Airsoft is a game of honor; and players must play honestly in order for the game,
whether it be a backyard skirmish, or a full on Mil-Sim OP to function properly
and be fun for everyone involved. Not following the rules or cheating in any
fashion should not be tolerated.
If any part of a players body is impacted by a bb. The player should call
themselves .hit., and follow the rules laid by the event organizer regarding
.dead. or .wounded. players. 32nd Operations,CAOC recommends yelling .HIT. very loudly, and
raising a hand or weapon in the air. To indicate clearly to the opposing force that
they are indeed .hit.. 32nd Operations,CAOC furthers suggests that the .hit. player have a
brightly colored rag (commonly called a dead rag) to wave in the air and or place
on their head. During night games a .red light. of some sort is suggested. This
will help others on the field know who is still in the game and who is out, and
hopefully prevent the .hit. player from being shot again. If the .hit. player IS
shot again, they should turn their back to the direction of the incoming bb‘s and
repeat the procedure above. It may be necessary for the player to walk out of
the field of play. Under no circumstances should the player become angry and
scream at or threaten the player(s) that have continued to shoot them after they
were .hit.. There could be a number of plausible reasons that it happened.
Perhaps they were shooting at someone behind the .hit. player etc. Players should recognize when players are .hit., and make every effort not to shoot them again. Continuing to purposely shoot a .hit. player should not be tolerated. Players should never use .hit. (dead) teammates as cover, nor should they take opposing players hostage for use as cover, this is considered very poor sportsmanship and should not be tolerated. If a player feels that they have .hit. an opposing player and the .hit. wasn.t called. Under no circumstances should they call the .hit. for the opposing player. Screaming or yelling at the opposing player (Example: .Hey I saw the bb‘s hit you.) and/or threatening them should not be tolerated. There are many justifiable reasons as to why the .hit. wasn.t called. Perhaps they didn.t feel the hit through their gear, the bb‘s may be falling short or are being blown off course by wind, and you can.t see that from your vantage point. 32nd Operations, CAOC recommends that all players give the .benefit of the doubt. in these situations. Bb‘s don.t cost very much so keep shooting them, and remember this is supposed to fun, a training exercise to improve your skills or both. If players feel that someone is not calling obvious hits on a repeated basis. They should approach the player after the game or during a break, and bring the issue up with them in a professional manner. If that fails, the issue should be brought to the attention of that player.s team leader if they are on a team. Failing that, bring it to the attention of the event organizer and or the field/facility owner. Fighting should not be tolerated whatsoever. The only allowable physical contact between opposing players, beyond if a player uses the .knife kill.(double tap) rule, should be if .disarms., .take downs. and .reasonable POW restraint. are part of the game rules and are agreed upon by all participants, event organizers, and the field/facility owner beforehand.
General Safety
Players who fail to follow the recommended safety guidelines put themselves in
danger of injury. Some safety rules will vary from field to field, and event to
event. 32nd Operatons,CAOC strongly recommends that players take the time to familiarize
themselves with the rules of the event/field/facility in which you will be playing.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Eye Protection: 32nd Operations,CAOC STRONGLY recommends goggles that form a full tight seal around your eyes. While ballistic shooting glasses are allowed on most
airsoft fields. CAOC discourages their use, because they do not offer adequate protection from shots from the sides, rear, or ricochets. All lenses must be rated at ANSI Z87.1-2003 (also known as Z87.1+). Regular shop goggles, shooting glasses, or sunglasses do not provide adequate protection and should not be allowed! 32nd Operations, CAOC also discourages the use of wire mesh goggles. BBs impacting the wire mesh can shatter and splinter, causing injury to the eyes.
Full Face Protection: Full face masks are not required at most airsoft fields or events, but are recommended by 32nd Operations, CAOC. Bbs impacting the face can break or chip teeth, and are easily stopped by a full face mask. 32nd Operations, CAOC feels that full face protection should be required at indoor events/games (CQB, MOUT) due to the close proximity of engagements.
Head Protection: Players should at a minimum wear a baseball or boonie style hat to protect against sun exposure and lessen bb impacts to the head. Players may wish to wear a helmet to better protect against bbs or hitting their head on a tree branch or inside of a structure. 32nd Opeations,CAOC recommends helmets for CQB/MOUT events.
Gloves: 32nd Opeartions,CAOC recommends that players wear some kind of gloves. Not only do gloves protect player.s hands (somewhat) from the impact of a bb. They also help protect the hands from thorns, cactus, and other potential hazards.
Footwear: Proper boots, Law Enforcement or Military Grade are highly recommended by 32nd Operatons,CAOC for playing airsoft. Regular hiking boots, tennis shoes and other civilian type footwear are not acceptable. As they do not provide adequate ankle support, traction, and protection against insects, snakes and other hazards that players may encounter in the woods or CQB/MOUT facility.
Knee Pads: 32nd Opeartions,CAOC recommends that players wear knee pads when playing on rough rocky terrain or during CQB/MOUT. Players may choose to wear knee pads during all games for added protection and comfort when taking a knee, crouching etc.
