Are Bruises from Paintballs Dangerous?

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Are Paintball Bruises Dangerous?

Paintball is a safe game, for the most part. But since it involves shooting paintballs at an opponent, there are risks of minor injuries like bruises and welts. This can happen to anyone if you are not dressed properly for the sport.

When you get hit by a paintball, does it actually hurt? This is the most common question that beginners ask. Yes, a paintball can hurt, but the severity of the pain depends on several factors such as, the distance the shooter is from you, the kind of paintball it is, and how you are dressed. Referees enforce safety standards and rules during the games to reduce injuries.

A Paintball Can Causes Bruises

You will definitely know when you have been hit with a paintball. It will feel like a sharp sting. The pain is minor in most cases and doesn’t feel like much while you are in the game experiencing an adrenaline rush.

After the game, you will notice a bruise and/or welt. At that point, pain may set in. At Paintball USA there are first aid remedies we offer to our guests.  https://www.paintballusa.org/

Treatment Options for Healing Paintball Welts and Bruises

  • Wash the bruised area with soap and water.
  • Apply an ice pack to the affected area to reduce swelling.
  • Use a topical antiseptic spray to soothe the injury.
  • Keep the welt elevated if possible.
  • Alternate ice with warm compresses to keep blood circulation.
  • Take a pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil.
  • Apply a band aid or wrap around bandage.

How long do paintball bruises stay? In general, welts heal faster than a bruise. Welts gradually disappear in a couple of days. Bruises go away in about a week or two.

Protective Gear is Key to Prevent Welts and Bruises

Paintball USA rental packages include thick safety vests chest protectors for starters. Jeans and tee shirts may be your choice of wear, however, for paintball games, thick sweats not only add extra padding between you and a paintball, they provide more comfort when taking cover behind the bunkers. https://www.paintballusa.org/about/paintball-facts

Wearing a sweatshirt or other thick clothing will usually prevent bruising. Fingers need protection. Wear some tight-fitting cloth gloves. Necks are the most painful location for bruises and welts. Bandannas and scarves around the neck are highly advisable. To stay cool in summertime, wet down your neck protection with cold water from your ice chest in between games.

The intensity of welts will decrease with every layer of clothing between bare skin and paintball, as well as a range of other factors. It is recommended to wear as many layers of clothing as weather will permit.

A Hit on Bare Skin Definitely Hurts

If a paintball breaks on bare skin, you will most certainly feel it and it does hurt. It can be even worse if the paintball bounces off and doesn't break. However, this can be avoided if you wear the right clothes.

Wear gloves to protect your hands since they are the body part closest to your opponent and very vulnerable to an impact. Hats protect your head. Long-sleeve shirts and pants will help protect your arms and legs. 

Paintball safety battle masks are required. These are included with all rental packages at Paintball USA. The mask lenses are made of a sturdy, plexiglass material so your face is fully protected.

Common Paintball Injuries

Minor injuries include cuts, welts, and bruising. Players can also sprain or twist their ankles running on paintball playing fields or suffer shortness of breath when shot in the throat. More serious injuries include head and ear injuries.

The most major violation at Paintball USA is removing your face mask during a game. You can be expelled from the game for this. Paintballs can cause blindness and loss of sight when hit with one in the eye. https://www.paintballusa.org/about/rules-of-play-for-valued-patrons

Keep Your Gun from Shooting Hot

The most common cause of severe bruising comes from guns that are shooting hot, meaning the paintball is traveling too fast and at a high velocity. The referees at Paintball USA will chronograph all rental and personal guns. Rental guns are adjusted to 260 feet per second. Personal guns are adjusted to 280 feet per second. Paintball USA enforces the gun’s velocity throughout the day.

A severe bruise can also be the result of getting hit from a close distance. The range rule at Paintball USA stands at; never shoot a player that is closer than 10 feet away from you. The longer the paintball is in the air, the more time it has to slow down. Getting hit by a close-range shot will cause quite a bit of pain, which is not fun.