FAQs about Paintball

What is Paintball?
Paintball is a game in which players use compressed-gas-powered guns (sometimes called paintball markers) to shoot each other with small balls of encapsulated gelatin. When these paintballs break, they leave a brightly-colored mark, about the size of a quarter, signifying that the player is eliminated from the game.

Is paintball safe?
According to a study done by The National Injury Information Clearinghouse of
the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington D. C. through use of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, paintball is the safest sport in the world. With only 1 injury per 4,000 players, paintball is statistically safer than golf or bowling. \

Do I need any special equipment?
The basic gear for a game of paintball includes a paintball gun with an air source (either CO2 or N2) and a hopper, goggles and paint. Most fields can rent all the gear you need for a small fee.

Can I buy paint at the field?
At the field, you can purchase paint by the box (2000 rounds) or the bag (500 rounds). Many fields require “Field Paint Only,” (FPO). If a field has a “BYOP” (“Bring Your Own Paint”) policy, you can purchase paint at your local paintball pro shop or a mass market sporting goods retailer.

What are paintballs made of?
Paintballs are manufactured from a non-toxic, water-soluble and biodegradable mixture of dye and vegetable oil inside a spherical gelatin capsule.

Can you eat paintballs?
Eating paintballs is harmless, but they don’t taste very good.

Do paintball splats stain?
Simple answer, no. Hits wipe easily off your clothing and skin, and any residue left on your clothes comes out in the wash. They also wash off trees and grass after a rain shower.  

How much does paintball cost?
Experienced players spend thousands of dollars on their gear and often travel across the country to high-profile games, spending a fortune in gas or airline tickets, hotels and food for the road.
But paintball doesn’t have to be that expensive. For a full day of recreational play, expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $100 for a case of paint, $20 to $40 for registration, and another $10 or so if you need rental gear. Prices vary widely by region.
Depending on how much paint you shoot and prices at your local field, you should plan to spend anywhere from $50 - $150 for the day, in total.

Do I need a team to play?
Absolutely not. You can show up at your local field alone or with a few friends and the referee will put you on a side for the game. Chances are, you’ll make friends throughout the day.
In fact, that is how many paintball teams start; walk-on players see the same people every weekend and, before they know it, they begin working together on the field. From there, it doesn’t take much to give your small group a name and become a team. 

How long do games last?
Games can last anywhere from one minute for intense speedball games, to 26 hours for a weekend-long scenario event. An average recreational game in the woods lasts between 15 minutes to an hour. A typical game played on a tournament-style field lasts about three to ten minutes.