Essential Field Accessories

[edesotelle]

Most people have several things they take to every game, their gun included.  But what else is important to have on hand?  I have attempted to answer this with my guide.

Water*:  I have known too many people who have either performed poorly or even suffered from heat stroke because they were not hydrated before or during a game.  Some fields may have spigots that you can fill your canteens or hydration packs from, but I prefer to bring my own water.  You can do this two ways.  One is to take an empty gallon container of milk, rinse it out, and label it WATER, or you can buy a case of bottled water at your grocery store.

Gatorade*:  It is not a substitute for water, but it is definitely an important thing to have.  The electrolytes will keep you energized, and the sodium will replace that which was lost running through the woods.

Silicon Lube:  Mags are finicky creatures, but one squirt of lube usually corrects this.  Silicon is a great field tool, and is a great preventative measure against feeding problems.

Allen Wrench Set:  A lot of RIS accessories use some sort of allen wrench, and I always keep a little fold out set handy.

Phillips/Flat-head Screwdriver:  Another great tool for those times when your equipment is attached very tightly.  The flat-head also doubles as a way to help pry apart things.

Multi-tool:  It's good with at least a knife, screwdriver, and pliers, but its best with a file and bottle opener.

Electrical Tape:  Ah, yes, the airsofters best friend.  Good for strapping on that sight that won't fit on your rails.

Spare Batteries:  For radios, Red-Dot sights, NVG (for those lucky enough to own it), flashlights, and anything else that needs power.  Chances are, you'll run out of juice at some point.

Paracord:  Great for fixing broken straps and binding things

Matches:  Only in case you get stranded in a blizzard, do NOT use matches unless it is necessary for your survival or under the permission of the field owner/manager.

Binoculars:  They have better magnification than most rifle optics and are better for stalking or reconaisance.

Munchies*:  High-Calorie snacks are the best, they will keep you going for a long time.  Examples: Clif-bars, Nutri-grain bars, really, any type of bar that's not crammed with chocolate (that can dehydrate you)

Field Map:  These can usually be downloaded off of the field website or are available from the field manager.  They're good for long ops, and can help with the planning of major offensives and ambushes.  They're also handy if you get lost.

Compass:  A map is no good if you don't have a compass, and they can also assist you if you are lost.  For example, you know that you are south of the safe zone, but you don't know which direction is north.  A compass is a valuable asset.

Glow-Sticks:  Really only needed for night games, these can help players identify who is on their team and signal each other.  They also work well in foggy conditions.

Whistle:  Those of you who have taken hunter safety courses should know that three blasts on a whistle is the universal emergency signal.  Three blasts of a rifle is also considered a signal, but no one has that at an airsoft field.

Sunscreen:  While you may think you're getting a tan from all the sun, you're really increasing the chances of you getting skin cancer.  And don't think that just because you have a darker skin tone you're immune to sunburn.  I had a friend who came from West Africa who still got sunburn, sometimes even worse than me.

Mosquito Repellent:  Important for summer games, it literally makes you 'invisible' to a mosquito's eyes.  And it also helps protect against deadly ailments, such as West Nile virus.  I reccomend Off, the soothing skin type.  It's more comfortable to wear than your run-of-the-mill stuff.

Barrel Cleaning/clearing rod:  Every gun jams, some more than others.  It's a nice tool to have, and all the guns I've come across are equipped with some sort of cleaning rod.  Also, make sure that you have the proper oil and cloth to clean the gun with.

Soft Cloth:  Optics fog, and you'll need something to clean them with.  A soft cloth will work well.  Note:  do NOT use toilet paper/paper towel, I don't care how soft it is, underneath it all it's still from a tree.

Zip Strips:  Great for fixing that annoying pouch on your vest.  Also good for subdueing that hostage, if that's how you play.

Duct tape:  For those things electrical tape can't fix.  It is offered in many colors, including, but not limited to Silver, Green, Black, etc.

Blanket:  Something to cuddle with on that long drive home from a rainy, cold, and wet game.  You can also use it to treat shock or provide a workspace on a picnic table.

Cooler:  Water is best served cool, along with any other post-game beverage.  Also protects your food from pesky animals.

Super-Glue:  Glue thats super.  What else is there to say?  It's great for more permanent repairs that need to be made in the safe zone, such as re-attaching that piece of your M4's front sight.

Film Canisters:  For all those things you just can't find a pouch for.

Camera:  For taking pictures to record the event or to put in the loadouts thread.  I recommend you make a hard case for the camera out of a tough material.

Notebooks+pen or pencil:  to help you remember where the enemy is, or what you forgot to bring this game.

First Aid Kit/Medicine**: I’m willing to bet that most of the people on the forum have some sort of allergy.  That is why it is important to take some sort of medicine that you can use to counteract the effects of the allergen.  And even if you don’t, there is always the occasional injury.  I always keep a first aid kit handy, which includes:
*band-aids
*hydrocortisone ointment/antiseptic
*xopenex inhaler (helps my asthma)
*ibuprofen
*sterile wipes
*Lanacane/other itch reducer
*bandages for larger cuts or pressure bandages(not reccomended, use ONLY when being administered by a trained medical personnell.)
I also keep a phone with me in case there are any serious injuries that band-aids can’t fix.

