Word of warning - serious eye wound in safe zone

[rosco290]

In game if somebody Joe public walks a dog on field or anywhere near us, guns down well in front of us

That's another thing we found odd. At one point there were two guys in a field well within range of a lot of the guns being used and it all just carried on like they weren't there. Theres no fence around some parts of the site, how would it go if someone injured a non player by accident?

 

[rosco290]

Isnt Absolute Airsoft the lot that runs Blitz CQB as well? After the comments on that particular thread this is hardly great advertising.

Not sure about this but they haven't had the best reviews on previous threads on here. Tried to go there with an open mind but they weren't up to the same standard as other sites I've played at.

 

[skarra333]

We have to all get some kind of perspective here though, this is the first instance of this kind of thing I've heard of happening at an airsoft site. Considering how many games happen every week and how many players there are the chances of this happening are very slim, standing in an airsoft 'safe' zone is still safer than skateboarding and no one is suggesting we ban skateboards.

The only reason this will be 'bad for the sport' is if airsofters do their normal sh*t of getting on their moral high horses of wanting to 'save the sport' that's so desperately under threat from f*cking NO ONE. We are so off the radar of anyone with any real influence it's not even possible to describe it, a quick read of the Policing and Crime bill draft will show you how little our dark conservative overlords care.

http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/13341251.Skateboard_ban_call_after_woman_s_arm_broken_in_Bournemouth_Square_collision/

And we should not downplay the potential significance of this incident. This happened in Maidenhead, yeah? Who is MP for Maidenhead - the person who gets crazy folks turning up at constituent surgeries moaning? The Home Secretary Teresa May is.

 

[jcheeseright]

guess what, you can't play airsoft in bournemouth square either.

 

[oddjob]

i was at a site not long ago and was in the safe zone for lunch

the marshals just came back all of a sudden click and bang on the wall that i was laying on few inches away from my head

the marshals went mad and kick them off site

came over and check if me and the table was ok and they moaned all day about it

it is scary how easy people get carried away with looking at guns and not actually checking properly

i think that glasses should be worn all the time now this has happened

 

[NickM]

It really isn't that hard to have a no dry firing or mags in the safe zone rule and therefore no requirement for people to wear EyePro in the safezone. The issue seems to be a series of basic safety rules waren't enforced in this situation and possibly one of the worst outcomes has resulted. Fingers crossed for the kid with the eye injury that his situation improves, and the kid that pulled the trigger will need some serious counselling because of a fraction of a second and a stupid decision.

I have been concerned in the past with the behaviour of some in the safe zone but a site that are on it like they should be deal with this before it becomes a situation. It's very easy to take ownership and tell people not to do stuff yourself (I'm a teacher so "the look" and telling off comes as second nature now) and if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself speaking to the marshals and they should sort it out.

A simple chat with new players by organisers about general gun safety takes seconds, a simple rule about no pulling triggers and no mags in the safe zone. Players there raising concerns about safety as dry firing was happening and should have been stopped prior to it getting this far. IE instilling a sense of responsibility for everyones safety by every player.

Any or all of these things would have changed the result of this.

 

[rosco290]

The only reason this will be 'bad for the sport' is if airsofters do their normal sh*t of getting on their moral high horses of wanting to 'save the sport' that's so desperately under threat from f*cking NO ONE. We are so off the radar of anyone with any real influence it's not even possible to describe it, a quick read of the Policing and Crime bill draft will show you how little our dark conservative overlords care.

That's my view on it. Bad for absolute airsoft, more than likely. For Airsoft overall, No.

 

[Sitting Duck]

We have to all get some kind of perspective here though, this is the first instance of this kind of thing I've heard of happening at an airsoft site. Considering how many games happen every week and how many players there are the chances of this happening are very slim, standing in an airsoft 'safe' zone is still safer than skateboarding and no one is suggesting we ban skateboards.

The only reason this will be 'bad for the sport' is if airsofters do their normal sh*t of getting on their moral high horses of wanting to 'save the sport' that's so desperately under threat from f*cking NO ONE. We are so off the radar of anyone with any real influence it's not even possible to describe it, a quick read of the Policing and Crime bill draft will show you how little our dark conservative overlords care.

I'm not getting on any morale high horse but it could be prevented from happening again however rare and isolated this incident

Not for one single minute saying marshals can ease up if no guns in safe zone

Imagine for one split second it was one of your own or a m8, or come to that it was a totally innocent player that got his eye shot out

Yes it is wise to always wear some form of eye protection at all times, same as seal belt fastened on a plane at all times

but in real word I think many - myself included have not always followed all safety aspects 101% and could of in extreme rare cases caused damage

As more "idiots" discover airsoft and it grows the chances will increase - yeah suppose sites/players will be extra vigilant for a little while

but this incident could be repeated one day and that is not going to be good for poor victim - screw the sport safety crusade

That could be my eye or my kids eye - f*ck the airsoft image

Yes some eye-pro on at all times does seem wise - anything is better than nothing

I just didn't fully understand how it could happen - but I guess I foolishly thought all players took safety seriously

Which I still is the case but many of us have made the odd boo-boo or mistake if we are honest but thankfully no harm, but no excuse all the same

Human error can still happen and think I will be looking at some safety specs now - even though now n then I don't always wear them when I'm doing stuff like DIY etc.....

soz not getting on my high horse - but I will climb down from my little pony and get some specs instead

 

[jcheeseright]

most players DON'T take safety seriously, which is the #1 reason my eyepro stays on.

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

Few knee jerk reactions on this but lets get things into perspective.

Every week there are severe accidents in this country in a range of sporting/hobbie/game activities but this is the first major one in airsoft I have heard of so I would say airsoft has a good track record. This will only cause issues if people start shouting about it and trying to take the moral high ground.

