Paintball is a sport that uses spherical, marble-sized capsules of paint which are shot at opponents using an air-powered paintball gun or marker. As you can probably guess, being hit with one of these things at close range can sting a little, and paintballs can cause a bit of a safety issue especially where the eyes and face are concerned. That is why it is so important to wear the proper safety gear each and every time that you go paintballing.

There are four different types of safety gear and safety mechanisms that you should always make sure that you use and are being used by others who are playing with you.

Face masks. Face masks are probably the most important piece of safety equipment associated with playing paintball, and face masks are required at all paintball arenas so it is very important that you choose a good one. The main objective of the face mask is to protect the eyes, face and ears from paintballs. There are many different types of face masks that are suitable for paintball including face masks with visors and built in fans for an added field advantage.

I mean, who can concentrate on paintball when your mask is picking up a glare or you're so steamed up that you can't see a thing? A good rule of thumb to follow when choosing your face mask is to choose one that fits perfectly so that you can avoid abrasions and blisters when it gets knocked around. You should also choose a face mask that gives you good vision and offers an expanded peripheral viewing field.

Neck and chest protectors. While neck and chest protectors are not required at all paintball arenas, they are a good idea for any paintballer. A paintball can leave a nasty bruise in sensitive areas, especially when shot at close range.

Knee and shin protectors. Knee and shin protectors are a good idea if you like to kneel a lot when shooting at a target. Not only do they protect your knees from kneeling on hard surfaces such as concrete and gravel, these protectors can also protect your shins from paintballs. A shot there is taken directly on the bone and can cause some major bruising.

Barrel plug. The barrel plug is used when you're not on the paintball field to prevent your gun from being accidentally fired.

Just as with any sport, paintball is a relatively safe game, but you need to take some minor precautions to make sure that nobody is injured while you are having fun. You wouldn't think of standing in a football lineup without a helmet and the proper protective pads. You should feel the same when it comes to safety equipment and paintball.