Paintball is a thrilling sport, but it can leave you with some pretty nasty bruises. Fortunately, there are several tips and tricks that you can use to minimize your chances of getting bruised while playing paintball. Wearing the right clothing and protective gear to adjust your stance and grip on the gun.
These tips will help you stay safe without sacrificing any of the fun. With a little preparation and practice, you’ll be able to enjoy paintball without worrying about painful bruises later!
The Difference Between Paintball Bruises And Welts
Bruises are caused by blunt-force trauma to the body, while welts come from sharp impacts. Therefore, one of the best ways to prevent bruising is to wear protective clothing and gear that can absorb the impact of paintballs without causing major damage.
Look for items like padded jackets and pants, chest protectors, elbow pads, and head gear that can help cushion the blows. When it comes to the gun, make sure you have a good grip on it so that it doesn’t slip out of your hands and cause injury.
How They Occur And What To Expect:
Paintball bruises are the result of small paintballs impacting your skin. The impact of a paintball is similar to being hit with a rubber ball and can cause red or purple bruising that may last for several days.
In some cases, the area around the bruise may swell up and become tender to the touch. In general, paintball bruises are not serious and should go away on their own in a few days.
How To Treat Paintball Bruises And Wounds
Although paintball bruises and welts will generally heal on their own, there are some things you can do to help the healing process. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area for 10–20 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and ease any pain or discomfort.
You should also keep the bruised area clean and dry, and if you have any open wounds, make sure to use a sterile bandage to keep them covered. Finally, it’s best to avoid activities that may aggravate the bruised area until it has healed completely.
1. Warm Compresses
If the bruise or welt is still sore a day or two after the injury, applying a warm compress may help. You can make a simple compress by soaking a clean cloth in hot water and then gently pressing it to the affected area for 10–15 minutes at a time. This can help reduce pain and speed up healing.
2. Keep the Mask On!
One of the most important tips for preventing paintball bruises and welts is to always keep your mask on while playing. Paintballs travel at high speeds and can cause serious injury if they hit exposed skin, so make sure to wear your protective gear at all times.
3. Stay Away From Direct Hits:
The best way to avoid getting hit by a paintball is to stay out of direct lines of fire. Try to stay behind the cover as much as possible, and remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry!
4. Practice Good Gun Control:
Make sure you have a good grip on your gun at all times, and be careful not to point it at anyone while you’re playing. This will help prevent accidental injuries that can lead to bruising or worse.
5. Stay Hydrated:
Staying well hydrated is another important tip for avoiding paintball bruises and welts. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day and take regular breaks to rest and refuel.
6. More Layers, Less Pain:
Wearing a variety of clothes is the best way to avoid bruises and lessen the pain when a paintball strikes you. Adding more layers of clothing can help you stay safe while playing paintball. It can reduce the chances of paintballs leaving bruises.
Also, always make sure to check the weather and wear the clothes accordingly because adding a number of layers of clothes can cause suffocation in the summer and, in the most severe climates, can cause heat strokes as well.
7. Stay in the Pack:
You will be wondering why we are suggesting you stay in the pack. In fact, try to stay in the middle of the pack to protect yourself from paintballs. Whenever you’re playing, try to stick close to your teammates. This will help keep you safe from getting any bruises during the game.
8. Complete Gears:
Make sure you have all the necessary protective gear before heading out on the field. You need to have a strong knowledge of each piece of equipment, why you need it on the field, and how to equip it during the game. There is a lot of gear available with paintball guns, like a face mask, chest protector, elbow pads, knee pads, and headgear, that can protect you from getting bruises and welts.
9. Camo and Sneakiness:
Using camouflage clothing and staying low can also help you avoid paintball injuries. Although this technique is mainly used during long ranges, wearing camouflage and multiple layers of clothes can help you avoid getting bruises.
You can also try to stay out of direct lines of fire and move quickly to cover whenever possible during the game to reduce the chances of getting hit by a paintball. The less time you spend exposed on the field, the less likely you are to get hit by a paintball!
10. Be Prepared:
Finally, always be prepared for the possibility of getting bruised while playing paintball because you can’t escape the heavy shooting of paintballs in the field. Have a first-aid kit in case of an emergency, and make sure you or someone from your team knows how to properly treat any injuries that may occur during the game.
How Long Does It Take Paintball Bruises And Wounds To Heal?
You may be wondering how long it takes to recover from paintball bruises now that you know how to avoid them. In general, paintball bruises and welts should not take more than a week to heal, and in most cases, within a few days, they should be healed.
If your bruise or welt lasts longer than that, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, and you should seek medical help. Also, welt wounds heal faster than bruises, sometimes within a few days, but on the other hand, bruises can take weeks.
How Much Do Paintballs Hurt?
The intensity of pain experienced when hit with a paintball is different, and it varies from person to person. There is no universal rule or scale to determine how much it hurts. Paintball markers are made of gelatin-filled capsules and fired at 240 feet per second, which can result in some stinging sensations on impact.
However, newer technology has made paintballs less painful and more comfortable to play with. Generally, the level of pain is dependent on several factors, including the distance between the shooter and the target, the type of gun the shooter is using, and the type of paintball being fired. At close range, a paintball can feel similar to getting
By following the above tips, you can reduce the chances of getting bruised or welted while playing paintball and enjoy a safer and more enjoyable game.
Remember that paintball is not without risks, so it’s important to always wear the appropriate safety gear before going out to the field. We recommend checking out our best paintball vests, guns, and masks to use in 2023.