Elbow Pads: elbow pads offer added protection and comfort when crawling or going prone. 32ndOperations,CAOC recommends elbow pads for CQB/MOUT environments, because of hard floors and the possibility of banging the elbow on a doorway etc.
Replica Body Armor: 32ndOperations,CAOC recommends that players who wish to participate in events where replicas which chrono at higher than the
recommended FPS limits listed below are being used. Wear a replica plate carrier system or other replica body armor to protect against high velocity bb impacts. Players who participate in high velocity events should take special care to aim at opposing player.s torso area only
Surrender, Bang and Knife kill rules
When players have the drop on an opposing player at less than the approved
engagement distance for their airsoft replica, they should employ one of these
options, or transition to their approved sidearm. The surrender and bang rule are
basically the same. The player simply says .BANG. and the opposing player is
dead. .Surrender. can either mean that the opposing player is dead or can be
taken POW. A knife kill can occur when a player sneaks up on an opposing player
and touches them with their hand or rubber knife. This sometimes referred to as
a .double tap..
Parlay
If two opposing players encounter each other at less than the approved
engagement distance. They should then employ a parlay. Both players pace back
to the approved engagement distance and continue combat.
Observers and other non-combatants. Any people watching and airsoft game, photographers, or Admin/Referees. MUST observe at least the minimum eye protection requirements listed above. Firing on these individuals should be prohibited.
Blind Firing
Players must be able to see where the muzzle of their airsoft replica is pointed
when firing. Holding a weapon above a barricade or around a corner without
being able to see the intended target is blind firing, and is extremely dangerous.
This should be prohibited in all cases and brought to the attention of the Admin
or field owner if it occurs.
Pyrotechnics
Game organizers should check with the field/facility owner before using any
pyrotechnics. Fireworks and other pyro devices being used to add effects like
smoke, light or sound. Should never be used to directly engage any players, and
should always be used with care to prevent fires.
Starting and ending game/event
Players should leave magazines out of their replicas with the safety on until the
event is officially started by the admins/event organizer by whatever method
they choose (shouting GAME ON, using an air horn etc.) This insures that all
participants have their eye protection on and are within the approved boundaries
of play before live firing begins.
When GAME OFF is called, players should remove their magazines, clear their
weapons by firing into the air, and place their safeties on. They should wait for
the ok from the admins before removing eye protection.
Feet Per Second limits (FPS) and engagement distances
The 32ndOperations,CAOC recommended FPS limits are based upon airsoft replicas firing 0.20
gram bbs with hop-up off. 32ndOperations,CAOC recommends that all replicas be chronographed
by the event/game organizers prior to the start of play to insure player safety.
Conversion charts for other weights of bbs are readily available and event
organizers should have them to refer to when chronoing.
AEGs (Automatic Electric Guns): the recommended velocity limit for AEGs outdoors is 400fps. AEGs should not be used to engage players any closer than 20 feet. When closer than 20 feet players should use the .bang., .surrender., .knife kill., or .parlay rule. rule depending on the situation, or transition to an approved sidearm.
Support Weapons: the recommended velocity limit for support weapons is 450fps. Given the increased velocity the engagement distance for a support weapon is 40 feet. Players should carry a secondary weapon and/or sidearm for engagements closer than 40 feet. (Allowable support weapons should be ACCURATE replicas of weapons specifically designed to provide suppressive fire in a support role. Examples include but are not limited to the M249, M240, M60, MG42, Shrike, HK21, PKM,RPK,MG36,AUG-LMG,AUG H-BAR,BAR, and any other weapon that was designed or has been deployed by a military force anywhere in the world in a support weapon role. Regular AEGS with a box or drum mag should not be considered a support weapon.)
Designated Marksman Rifles (DMR): The recommended velocity for DMRs is 450fps with a minimum engagement distance of 40 feet. DMRs cannot simply be a standard AEG rifle that fires at 450fps. They must be ACCURATE replicas of real steel marksman rifles. They must have optics, with at least a 4X magnification, and have a barrel length that is consistent with what a real steel marksman rifle would have. (no shorty DMRs). Players may wish to add a bipod
to complete the .marksman look. Replicas considered DMRs must be semi-auto capable only.
Sniper rifles: the recommended FPS limit for sniper rifles is 550fps with an engagement distance of 100 feet. This of course, limits sniper rifles to outdoor use only. Snipers should carry a secondary weapon for engagements within 100 feet. Replicas considered sniper rifles must be bolt action or semi-auto capable only.
Pistols: The recommended velocity limit for gas, CO2, electric, or spring pistols is 350fps. This applies to both indoor and outdoors.
CQB/MOUT: during strictly indoor games where full auto fire from AEGs is allowed the recommended velocity limit is 350fps. During games that are both indoor and outdoor and weapons of higher velocity will be used. Only semi-auto fire should be allowed from AEGs inside of structures. Support and sniper weapons should not be fired at players when both players are inside a structure in close proximity period. A player is considered inside of a structure the moment that any part of their body breaks the plane of the inside of a structure.