Glasses in the safe zone is a bit too much but the sock idea isn't a bad one.

Cheap to implement and easy to enforce and is already done in some places abroad.

Accidents happen and will always happen if people act stupid.

 

[Sitting Duck]

Accidents happen and will always happen if people act stupid.

People are stupid = accidents will happen I guess

 

[jcheeseright]

Few knee jerk reactions on this but lets get things into perspective.

Every week there are severe accidents in this country in a range of sporting/hobbie/game activities but this is the first major one in airsoft I have heard of so I would say airsoft has a good track record. This will only cause issues if people start shouting about it and trying to take the moral high ground.

Glasses in the safe zone is a bit too much but the sock idea isn't a bad one.

Cheap to implement and easy to enforce and is already done in some places abroad.

Accidents happen and will always happen if people act stupid.

I don't think anyone's suggesting glasses in the safe zone be compulsory, that'd be a proper pain in the ass for sites to administer.

I can certainly recommend wearing some comfortable low profile eye protection in the safe zone though, better safe than sorry!

 

[Jedi_Master]

Maybe the kid or his parents could sue the site for negligence but forget massive amounts of money though I'm sure injury laywers 4 you but we will take 40% of your settlement will do their utmost to screw everyone over

If anybody was running a site, wouldn't they be seriously reviewing their safety issues after this ???

Absolute Airsoft - "We are fully insured and are a UKARA registered site. All of our sites have some of the best facilities you will find in a woodland site making your gaming day a lot more pleasurable. All staff are friendly and professional and have over 40 years of airsoft experience."

I have signed a liabilty waiver at several sites but cannot remember what the waiver does and does not cover. Suppose it depnds on where the negligence lies and how much each party is at fault.

 

[James1989]

I would rather there wasnt a blanket rule for eyepro enforced as a glasses wearer it can get pretty uncomfortable to be in eye pro all day. The entire game is about respect for the rules (calling hits, minimum safe distance, wearing eyepro in the field, no dry firing in the safe zone, not being a knob, etc.) It would be a real shame if some blanket ban or rules come into play when enforcing the current rules well would suffice.

 

[Sacarathe]

I would rather there wasnt a blanket rule for eyepro enforced as a glasses wearer it can get pretty uncomfortable to be in eye pro all day. The entire game is about respect for the rules (calling hits, minimum safe distance, wearing eyepro in the field, no dry firing in the safe zone, not being a knob, etc.) It would be a real shame if some blanket ban or rules come into play when enforcing the current rules well would suffice.

To be fair, we've not actually any evidence that the gun was dry fired (a deliberate and voluntary act) we only know that I gun was discharged while pointed at another persons face, in a safe zone.

Being a springer, I suppose its possible it went off on its own, or was knocked during handling(?).

 

[ImTriggerHappy]

I don't think anyone's suggesting glasses in the safe zone be compulsory, that'd be a proper pain in the ass for sites to administer.

A few people are leaning in that direction on this thread.It would be impossible to enforce because a lot players wear face masks so you would have to provide an extra safe zone to change eyepro.

Still easier than a gunzone and safezone though that would never work. I am not leaving my gun alone because frankly I don't trust anyone not mess around with it. I have had a couple of instances including someone test firing it in the regen and was about to take it out for a go when I left it as I was using knife only so now it stays near me as much as possible.

I do think the sock idea is good one a lot of sites in the US have that rule and it would be easy to implement.

I also think sites should be more proactive in dealing with safety infractions.

 

[Samurai]

I have signed a liabilty waiver at several sites but cannot remember what the waiver does and does not cover. Suppose it depnds on where the negligence lies and how much each party is at fault.

Those are not there to protect you. Those are to protect the site from you, so you can't sue them.

 

[Sacarathe]

Those are not there to protect you. Those are to protect the site from you, so you can't sue them.

Yep, and while I might not convince a court that I hadn't consented to be shot while wearing eye pro or in the designated game zone, I'd bet I'd succeed if I was shot in the safe zone. That doesn't mean there was a crime, only that the perpetrator couldn't argue consent, or an accepted risk by a victim.

EDIT:

royally ballsed up the logic in this post.

 

[rosco290]

To be fair, we've not actually any evidence that the gun was dry fired (a deliberate and voluntary act) we only know that I gun was discharged while pointed at another persons face, in a safe zone.

Bring a springer, I suppose its possible it went off on its own, or was knocked during handling(?).

I can't remember if I posted this or not but I spoke with guy who fired the gun for quite a while after it happened basically trying to calm him down while my mate stayed with the injured guy.

He told me he'd pulled the trigger. From the result it must have been pointed at the lads face. Maybe the full story will come out, maybe it won't.

Ultimately the guy who pulled the trigger is at fault but I believe if the marshals had been on top of all the dry firing in the safe zone from the off then this may have been prevented. Additionally if they'd been a bit more on top of clearing guns coming in, this would have been prevented. Also if the guy had properly unloaded his rifle he wouldn't have paid the price he has. A lot of factors and while the marshals aren't completely to blame they may well have been able to prevent this.

On the subject of eye pro in safe zones it's a safe zone for a reason. It's a zone where you should feel safe to remove protective gear. It's not a f*ck about with your gun zone or shoot your mate in the arse zone. Current rules properly enforced should be enough. X site where we usually play are so on top of dry firing it sometimes feels OTT but this just shows why they do it.

 

[James1989]

To be fair, we've not actually any evidence that the gun was dry fired (a deliberate and voluntary act) we only know that I gun was discharged while pointed at another persons face, in a safe zone.

Being a springer, I suppose its possible it went off on its own, or was knocked during handling(?).

No but guns in the safe zone should be unmagged and emptied