NationStates Jolt Archive


"Paintball Guns Fly Apart, Causing Two Deaths"

TROUSRS
08-04-2004, 19:47
(From the Miami Herald)

The following was directly copied from an article in the Miami Herald, except for anything in parenthesis. Anything in parenthesis was added by me as commentary, see what you think.

Paintball Guns Fly Apart, Causing Two Deaths (Gun Flys Apart translates to some moron not watching what he's doing, not the entire gun blowing up, sending pieces flying everywhere.)

Based on and investigation of two deaths caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) canisters flying off paintball guns, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning users that the brass- or nickel- plated valve that connects directly to the canister must not be unscrewed from the canister when removing the canister assembly. (If you thought it should, you should not be allowed to live.) This valve must stay secured and rotate with the CO2 canister. ( :shock: Really?!)

In both of the deaths, the brass valve unscrewed from the canister, turning the pressurized canister into a deadly projectile.

In June 2003, a 15-year-old boy died after being struck in the head while he was removing the canister from the gun. And last month, a female bystander was killed by a CO2 canister that was expelled as someone was removing the canister from the paintball gun.

The commission recommends that people make sure that any modifications to the paintball gun or the CO2 canister are done properly. For example, installing anti-siphon tubes involves removing and reinstalling the canister valve. It's critical that the falve be reinstalled with the appropriate adhesive and the proper torque.

Make sure the canister valve is securely attached to the canister, rotates with the canister and doesn't unscrew. The Assembly should unscrew in about three or four full turns; if you finish the fourth turn and the canister isn't unscrewed from the gun, stop! Take it to a professional. (Yes, because we all know there are "professional" CO2 tank-unscrewers.)

The commission says that some people have found it helpful to use paint or nail polish to mark the valve and the canister so that they can see that they rotate together while being removed. (Um.. no. It's called just pay attention to what you're doing.)

--(End of Article)--

One thing that gets me mad is that you only see paintball in the news whenever something bad happens. Paintball is a safer sport than bowling, all you have to do is WATCH what you're unscrewing. It's morons (the retarded-in-the-unscrewing-hand people) like this that tarnish paintball's safe atmosphere.
Esselldee
08-04-2004, 20:06
I haven't played war-games -as we used to call it - for a few years now, but I loved it!
Was great fun!
~just call me dead-eye~ 8)

I guess it was so long ago that I don't understand how the simple matter of changing cartridges could be screwed up so badly. :roll:
08-04-2004, 20:27
the way the valves are attached to the tanks, you really have to go out of your way to remove it.

And anything that involves the airflow on my gun is done by my airsmith.
Cryptic Writings
08-04-2004, 20:35
i agree that in the news there are only bad stories on the sport. I play paintball my self and i dont kill any one w/ my equipment. To tell you the truth I feel really safe when it comes to paint ball.
08-04-2004, 20:39
its called sensationalist media. The only news that sells is the kind you can get upset about. no one wants to hear about the number of resposible people that paintball safely. its a shame...
TROUSRS
09-04-2004, 02:18
i agree that in the news there are only bad stories on the sport. I play paintball my self and i dont kill any one w/ my equipment. To tell you the truth I feel really safe when it comes to paint ball.

Exactly. Getting a bruise every now and then doesn't make it "not safe" and I don't aim my gun/tank at anyone while opperating on it.

What I also love is seeing people with their 900 dollar autocockers and angels screwing up when my nice little E99 works great. :) I'm looking to get a BKO by ICD.

What do you shoot?
09-04-2004, 02:25
You shouldn't have a $1500 gun if you aren't a $1500 player.

That being said, I have a Model 98 Custom.
Johnistan
09-04-2004, 03:19
Tippman A-5
09-04-2004, 05:36
And lastly, on the lighter side of the news:
Tonight's Darwin Awards!
Tuesday Heights
09-04-2004, 06:48
That's crazy!