| I can't count the number of times that I've seen | | | | worth mentioning that you shouldn't forget your |
| someone arrive at a field or paintball outing only | | | | tank. There are two main varieties of tanks... |
| to discover that they left their hopper at | | | | CO2 tanks are typically measured in ounces, |
| home… or how many times I've seen a | | | | which describe how much liquid CO2 the tank will |
| gun break only to find that the owner doesn't | | | | hold. 20oz CO2 tanks seem to be the most |
| have a tool kit or spare parts available. Luckily | | | | popular and a full tank will typically give you 900 - |
| in most cases, there are others around who did | | | | 1000 shots. Keep in mind that some guns |
| remember, and are happy to help out, but | | | | (typically more expensive guns) do not |
| sometimes being unprepared means you may get | | | | recommend using CO2 and instead recommend |
| to sit and watch others play. | | | | Nitrogen tanks, which in most cases use normal |
| That being said, I've compiled a list below of the | | | | compressed air. These are typically measured by |
| top 10 things to make sure you always have in | | | | the size of the tanks (in ci or cubic centimeters) |
| your bag before you head out to the field. | | | | and pressure (in psi or pounds per square inch). |
| We'll assume for the sake of this article, that you | | | | The larger the tank and the higher the PSI, the |
| haven't forgotten your gun. | | | | more shots you will get. It's worth noting that |
| 1. Paintball Mask - This should probably be number | | | | not all fields can fill the higher PSI tanks, so you |
| 1, 2 and 3 on the list. You should never play | | | | may end up getting 3000psi fills on a 4500psi |
| paintball without a mask that is designed for | | | | tank. |
| paintball. Let me say that again. You should | | | | If you play a lot, or don't play on a formal field, |
| never play paintball without a mask that is | | | | then you may want to consider having two |
| designed for paintball. Your eyes are much to | | | | tanks. This will allow you to get both filled and |
| important to take any chance losing them. Safety | | | | allow you to keep playing if one breaks or is |
| goggles or sunglasses don't offer the protection | | | | empty. DO NOT attempt to repair a |
| you need when a paintball is heading at your face | | | | malfunctioning tank on your own. Paintball |
| going 285 feet per second. | | | | tanks are under very high pressure and you may |
| Paintball masks come in many varieties. All | | | | be injured or killed if you are not properly trained |
| masks that are intended for paintball should meet | | | | to service and repair tanks. Your local paintball |
| the minimum safety requirements, so after that | | | | shop or dive shop are good places to start when |
| your choice is going to be focused more on | | | | looking for someone to repair a tank. |
| comfort, visibility, and style. More expensive | | | | 7. Tools and Spare Parts - Most markers come |
| masks tend to excel in all three areas but | | | | with a few spare parts and tools needed to |
| something like the entry level vForce Armor | | | | performance maintenance on the marker. |
| Goggles are fine for beginners. For more | | | | Make sure these stay in your bag. In addition, |
| experienced players you may find them wearing | | | | most manufacturers sell parts kits which include |
| the vForce Profilers or the vForce Grill vision | | | | more of the same parts, and in many cases |
| systems. | | | | other parts which you will want to have on hand |
| 2. Safety Gear - Even though a mask is | | | | in the event that they break. O-rings and cup |
| considered safety gear, I felt it was important to | | | | seals are obvious items to have. An o-ring pick will |
| list it separately. There are a number of other | | | | help with removing damaged or broken o-rings |
| safety items which should be considered as well | | | | that need replacing. You will also want to have |
| such as paintball gloves, neck protectors, and | | | | gun oil in your kit, which should be applied to the |
| knee and elbow pads. These will make you | | | | o-rings as well when you are replacing them or |
| more likely to dive when necessary to avoid being | | | | cleaning your marker. Be sure to check if your |
| shot, and will make you less likely to get hurt | | | | marker requires or recommends a particular type |
| doing so. You can also wear a chest and back | | | | of oil. |
| protector. These come in different varieties | | | | 8. Batteries - If your marker is electronic, as |