Also, check up on the conditions of the playing field.  For example:
Weather: if it's raining, bring a rain jacket or poncho.  If it's cold, dress warm.  If it's hot, pack extra water.
Season: it's nice to have the right camo.  For summer, M81 woodland works great, but for winter, wrap yourself up in a white bedsheet to better camouflage yourself from the enemy.
Hunting: be wary if it's deer season. Check to make sure that hunters around your area know that you're playing games in the woods and don't mistake you for a big buck (or coyote, depending on the season).  It's also important to know who you're shooting at, as you may be engaging a hunter, not another airsoft player.  We've run into hunters several times, and while no serious incidences occured, we did have one player mistake a hunter for another player and attempt to engage him.  Fortunately, we were able to prevent him from opening fire upon the man.
Animal Conditions: check online for facts about your area.  Are there posinous snakes located by your playing area?  Are coyotes traveling around for food more often?  Have deer or larger herbivores moved into your playing field?  These are important things to know before leaving the safe zone, or better yet, home.

*Remember, if it goes in, it must come out, in some other shape or form.  Make sure that there are suitable facilities nearby.

**I do not take any responsibility for any injuries resulting from the use and/or misuse of any first aid treatment or medicine.  Only take the prescribed dose of medicine.  Remember: adequate care provided is better than perfect care with-held, and good Samaritan laws can protect you should you accidentally injure someone while administering emergency care.

Now, some of you are wondering how to carry all this stuff to the field.  Here's how I see it:
-Food goes in the cooler
-Ammo, mags, optics, etc. can be put into any sort of box, bag, so long as it's large enough
-You should only carry as much gear as you can wear (i.e, don't bring more than one kit)

In no way is this complete, so I am open to any suggestions.  I may have forgotten something, so feel free to give some input.

[Chaos_1.0]

Don't forget all important electrical tape.

[Cheesehead]

I'd add the following:

Multi tool, a screwdriver is nice, but even better when it has a knife, file, pliers, and post game beverage opener on it.
Spare batteries for everything, RDS, radio, flashlight, etc..
Glow Sticks, sometimes used to id teams in the dark, also handy to help people find you if you get lost.
Paracord for binding gear/securing things if a strap breaks.
Field map and compass

[Sungear]

paracord is great, also snacks (high calorie snacks are great to keep you going and don't worry about your figure, you're burning enough colories running around) I can't think of anything else that hasn't been mentioned

[WindowsXP]

You might want to include drinks similar to Gatorade under water because Gatorade has minerals and electrolytes that are also as important as water, especially when you are exerting yourself physically.

[Dmitri Molotov]

Flashlight: Even if you don't want to use it in combat it is necessary for night games (unless you have night vision). You don't want to trip at night.

[Sleeper001]

1.  Clearing Rod
2.  Cleaning Rag/ Soft brush to get the sand off your optics and wiping your goggles
3.  Duct Tape for those bigger jobs that elec tape cant handle, like broken stocks
4.  Black electrical tie wraps, great for quick repairs on web gear/ tac-vests
5.  I bring along an old mil wool blacket to cover the table if I have to work on anything.  Keeps the small peices from falling through the cracks and rusty nails from scratching my rifle.
6. Large cooler, keeps water/food cold and can doubles as table or a seat in a pinch
7.  Ditto, a good first aid kit, to handle large cuts/scrapes, sprains, twists, bumps to the noggin, and even to make a splint if nessessary, instant ice packs.

[edesotelle]

updated, thanks for all the input guys, I hope this makes it into the field manual.

[maverickmonk]

super glue. its one of the best things ever, use it to fix your gun, set a booby trap (if feild allows) or use it to seal any wounds or injuries. (Im super glued right now, shows how accident prone I am....)

Film canesters are great for holding bb's, or small parts while fixing a gun.

Notebook & paper, indespensible for taking notes on enemy troop movements. and things you forgot to bring to the game you should have brought...


editing to prevent reviving dead topic: Super glue only creates exess heat when bonded with certain plastics, for suturing wounds the heat wont reach a level that is noticable. My friend crushed his finger in a stack of 100lb weights, the doctor said if he hadnt glued it, it probobly would have been too damaged to save by the time he got to the hospital.

[edesotelle]

super glue creates heat when bonded, this would burn your skin if you used it to seal a flesh wound.  There is medical grade stuff, but its not the same as the stuff you use to glue that part of your gun back on.

[Silent Wolfe]

Camera: if you want to record the event, or use it during recon missions. I normally to that.

[oldman007]

What i bring to airsoft wars:
Gun
BBs
Shooting glasses
water
tshirt
shorts

[ryanm]

Also, beware of predatory creatures and bring creams, antivenin, or lanacane.

