If you’re a paintball player, it’s impossible you’ve never been hit before. Somebody will inevitably get hit during a paintball game, and it’ll surely hurt. But the question is, how much does a paintball gun hurt? It depends on how powerful the paintball gun is. The higher the velocity of the ball traveling at your body when it hits, the worse it’ll feel.
So, we’re going to review the velocity of a paintball gun and then talk about how much it’ll hurt.
Does Getting Hit With A Paintball Hurt?
A paintball gun can shoot to a velocity of up to 300 feet per second (fps). At this velocity, getting hit by a paintball hurts. Paintballs are made of gelatin and glycerin, which can cause welts and bruising when they hit your body at high speed.
Even paintballs with a velocity of about 200 feet per second (fps) can hurt. The higher the velocity, the more painful the hit.
How Much Does It Hurt to Get Shot with A Paintball?
So, how much does a paintball gun hurt? Pain is a subjective experience. There is no measuring to describe it. Many people feel no pain from being shot with a paintball at all.
Even people who get hit with paintballs sometimes don’t feel very much until they see their skin and look closely at it later. However, most say it feels like a firm flick rather than a solid hit.
Some say it feels like a slight sting that lasts for a second or two. Others say it feels like someone prodding your skin with the tip of a finger.
However, most people do suffer some pain from getting hit. If you’re not too sensitive, getting shot in the hand or arm won’t hurt much.
You might initially feel slight discomfort, but you probably won’t even care that much when it’s all over.
Factors That Determine How Much a Paintball Gun Hurts
Pain from a paintball gun depends on many things. Here are some factors that affect how much pain you feel when hit by a paintball gun:
Speed of the Paintball
A paintball gun will hurt more if the paintball shoots faster. Paintballs travel at different speeds depending on what paintball gun you use and how fast you shoot, but they can reach speeds up to 300 feet per second. Faster paintballs hurt more than slower ones.
Shooting Range
If you get hit by a paintball gun from close range, your pain level is high. The closer the paintball gun’s range, the more it hurts.
Type of Paintball Gun
Different types of paintball guns have different ranges. An electric paintball gun is more powerful than a non-electric gun and causes more pain.
Size of Pellets
Paintballs that are smaller than the diameter of a paintball gun’s barrel cause less pain.
The Number of Times You Get Hit
If you get hit by a paintball only once, it’ll hurt for a few seconds. But if you get hit over and over, it can hurt for days.
Where Does Paintball Hurt The Most?
You don’t feel the same pain from getting a paintball in the arm as you do from getting it in the chest. Here’s what happens to your body when a paintball is fired at you and where it hurts the most:
Getting Hit in the Back
Because of less muscle and fat, the lower back is especially vulnerable to the effects of a paintball. The back is largely unprotected, and getting hit there can cause severe bruising and discomfort.
Eye
Getting shot in the eye with a paintball is painful. It can cause irritation, swelling, and permanent damage.
Ear
A paintball fired in the ear can cause more pain because the ear lobule is soft and sensitive.
The Neck
Getting shot in the neck hurts not only because of the exposed location but also because of the facial structure of the neck.
How to Reduce Paintball Pain
Pain is unavoidable when playing paintball. Luckily, there are ways to reduce pain when playing paintball:
Always Wear Protective Gear.
Even though you’re playing in a safe area, objects are still flying around and causing pain. Wear protective gear at all times to reduce the pain you experience.
Wear Padded Paintball Equipment
Padding makes you feel more protected than regular paintball equipment. Padded paintball clothing will help reduce the pain you experience from getting hit with balls.
Apply Cold Packs or Ice
Painful welts or bruises are standard after paintballing. Using cold packs or ice to reduce swelling and pain will help you feel better faster.
Take Breaks If You Need To
Taking a break from paintball will allow the muscles to relax and reduce the pain.
Pain Killer
Painkillers help reduce pain by reducing inflammation and swelling. Pain killer will help you feel better quicker than if you didn’t take any medication.
FAQs
Do paintballs hurt on bare skin?
Paintballs hitting bare skin are the most painful thing in paintball. As they’re filled with gelatin and when they hit bare skin, the gelatin can soak in, and it feels like getting shot.
What hurts worse paintball or airsoft?
Paintball hurts worse than airsoft. They’ve significant differences in kinetic energy. Paintball is 10 times stronger than airsoft.
Final Word
If you thought paintball guns were just harmless toys, think again. Paintball guns can potentially cause severe pain. How much does a paintball gun hurt? In most cases, it depends on the paintball gun you’re using, the type of paintballs you’re shooting, and the amount of paint you shoot on the body.
So, to avoid this painful situation, most paintball players have protective gear. The most common protective gears are goggles and masks. Cold pressure packs and painkillers can also reduce pain.
