Basic safety precautions in Airsoft...

There is nothing worse that getting hurt, whilst trying to have some fun. We therefore suggest that, in addition to the following, you also read our section on first aid.

Therefore, all Airsoft skirmish sites have some safety rules that you must obey. I've reproduced a couple of the main ones below, with an additional one of my own.

	NEVER, EVER, take these models into a public place. Since they look very much like real-world firearms, there's a better than even chance you could find youself on the wrong end of a Police Firearms Reponse Team. Obvously, this is something to be avoided! A safe place to use and/or play with your models is one where the public do not have ready access, such as private land, or a building, where permission of the landowner has been sought, and granted, for Airsoft gaming. In other words, a place where the Police won't be called to as it's a recognised site for Airsoft skirmishing, and thus a place where the greater public will not be caused concern for their safety. Personally, I think the only correct place to use your Airsoft models is at a properly organised skirmishing site. There are quite a few of these around the UK, and a quick visit to The UK Airsoft Map should help you find them. Remember: Better safe, than sorry!
	Always, when out of the designated safe areas, wear your eye protection. While in most normal circumstances, an Airsoft round to the eye is damned painful, and could well bruise your eye, it could do more damage, if up close and personal.
	Pyrotechnics (or 'Pyro') are a common feature in the game, from smoke grenades, to relatively harmless 'bb grenades'. Never the less, as these are classed as fireworks, always use them with care, read the label and follow the instructions there, and always, always, obey the instructions of site staff, who may well have additional rules for the use of pyro on any given day (by the way, according to the The Carriage of Explosives by Road Regulations 1996, when you're moving these things around on the roads, you must display a HazMat warning symbol, at the very least (similar to the image to the left), which must be at least four inches square!)
	Making your models safe: When you enter a safe zone, you MUST remove the magazine (if fitted), and clear the model. To clear your model, deliberately aim the model in a safe direction AWAY from the safe area, such as a puddle of water, thick grass, or straight up in the air, then fire off three or four shots. This should clear any rounds left in the feed line, thus making the model safe. Do NOT replace the magazine, until you leave the safe area again!
	Lastly, and a pet hate of mine, is a new 'feature' that some players in the game are using, is the use of laser aiming aids. This is where I disagree with many who advocate their use. DO NOT use them. There is no DEFINITE proof that they are harmless when shined into the eye. Until a verifiable medical study is published on this subject, I cannot, and will not, advocate the use of these potentially harmful devices, despite what others (who are invariably NOT medically trained) say.

You might also wish to invest in a first aid kit for yourself. Regarding what you should include in it, my thoughts are here.

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