It is illegal to posses antivenom and antivenin in some states. It's also not a good idea to administer it unless you know what you are doing. Body weight, age, allergies, immune system conditions, heart conditions, contraindications from other medications, as well as the size, age, and species/subspecies of the snake all come into play, and you can kill someone by administering antivenin to someone who was not envenomated by the species (and in some cases the subspecies) the antivenin was developed for.

If you are bit by a snake in the field, you should:

1) Spot the snake. If possible, crush its head with the butt of your gun* and take it with you, but don't chase or wrestle with a large, venomous snake to do so. Take a picture if you have a camera phone on you and have the presence of mind to think of it, or at the very least, take note of it's distinguishing features: size, color, pattern, rattles/no rattles, etc. This is important for rapid treatment.

2) Get to a safe zone and go immediately to a hopsital.

Period. Do not try to treat it in the field. The stuff they taught us in Boy Scouts has been found to be wrong. Cutting open the bite and trying to suction the venom out is ineffectiove and usually causes more damage than it fixes. While it's true that most neurotoxins are harmless when ingested, sucking haemotoxins/cytotoxins into your mouth can be harmful to the good samaritan, won't help the bite victim at all, and is generally a bad idea.

Please don't include snake bite treatments of any sort in this guide. What probably shopuld be included, though, is a book of native venomous reptiles with pictures, for easy identification. To find a good book, check on Amazon for the "field guide to reptiles" series, thy are broken down by region (Texas, southeast, eastern US and Canada, etc).

*So you know, I keep and breed snakes, and do not condone killing them for no reason. When human life, and more often limbs, are at stake, however, that has to take priority over the snake. I have killed dozens of venomous snakes that ventured too close to where my children play, and have killed snakes in the field on 2 occasions to facilitate rapid treatment for someone who was bit. Having the actual animal on hand at the hospital allows the doctors to know exactly what type and how much venom was injected, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of treatment. Use extreme caution, though, because they will fight for their lives, and two envenomated people are twice as much work to carry out of the woods as one. Also, you can be envenomated by a dead snake, so put the dead animal in a bag or tupperware container or something for transport, to avoid accidentally envenomating yourself while handling it.

If anybody wants me to, I could post a field guide to venomous snakes of the US in the field guides section. How to identify them, what to do if you encounter one, what to do for a bite, etc.

ryanm

[DeltaForce777]

If anybody wants me to, I could post a field guide to venomous snakes of the US in the field guides section. How to identify them, what to do if you encounter one, what to do for a bite, etc.

ryanm

Please do!
It would be a great help for my friends and I, and everyone else here.
I do not want to lose a limb or see any of my friends lose a limb due to a snake bite that we could not treat. You could save alot of lives.

P.S. if its to much trouble to give us this info, its ok just give me the site(if it came from one) and ill have a look at it.
Thx

[Sleeper001]

super glue creates heat when bonded, this would burn your skin if you used it to seal a flesh wound.  There is medical grade stuff, but its not the same as the stuff you use to glue that part of your gun back on.

You've never accidentally glued your fingers together while making a repair with superglue?  It's never burned me before.  I would imagine it might sting to get it in an open would, but not burn.

On the subject of snakes, google your states forrest department, they'll have the most up to date info for your region.

[edesotelle]

You've never accidentally glued your fingers together while making a repair with superglue?  It's never burned me before.  I would imagine it might sting to get it in an open would, but not burn.

On the subject of snakes, google your states forrest department, they'll have the most up to date info for your region.

That information was what was given to me by a family member that's an paramedic.  I think that if exposed to an open wound, it would create a chemical burn of some sort, or create enough heat to damage the softer flesh on the inside of a wound.  But I don't know for certain, so thanks for the input.

Updated with respect to wild animals.


ATTN: MODS
I believe I've done all I can to this section to make it a good addition to the field manual.  I feel it's ready to go, but if there's any more info people would like to input, feel free to say so.

[Silent Wolfe]

This is my opinion:

- Maybe you should drop some of the side comments (Like the BAR and esp. the comment about Animals and white plastic death (referring to shooting animals?). Just leave it at "...pesky animals."
- (There are other unmentioned things that can be edited.)
- Also, some of us did not learn the "3 Blasts" in hunter's safety course...perhaps that needs to be fixed?
- When it comes to the part about hunters, maybe you should recommend stopping the game?

That's all I have to say. Otherwise, OK article, could be beefed out a little bit more (pretty basic), but it does the job.

[EmperorAGK]

Perhaps you should suggest something to carry and organize all of these things, like and assault pack or a ranger bag or something. I mean I carry a lot of these things, but I don't think any of us walk on the field carrying a heap of items or cram it in a cardboard box. I don't know. maybe something like that is too obvious. But I figured I'd suggest it.

[edesotelle]

Updated

[Silent Wolfe]

Updated

Thanks, mate. Looks more professional, now.