[mikecuesta]

I too went deep into paintball back in the late -90's; it was one of the few 'sports' that I really took an affinity to.

Unfortunately, I was shot in my left eye with the barrel being less than 3 feet away, leaving me legally blind in one eye. It was after a game and we all had our masks off.

Being that my main skillset is/was design & web, it was one of the scariest experiences of my life. Fortunately I've continued to build a great career relying on the vision of one eye.

I've been approached a few times to speak out publicly on TV against the dangers of paintball, but have always declined. Just like anything in life, proper precautions are important and freak accidents will happen.

I would love to play again one day, but it's probably not the best idea.

[aestra]

Why did someone shoot you after the game? Was it an accident?

[langseth]

It happens, lax safety on and off the field and poor gun safety/trigger control. Keep your mask on at all times on the field and barrel bags on off the field, and accidents like this can't happen (source: I ref and play paintball every weekend). We kick people off the field for lifting their mask when they are on the field and ensure barrel bags go on before walking back into the staging area.

[mikecuesta]

Total accident. Many of us were all hanging out by the cars and one of the guns went off.

[AVTizzle]

Gosh that's brutal. Sorry to hear it man, glad to hear you're above it both professional and spiritually.

I also feel bad for the person who's marker went off in your face. What a horrible guilt that must be.