We have comprehensively touched injuries and First Aid 6 years ago here, and it is something that we never tire of --- reminding people of safety and being prepared for eventualities. Airsoft is an extreme activity that even if precautions by game organizers and game site owners are put into place and all the protective gear used by the players, there is still the possibility of accidents that can cause minor to severe injuries.

With that realization, it is paramount to be always prepared: as the injured player, airsoft player, marshal, and game site owner. Everyone has a role to play to make sure that the affected person gets immediate treatment.

Thumpy's 3-D House of Airsoft sent us a link to a video of an accident that happened at Hotshots Airsoft taken by the Black Blood Regiment Milsim and we actually admire the female player for putting up a brave face with her injury. Below the video is his commentary on the incident:

THUMPY WARNING: There is a REAL WORLD INJURY in this video...just know this going in.

We ONLY post this because the BLACK BLOOD REGIMENT MILSIM guys did a great job of protecting this player's identity...but also because we feel this is a real CALL TO ACTION as more players prepare to hit the field, to BE PREPARED FOR REAL LIFE EMERGENCIES. 

PLAYERS....do you know your field's EMERGENCY PROCEDURES? How to get help, how to do first aid if needed?

One thing we DID SEE, was no Personal Protective Equipment used by the first responders (gloves, old first aid kit) before medics arrived.

FIELDS and EVENT OWNERS: ARE YOU PREPARED?  Cuts, Bruises, Fainting/Unconsciousness, Heat or Cold causalities are a possibility every time players take your field.  Do you have a PLAN in place, probably required by your insurance or local permitting agencies if you are a public venue.  IS THAT PLAN AND YOUR GEAR UP TO DATE?

Use this as a starting point for your discussions at Safety Briefings this week/weekend no matter where you are.  Safety...and BEING PREPARED....is the responsibility of everyone in the game!

THUMPY...OVER!

The first thing to realize is that we can never be too prepared for any situation. As airsoft players, we always emphasize on not skimping on protective gear and we only the buy the best our budgets can buy, even if it means it's going to be more expensive than our airsoft guns. Apart from that, we always take heed what the game organizers say to us in terms of safety precautions since they know the game area better than us.

Our next responsibility is knowledge about First Aid and having a basic First Aid Kit always in our gear. We can never tell when we are going to need it to either treat other players, or ourselves if we are conscious to administer it to ourselves. Please take the opportunity to attend First Aid Seminars as there are free seminars offered by First Responders or by the local Red Cross. And we always give a reminder to ourselves to take refresher seminars every year. First Aid, usually assigned to Field Medics, should always be a task that any airsoft player can do when there's no immediate assistance available. It will count a lot. If there's a lack of seminars, there are many resources online such as The Family Doctor.

Game organizers have to have a checklist for safety and having liability insurance, which many airsoft players will look for. In case liability insurance cannot be availed off, waivers should be the next option. Even with these "safeguards" for the game organizer, it is still mandatory that they should have First Aid-trained Marshals and must not give a green light for a game to commence if there is none around. It is also important to equip Marshals with First Aid Kits and communications tools. Having a more comprehensive kit at the Safe Zone and updated contact information of First Responders and Ambulance Services posted on the wall where everyone can see should be at the top of the checklist.

Risky/unsafe areas in the game zone should be cordoned off and signs put into place warning players not to proceed to those areas.

Best of all, learn what are the immediate threats in the game zone such as insects (bees hornets), plants such as Poison Ivies, and animals and reptiles that airsoft players should be aware of. Knowing the terrain will also help the game organizer and the player prepare what should be prioritized in the First Aid Kit.

It is always best to be prepared for any eventuality since everyone wants to get home safe and sound. Thus, being able to respond smartly to accidents and injuries is important in airsoft games.