Wildlife and Terrain Hazards

Because airsoft games are most often played in natural surroundings, animals can often interfere with these games and potentially be hazardous. In the Southwestern United States, snakes offer one of the most significant threats, especially the potentially deadly Diamondback rattlesnake.

Many games in California institute a "snake call", whereby players have to yell "snake" when one is encountered to mark the location and warn other players. After a snake has been identified, that section of the field may be marked as out-of-bounds and or the marshall will be called to relocate the snake.

As always, ticks and other biting insects are also present. It is also important to watch out for poison ivy and other plants which typically cause allergies.

Whether in natural or built-up urban terrain, airsoft players can be subject to injury from terrain features such as slippery surfaces, steep slopes or heights, falls or trips, collisions with unseen obstructions, snags and sharpened objects, and even noxious substances (animal droppings, etc.).

Scratches, cuts, bruises, concussions, and sprains, plus a few broken bones can easily occur in this type of activity. This is another reason for the need for military-style protective gear such as head and neck armor, all-terrain boots, thickened gloves, knee and elbow pads, and full-length rugged attire. Airsoft players must be careful when running rapidly as well as moving hastily in the dark to avoid injury from such hazards.

Airsoft isn't particularly dangerous unless the weapon fires around 750fps. In the UK a limit of 370fps (for AEGs) has been determined by the Home Office.

Anything over this is then classed as an Air Gun, and as such is ILLEGAL to use against another person as this then constitutes Assault. At normal power levels (c. 328-350fps) the hit will only sting for a while. Airsoft can be a very dangerous sport if you are not wearing the right equipment.

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