| and will help minimize the number of bumps and | | | | more and more are these days, you will want to |
| bruises you go home with. The Spyder Body | | | | make sure you have spare batteries and a |
| Shield is a very popular version because it looks | | | | charger in your bag. If your hopper requires |
| more like a Jersey than a catcher's chest | | | | batteries (many require 2), then you'll want to |
| protector.strong>3. First Aid Kit - I keep a small | | | | account for those as well. I like to keep a fully |
| first aid kit in my bag in the event that I get a | | | | charged set of batteries in my gun and hopper |
| cut or scrape. You can typically find a general | | | | and another charged spare set as well. A rapid |
| all purpose kit at your local drug store. I'd typically | | | | car charger can come in handy if your batteries |
| make sure that it includes band-aids, | | | | die.  You'll be out of play for a bit, but at |
| triple-antibiotic ointment, gauze pads and tape. | | | | least the whole day won't be wasted. |
| If it doesn't include them, I'll throw in a small bottle | | | | Important: Be sure to check your markers |
| of pain-reliever in the event I get a headache, or | | | | guidelines to make sure you are using the right |
| as I get older, for some of the related aches and | | | | type of battery. Some are pretty specific about |
| pains. | | | | whether standard batteries should be used or the |
| 4. Barrel Cover - I keep my barrel cover on my | | | | types of rechargeable batteries available. |
| gun when it's stored away. This helps me avoid | | | | 9. Food and Water - If you are playing at a field, |
| forgetting it. All reputable and insured fields will | | | | chances are that they will have snacks and drinks |
| require that you have a barrel cover on your | | | | available for sale, and will probably offer some |
| marker at all times except during play. Most will | | | | sort of lunch as well. The key here is to be |
| not accept a barrel plug, so if your marker came | | | | sure that you stay well hydrated. Because |
| with a plug as most Spyder Paintball Guns did until | | | | many players choose to dress in layers to reduce |
| last year, you will want to get a barrel cover | | | | the sting of being hit and are normally wearing |
| before heading to the field. If you forget, | | | | masks, it's easy to become overheated or |
| most fields will gladly sell you one. | | | | dehydrated. This will bring and end to what would |
| 5. Squeegee - Squeegees come in a few different | | | | otherwise be a great day. If you are playing with |
| formats. The "battle swab" consists of two | | | | friends in the woods, be sure to take drinks and |
| soft ends, which can be inserted into the barrel to | | | | snacks with you. Take the opportunity to grab a |
| soak up any residual paint. They typically fold in | | | | drink in between games and I guarantee you will |
| half and are pretty easy to keep in your back | | | | last longer and feel better as the day progresses. |
| pocket or cargo pants for easy cleaning on the | | | | 10. A Towel - It sounds minor, but I've found that |
| field if you have a ball break in the barrel. Jerk | | | | a small towel comes in handy for wiping my face |
| squeegees consist of a wire or plastic lead with | | | | or my gun off between games. It gives you |
| rubber washers and fabric on one end. They are | | | | something to lay your gun on if you want to |
| pulled through the barrel to pull out most of the | | | | avoid getting it scuffed up (though if you're |
| paint. Straight shot squeegees are similar but | | | | playing hard, it's going to get scuffed up), and it's |
| do not have much flexibility in them. Both the | | | | good for wiping your hands off. |
| jerk and the straight shot squeegees require that | | | | Having fun on the paintball field has a lot to do |
| you remove your barrel or disassemble your gun | | | | with how prepared you are to play. A great |
| to use them, so they are not ideal for on the field | | | | paintball gun is nice, but if you don't have |
| cleaning. I would recommend having both a | | | | everything you need to keep it and you in good |
| battle swab and a jerk or straight shot squeegee | | | | working order, you'll spend more time on the |
| in your bag. It's frustrating to have your balls | | | | sidelines than the field. Having these items in your |
| going every way except straight because you | | | | bag will go a long way toward keeping you safe |
| have a dirty barrel. | | | | and on the field. Play hard! |
| 6. CO2 or Nitro Tank - It seems obvious but it's | | | | |