules

This is setup in a Q&A format, and is intended for newer players. This guide was originally written by the MAA, and modified to be more broad in its scope.

What are safe FPS's?

Typical field limits are as follows: Outdoor Games - 400fps with .20 BBs or 350fps with .25g BBs. Indoor Games - 350fps with .20g BBs 300fps with .25g BBs. Snipers typically have a limit of 500fps, and a minimum engagement range of 100 feet.

How old do I have to be to own an Airsoft gun? It is a felony in some states for a minor (person under 18) to purchase an Airsoft gun without written permission from their parents. It is also a felony in some states for any minor under age 14 to posess an airsoft gun. This is why many states airsoft associations have an age limit of 14 and older for membership. How is an Airsoft gun defined by Law? It is a BB gun or a replica? "Airsoft Guns" are not specifically defined by federal law. However, airsoft guns share characteristics of "airguns", "BB guns", and "Replica Firearms" under many different laws. As a result, they are subject to statutes covering all three definitions. Check your local laws for more info. In many states, any crime involving an Airsoft gun is treated as if an actual real-steel firearm was used. Relevant Cases: Minnesota v. Peterson Minnesota v. Schwalm In the Matter of the Welfare of S.G.V., Child (Juvenille Case) What are the risks of playing "Street or Backyard Games?" The most immediate threat is a lethal police response. Here is an example which happened in Minneapolis: http://www.tomlast.com/maa/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000387#000000 Incidents like this have resulted in efforts to ban Airsoft in other states. Criminal charges associated with a "street game" could include, but are not limited to: Carrying a Concealed Weapon, Posession of Uncased Firearms, Felony Assault, and Breach of the Peace. In addition to criminal charges (punishable by a year in jail and fines up to $1000) your airsoft guns would also be confiscated and destroyed. If you recived probation, a condition of your probation would likely prohibit you from posessing an airsoft gun. If you are convicted of a felony, you would be facing a year or more in a state prison, plus fines exceeding $1000. You will also lose your right to posess real-steel firearms, your right to vote, and face other restrictions for the rest of your life. What do I need to do to play on private property? First of all, you need permission from the property owner. If the property owner is not present during the game, you should carry written permission with you while playing. Second, you need to ensure you don't cause a police incident. If the property is not secluded enough that bystanders will see the game, it's a very bad idea to play there. Even if the property is secluded, you should notify the local police/sheriff that you will be playing airsoft there. What liabilities are associated with hosting an Airsoft game? Ultimately the property owner is liable for anything and everything that happens during an Airsoft game on their property. This includes intentional or unintentional acts, medical emergencies, accidents, and property loss or damage. Waivers do not protect you from being sued for damages that result from an Airsoft game. What a waiver does is offer a defense in court that the "victim" knew of the risks and voluntarily participated in the event. Even with waivers, you can still be sued. If you are a minor, your parents can be sued. Unless you purchase special event insurance (contact an insurance broker for information about this) any liability should be covered by the property owner's general liability policy. As insurance policies vary from company to company, you should check with your insurance carrier to see if you are covered. Can I bring my Airsoft gun to school, if I leave it in my car, in the parking lot? Absolutely not. Most states have laws prohibiting the poesssion of BB guns and other "dangerous weapons" on school grounds, even when school is not is session. Where can I play "legally"? There are basically 3 places: 1. On Privately-owned land, with expressed written permission from the landowner; 2. On Publicly-owned land, with expressed written permission and any required permits from the organization which controls the land; 3. At dedicated playing fields. Regardless of the ownership status or purpose of the property, it's a terrible idea to play airsoft anywhere a non-participant might see you, or where there is a risk of accidental property damage or injury. A good rule of thumb is: if your shots might leave the playing area, then it's too small. Certain local restrictions may apply as well - for example, in Minneapolis and many other cities, it's illegal to fire an airsoft gun unless you are underground (eg, in a basement). Do I have to keep the orange tip? In most locations the orange tip is not required, howver, you should always check your local laws. How should I store/carry my guns? The same way you would real steel. Most state Statutes say that gun must be: 1. Unloaded 2. In a gun case expressly made to contain a firearm, if the case fully encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied, or otherwise fastened, and no portion of the firearm is exposed. Somw laws expressly mention BB guns as well, so it would reasonably apply to Airsoft. ASR sepcifically recommends you transport your guns in a locking gun case and unloaded, and that you put the gun case in the trunk of your car or (if your vehicle has no trunk) in the least accessible section of the passenger compartment. What should I do if the Police enter one of my games? 1. Immediately cease all activity. Make a BLINDMAN call. 2. Don't move unless you are told to. 3. Do whatever the Officer says. If you recieve no direction, ask the Officer what he wants you to do. 4. Don't argue, even if you think you are being mistreated. On the field while you are being detained is not the time to argue with the police. Your attitude can mean the difference between being released and arrested. Special thanks to the Minnesota Airsoft Association, and to Erik Pakieser (MAA Saftey Officer) for writing this FAQ. NOTE: Most of these rules and examples are specific to Minnesota but it gives a good idea of where other States and communites should look to make sure Airsoft is legal where you play.
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Table of Contents:

Airsoft Safety Guide

Eye Protection

Eye Protection Guide

General Safety Rules

Wilco & MG42's First Aid Guide

Contributors