Maybe it’s your first Airsoft game. You’ve got your gear, you’ve picked out an awesome replica weapon. You’re anxiously ready to storm the battlefield looking to hunt down your first hit. Or perhaps you are sitting on your couch merely considering getting into the Airsoft sport. Whether you are stepping on the field for the first time, or you are just pondering, you may be wondering, “Does Airsoft hurt?”.
Airsoft does hurt. Airsoft BB hits can be painful or even cause injury. There are factors that can affect the amount of pain felt when you take a hit.
In order to get a clearer idea of whether Airsoft hurts or not, let’s explore some factors that have an influence. Keep in mind that although we will break each one down one by one, they can be factors that will often work together.
In this article we will discuss:
Pain Level is a Subjective Measurement
Let’s talk pain. It’s worth noting that pain sensitivity and tolerance measures differently from person to person. What one person may find “slightly annoying” in terms of pain, another may find it to be “agonizing”. So in short, what may feel like a 5/10 in scale for you may be 9/10 for another. There are additional factors such as gender, age, even stress levels that play a role in how sensitive you may be to pain. When the human body experiences injury, it responds by releasing natural painkillers called beta-endorphins throughout the body. These natural opioids dull the senses. Studies have shown that between genders, this release of beta-endorphins has been less in woman than in men. Regardless, gender is only one factor. Pain is relative, which in an of itself has its own set of factors. So, in regards to Airsoft, what feels like a little pinch to you may feel like a bee sting to another.
Factors That Make Airsoft Painful
Hit Location
Location, Location, Location. Just as in real estate, it’s all about location. The amount of pain you may feel will depend upon where you are struck by the BB. The softer tissues of the human body would be more susceptible to injury-causing pain. To say, if you were so unlucky enough to take a hit in your earlobe, it would be more painful than being hit in your arm. This is because the earlobe is softer tissue with little else beneath the skin. Whereas your arm will have fat and muscle acting as padding beneath the flesh. Also, the more sensitive the location, the more pain you will feel. Other sensitive areas that may be more painful than others include:
- Fingers and Knuckles
- Face
- Neck
- Ribs
- Groin
These areas tend to be more painful when hit because these areas have less padding (muscle and or fat beneath the tissue) to absorb the impact. It goes without saying but, some areas by default are more sensitive to BB impacts. An area such as the groin, is a good example. Good news is that with proper protective wear, you can minimize the impact when taking hits to these areas.
Distance, Velocity, and Weight
The measurements of Distance, Velocity, and Weight are factors that work together. Feet (or meters) is the unit of measure used to describe the Distance from the Airsoft shooter to the target. Feet per Second (or Meters per Second) is the unit of measure used to depict the velocity or power of an Airsoft weapon. The weight of an Airsoft BB measured in grams. Let’s assume you are hit by a .20g BB from a 300 FPS rated Airsoft weapon at a distance of 10 feet. It will hurt more from 10 feet than from getting shot by the same Airsoft weapon at a distance of 80 feet. This is because the BB loses momentum traveling at the same velocity over a larger distance. The result is the amount of impact is less.
What It Feels Like
Airsoft BB’s at close range can feel like a bee sting while hits made from a distance may feel like nothing more than a slight pinch which quickly goes away. Weapons with lower feet per second velocities can feel like a nothing at all. Getting hit is part of the sport. Once you get into Airsoft you will become used to most hits and may not even feel some of them. Good practices on the battlefield will also help prevent many potentially painful hits.
How to Make Airsoft Hits Less Painful
Wear Protective Gear
Protective gear is essentially the one item that can drastically change the effects that an Airsoft BB will have once it hits its target. The great thing is this is something you can control. While you may not be able to control the velocity of the weapon is shooting at you, you certainly can wear gear that covers your exposed skin to reduce the impact. When you are hit on bare skin, it is going to feel worse than getting hit while wearing clothing and gear. Not all gear may be required. It is required to wear eye protection in most fields. It is the best practice even when not required. Personally, I cannot attest to what it would feel like to be hit in the eye. I can imagine that it is highly painful given the nature of the eye being composed of soft tissue. If you have ever been accidentally getting poked in the eye, you probably know that it can hurt for a period of time. Here is a list of some recommended protective gear that can be used to lessen the effects of an Airsoft BB impact:
- Protective Eyewear or Full-Face Mask
- Helmet or Head Gear
- Gloves
- Lightweight Jacket
- Pants
- Closed Shoes (It should go without saying, but, I have seen people play in shorts and flip-flops)
The above-listed items will provide ample coverage from most hits right off the shelf. Select gear that is relative to your threshold for pain. If you have no issue taking Airsoft BB’s to the arms, you may choose to forego a lightweight jacket.
Playing Airsoft Strategically
Beginner Airsoft tactics can help you play more strategically and can help result in taking less hits.
Stay Moving
When in motion you are a much harder target to pinpoint that when you are stationary. Movement when combined with good cover, can greatly reduce the oppositions ability to make a solid hit.
Have Patience
Rushing in, guns blazing, can open you up to taking far more hits form the opposing team. Being patient and taking your time to think ahead can help reduce taking hits as well as keep you in the game which in turns keeps your team going.
Conclusion
Airsoft is an exciting, adrenaline-filled sport allowing you to get on the battlefield and knock off the opposing team. After you walk off the field you are off to your next meeting, appointment, activity, etc. At some point you’ve pondered, “Does Airsoft Hurt”. It really all boils down to some factors that will vary case by case. The factor of pain is relative. It varies from person to person. What may be a tickle to some may be agonizing to another. It may not be possible to control some of the factors. Putting aside all of the above factors, it really is not bad at all in my opinion. It can range from a momentary pinch that is just as quickly forgotten to a lingering bee sting. The good news is that you can protect yourself with protective wear and minimize the impact thus reducing any discomfort. Should you find yourself with welts from a game, check out another post I wrote on how to treat Airsoft welts quickly, located here.
See you out on the battlefield!
