Wot no face mask ! Gum shield to save teeth !

Many of us use gum shields ,totally acceptable , just try to get a neutral colour as a lot come in sexy modern bright colours ,very few games actually stipulate no face masks at all but its mostly a conscience balanced against safety thing ,I never use them ,never will and don't like them but your safety is your choice ,gum guards are accepted by everybody as a good trade off .

Been a load of discussion about this over the years buddy:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15491&hilit=facemask

That's great, then all that don't wear face masks or gum shield are fully aware of the risk ! And responsibility for facial damage is with the individual choosing not to take precautions.....I would have thought everyone is aware of this.....Just checking.....
Kind regards
Mark

I find face masks stifling, personally but I might try a gum shield next skirmish

I've never understood how people play without helmets... My lid has saved me from many a lump to the head and bleeding ears, especially in CQB engagements!

I don't expect to get full autoed at point blank in the face at a WW2 game, whereas I do at an Open Day. WW2 games are generally a bit less shooty than normal airsoft, as that isn't what it is about.

So I generally don't wear a facemask, or even a gumshield, unless we are doing something silly like full auto CQB in a pitch dark building. I do usually put a gumshield in my pocket in case it is all getting a bit hairy, or just exit from a potentially dangerous situation. When I first started out I used to wrap up like it was an open day - gloves, big scarf round my face etc but it isn't that necessary.

As Dadio says, there are very, very few games which don't allow facemasks, but most people choose not to wear them. It is part of the culture. But just because someone isn't wearing a mask doesn't give you carte blanche to shoot them in the face, when there is a huge great body to aim at instead. First rule of WW2 airsoft, "don't be a cock" Equally, if you feel safer in a mask, wear one, it isn't a question being macho and shrugging off BBs with your teeth, but what you feel comfortable with.

As Ashkati says, helmets are good. One of mine has a huge dent in it which would have been my head otherwise. They also make a very satisfying ding when hit.

Cheers
Martin

Good post, Martin. Fully agree.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It's finding that balance, safety first, then realistic historical battles.

The pain and the dental costs involved in not using a gum shield is scary.

I always wear gloves, being shot in the finger is pain I don't want to revisit !

I suppose, it's what risks we are prepared to take, and face the consequences, eg. If a tooth is knocked out and no face mask or gun shield, you can't blame the shooter !

Kind regards
Mark

I suppose, it's what risks we are prepared to take, and face the consequences, eg. If a tooth is knocked out and no face mask or gun shield, you can't blame the shooter !

Unless, as Martin said, they have like a cock been behaving - deliberately firing at the head, taking out an overpowered gun and/or not respecting engagement ranges, spraying when a short burst or single shot would do etc. I don't agree with general absolution whereby the person who causes a problem is excused because the person affected hadn't taken every possible precaution in case someone behaves like a twat. Personal responsibility works both ways.

I loathe face masks, I see no point in going to all the trouble of spending masses of money on kit only to ruin it with a face mask. As an aside I expect I could replace all my teeth with the amount of money I've spent on WW2 airsoft junk. I carry a gumshield but only ever put it in for prolonged CQB fighting, if I remember.

It's not about being macho but the fact that BBs can hurt is a good thing, both so that you know when you've been hit and to inject a bit of realistic caution. I understand that real bullets hurt a lot more. I would rather take a stinger to the hand or face or knee and know that I have failed to survive again than delude myself that I am some super hero while at the same time pissing everybody on the other side off.

Cheers
Charlie

PS this is brilliant, when you write twat it is automatically censored with an *.

Much of this has been mentioned in other discussions, but it's still interesting to hear others' opinions on the matter.

Me personally, I have always used lower face, and will never have an issue with other people doing the same - be it a scarf or mesh or plastic or whatever, historical accuracy be damned. If I can suspend my disbelief at whining gearboxes, 'dead' people standing about with their hand in the air, and West Scotland accents on Waffen-SS during a game, I can extend the same courtesy to a person's safety precautions.

No opinion added just wanted to type twat and test Charlie's auto correct.

...and now for the childish game to find if it works on other words! and see how far we are allowed to push the language.

penis tits cock wanker

I started out by doing airsoft at a local indoor site. As soon as I switched to playing outdoors in woodland the risks are so much lower that I stopped wearing a face mask. I always have a scrim net scarf that can be used as face protection if things get a bit close up though.
As for helmets, I find that British helmets don't protect your ears at all. The British airborne helmet in particular results in significant numbers of hits to the ears. A slouch hat offers far better ear protection in my experience.

I don't agree with general absolution whereby the person who causes a problem is excused because the person affected hadn't taken every possible precaution in case someone behaves like a tw*t.

Hear, hear!

A wiser man than me once said the best way not to be shot in the face is to present your whole body as a target rather than peep around things.

Gumsheilds probably are a good idea, but I have never used them despite having seen a few teeth shot out, lots of pain and expense there. Not sure I like the idea of having to take it in and out with hands that have been airsofting in a derelict factory though. Facemasks are the devil's work in WW2 airsoft. The ones that make you look like Autons are okay from a distance, but close up they really give me the willies.

As for helmets, I would have been concussed many times had it not been for those, especially at UCAP and Drakelow. I think I actually prefer to play in one than a soft cap.

I have a gumsheild, but only ever pop it in when fighting around buildings/dense bushes - can't keep it in all the time or else you sounds like a rabid Janet Street-Porter.

I cut my gumshield down, you only need to protect the front teeth and it means you can still speak. Doesn't stop me dribbling like a rabid bulldog though!

Cheers
Martin

Is there a non rabid version of Janet Street Porter ?

Is there a non rabid version of Janet Street Porter ?

Ooooo!

I don't expect to get full autoed at point blank in the face at a WW2 game, whereas I do at an Open Day. WW2 games are generally a bit less shooty than normal airsoft, as that isn't what it is about.

So I generally don't wear a facemask, or even a gumshield, unless we are doing something silly like full auto CQB in a pitch dark building. I do usually put a gumshield in my pocket in case it is all getting a bit hairy, or just exit from a potentially dangerous situation. When I first started out I used to wrap up like it was an open day - gloves, big scarf round my face etc but it isn't that necessary.

As Dadio says, there are very, very few games which don't allow facemasks, but most people choose not to wear them. It is part of the culture. But just because someone isn't wearing a mask doesn't give you carte blanche to shoot them in the face, when there is a huge great body to aim at instead. First rule of WW2 airsoft, "don't be a cock" Equally, if you feel safer in a mask, wear one, it isn't a question being macho and shrugging off BBs with your teeth, but what you feel comfortable with.

As Ashkati says, helmets are good. One of mine has a huge dent in it which would have been my head otherwise. They also make a very satisfying ding when hit.

Cheers
Martin

Good post Martin.

From my limited experiences WW2 airsoft is at the top end of the scale regarding airsoft ethics. To me it doesnt make too much difference if someone does or doesnt wear a mask and at the end of the day we all do it to have fun and enjoy ourselves. Clear goggles do definitely look the biz and i try to wear them most the time but sometimes i dont feel like getting shot in the face... for example on a sunday before a job interview on the Monday! So as Martin put so well "do what you feel comfortable with."

As long as the person i am shooting is having fun then i am happy! Time for the customary test out the forum political correctness correction system code word....... Twit....