From the March 1 edition of the Register-News
By:
Paintball play
requires precautions
To the editor:
Paintball is one of the fastest growing sports in America. It was first invented as an adult sport in 1981. The object of the game is to capture the opposing team’s flag and bring it back to home base without being hit by your opponent.
As its popularity increases, more children are playing with paintball guns. These guns cannot be sold to anyone under 18 years of age. Parents are buying their children paintball guns as a form of recreation.
Paintball games can be a very dangerous sport unless adequate protection and supervision is taken. Injuries can occur when proper precautions are not followed. Safety is always stressed when purchasing a paintball gun.
When a player is shot with a paintball pellet, he feels a stinging pain, which usually subsides within a few seconds. The closer the opponent, the higher the velocity of the pellet, the more pain is inflicted.
Goggles should be worn to protect the eyes and face. Ophthalmologists are seeing an alarming increase in eye injuries. Injuries to the eye can be temporary such as blurred vision or permanent blindness. State health officials do not track paintball injuries.
Precautions should always be taken to prevent injuries. Always wear protective gear, especially goggles, and never shoot anyone at close range.
What originally started as a harmless game, has turned into a dangerous sport. Think before you buy your child a paintball gun. Take proper precautions and never let your child play unsupervised.
Natalie Glodack
Columbus