Safety gear, what do you recommend?

[RangerXML]

Hey, greetings from your neighbors to the south...far south (SoCal). I browse this and a couple of other forums, but really like this one (good information, pictures and reviews). Anyways some friends and I are getting into airsoft. My main concern is safety, one of my friends works at the local ER and had a kid come in with injury to his eye from a drunken airsoft fight, the very definition of stupid. We all have eye gear, but I was concern with other vitals, namely face (nose and mouth) , throat, upper chest and since I'm an old guy mid and lower back (the back applies to a couple of us and is an issue of concern). I already have ballistic goggles and am planning on getting a cup, helmet, elbow and knee guards.

What gear to you guys recommend? Mainly planning on CQC/CQB and I was looking at something like a heavy jacket (with insert pockets for added protection) with high collar and loose fitting (any suggestions).

The helmet my friend was looking at and suggested is a Tactical/Seal helmet, but I made a commend about the large ventilation holes in it, should I be concerned?

[Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw]

First off, what kind of FPS limits do you guys play with down there? What about mercy limits?

Here in Ontario the standard for CQB games is 350 FPS. At those speeds exposed skin at 15 feet has a pretty good chance of causing a bleeder, or a really nasty welt.

You can wear a helmet if you choose, you can also play with a paintball mask that covers your entire face as well as your throat. If you play with a vest then that should provide enough protection. Even a thick sweater would be enough.

Just dont skimp out on your eye protection. Ballistic glasses are ok, but if you can get your hands on fully sealing eyewear then all the better. ESS are a popular choice. Knee and elbow pads are good, but not 100% necessary. And also get yourself a good pair of gloves, as nothing hurts more than a shot right on your knuckles.

[RangerXML]

Knee protection, like the back is a must. We have to be able to go back to work after wards. The eye protection is full, we value our vision. I also own a tac vest (radio, mags and side arm) and feels like something I don't want to test my back on, not to mention upper chest and neck. From FPS, we were looking at some CQC/CQB places that are an hour south of us that have limits between 300-400fps. Also one of the people has a ranch so some out doors once we get going. I have no idea about minimum engagement distances, nothing was mentioned on an of those places website, but it is a concern, same as coming up behind people.

[Silverthorn]

If you are concerned about really serious safety issues (not having bleeding skin ou marks on your skin) then you don't need much. Goggles and something to protect your teeth is pretty much all you will need. Wear thick clothing (no t-shirts and such) and you'll be fine.

I use a padded half-mask (like what snowboarders wear). It protect my neck and teeth. Not as safe as a full face mask or mouth protector but it does the job. As stated, you can also use a full face mask (safest) or a mouth protector like boxers (small but harder to speak with).

As for your back, there isn't much you can do. BBs won't hurt your back, falling or tripping will.

helmet : more or less useful. BBs on the head can sting a bit but nothing serious. I played for long with just the equivalent of a bandana on the head. Many play without anything on the head so a helmet with ventilation holes isn't a problem.

Elbow pads : have some, never turned out very useful yet except for crawling

Knee pads : useful but not often. Not a bad idea.

Cup : don't have one and will not get one. Never had a problem there. Might regret it some day but the pain will pass

Gloves : very very very useful. A BB on the finger hurts like hell. Not essential but a great buy.

[L473ncy]

.... 400 FPS for CQB????.... I wouldn't be playing there if I were you.

Shemagh/Keffiyah around your neck should protect your neck. If the field allows get a Sykes mask, nice low profile full face protection. There's also the "save phace" masks that I've seen and they seem to be really nice low profile too (low profile = you can use your sights).

As for back... I dunno I guess like a brace or something might help to relieve stress if you're doing "tacticool" rolls.

Kneepads.... Yeah I guess if you're doing CQB. Nothing worse than a BB in the knee if you crouch in the wrong place in an indoor field.

[Jimski]

it's going to sound silly, but regularly doing push-ups and dips will protect your back in case of slipping on something.

[Cpl T. Syndrome]

I also suggest a good pair of boots..Something sturdy,light and comfortable with high ankle support.Nothin can wreck a great day like a torn or busted ankle.Spend the money on these, cheap boots are cheap boots.Also good footwear helps with the back.For indoor I usually wear a "hoody" under my cami's hood down, it'll protect the back of the neck. Shemagh to protect the front of the neck. Some guys wear track/fleece pants as an under layer as well, could be a little warm for where you are but it adds protection. I only wear 1 knee pad but thats my preference. Gloves are a must, look for a padded or armoured pair. As far as eye/face protection, get yourself a set of paintball goggles with mask attachment. Some even come with flares to protect the ears. I wear a baseball hat backwards for head protection, it's enough that bb's wont break skin, helmets can sometimes interfere with goggles/masks so I don't wear em. Oh, and don't forget to stretch well before you play!!! Why you ask?..If you don't you'll know why

[Swatt Six-Four]

I may have missed if it was mentioned earlier but I have seen guys in a CQB area have paintball masks with everything cut away except the cow catcher in the front covering the teeth and lips. They said they it kept the mask from keeping too much heat in. How ever is sounds like your working in a profesional enviroment so maybe even try one of the neoprene facemask to protect your skin. Me I just wear goggles but if I take a hit it would probaly make me look better lol

[coach]

Originally Posted by Jimski

it's going to sound silly, but regularly doing push-ups and dips will protect your back in case of slipping on something.

first thing I always tell people when they complain of a sore back is, 'go do some sit ups'.

basically maintaining or working the abs helps eliminate back problems as it help take the stress off your back muscles. both your back and abs work together to stabilize your core. when one goes weak or gets injured, the other has to compensate.

[RangerXML]

LOL, two of us have back injuries and knee injuries, no combat rolls for us.

Looks like I'll go with Shemagh, King Arms Neoprene Half Face Protector Mask, my goggles and a baseball cap. I was looking at the snowboarding, looked flat out to warm and the motor cycle ones looked like I couldn't turn my head. Looking around for some other items right now, but internet is slowing to snails crawl.

[KND]

You should get a good glove which is Oakley or Oakley replica, then you will thanks me a lots for that. I got hit about 10 feet on my pinky, it's about 2 months already but it's still hurt while I move it.

KND

[ILLusion]

Originally Posted by RangerXML

I was looking at the snowboarding, looked flat out to warm

What do you think the King Arms half face neoprene face mask is? It's exactly the same thing.

Well... unless you were looking at the polar fleece type of winter sports masks. In that case, yeah, they will be hot as hell.

Skiers and snowboarders use the neoprene masks as well.

[RangerXML]

I see which ones your talking about, look just like the King Arms, except the King Arms one has the nose hooking down to protect the opening. A friend has Oakleys for riding his motorcycle wicked gloves.