Firing at opposing players with an airsoft replica
32ndOperations,CAOC suggests that players aim .center mass. at opposing players. Aim for the
torso and lower extremities whenever possible, and be sure to follow the
engagement distance rules when doing so. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
SHOULD PLAYERS AIM AT THE HEAD OR FACE ON PURPOSE! This could result
in serious injury. If the player is peeking out from behind cover and the head is
the only target they are giving you. Then by all means take the shot, but fire
either on sem-auto or in short bursts only. You wouldn.t want someone laying
into your face at full-auto, so show your fellow players the same courtesy that
you would expect.
The .Hit. Rule
When any part of the player.s body or personal gear, (tac vest, helmet, boots,
etc.) takes a direct hit from a bb they are considered .hit. This only applies to
direct shots. Ricochets do not count as .hits.. Bbs that penetrate through
concealment such as, tall grass or bushes are considered .hits.. Friendly fire also
counts as a .hit.
Bbs that hit the players weapon DO NOT count as a .hit..
After players are hit they should follow the rules laid out in the General Sportsmanship section, and follow the rules laid by the event organizer regarding .dead. or .wounded. players.
Physical Contact Between Players
During most airsoft events the only allowable physical contact between players
should be for a player to .medic. another player or move the .hit. player to a
safe location to .medic. them. Or if a player uses the .knife kill. (double tap)
rule.
However, if .disarms., .take downs. and .reasonable POW restraint. are part of
the game rules and are agreed upon by all participants that will be involved in
these activities beforehand. Then those activities can be allowed pending
field/facility owner and event organizer approval. 32ndOperations,CAOC recommends that all
participants that have agreed to and will be involved in these activities should
give a written statement absolving the field/facility owner, 32ndOperations,CAOC, event
organizer, and the other players of all responsibility for injuries or broken replicas
and other gear.
Reasonable POW restraint: As defined by 32ndOperations,CAOC involves using the surrender rule to take an opposing player POW or if POWs are part of a game or scenario. Players may confiscate (with care) the POW‘s weapons and lead them to a secure location. If players have agreed to POW rules than if they are taken POW they should follow the spirit of the rule. Example: .Ok, I.m a POW, I.ll stay here until I.m rescued, I can escape or the game is over.. 32ndOperations,CAOC strongly discourages using zip ties, tying a POW or using any other extreme forms of restraint to prevent escape. If players wish to employ a restraint for visual effect and realism, 32ndOperations,CAOC recommends using a loop of elastic to place over the hands. This way the player can still free their hands on their own in case of an emergency. If escape and/or rescue rules are in effect, than players should place guards on POWs to prevent escape or rescue ONLY.
Players needing the leave the field of play. If players need to leave the field of play due a replica breakdown, fatigue, or any other non-injury or other non- emergency reason. They should call themselves out, just like if they were .hit. and leave the field of play. Players should never call a timeout and stop the game for the other players, unless there is an injury or other emergency.
Injuries and other emergencies
If a player is injured and needs help leaving the field of play, and/or requires
medical attention. BLINDMAN should be called over the battlefield and over all radio channels being used. This will be an overall GAMESTOP and CEASEFIRE, until the injured player has been attended to.
BLINDMAN can and should also be used if a player needs to be notified of a family emergency, if a participant loses their eye protection, or if outside noncombatants wander into the field of play.
Field/Facility limits and boundaries
Players should respect all physical boundaries and limits of the field or facility
that an airsoft event is taking place.
Commo equipment
If radio equipment is being used at an airsoft event, it should be of course
limited to the civilian FRS frequencies only. Players should stay on their assigned
frequencies. Scanning for and listening in opposing players frequencies is
considered cheating at most airsoft events.
Additional Airsoft Replica Weapons
Smoke Grenades: While not necessarily a .weapon. smoke grenades can be very effective if used properly. 32ndOperations,CAOC recommends pull ring smoke grenades only, as lightable smokes cause too great of a fire hazard. Smoke grenades should never be thrown into a structure occupied by other players. This is to prevent someone from having a dangerous asthmatic or allergic reaction.
Airsoft Grenade Launchers: M203 style weapon mounted Sun Project, G&P, CAW, Star (AG.) or stand alone gas, CO2, or spring powered grenade launchers. That fire either a bb shower or a foam projectile are deemed acceptable by 32ndOperations,CAOC. They can be used to assault groups of players, with a bb shower or by firing a foam projectile. All players within 20 feet of where the foam projectile lands, or are inside of a room where the projectile is fired into, are considered .hit.. Players should observe at least a 30 foot engagement distance when firing a foam projectile at opposing players. Grenade launchers can also be used to assault vehicles at certain events. Players should observe the rules of the particular event regarding this.
Airsoft Hand Grenades:
The AG-01 citric water and baking soda grenades, and the Escort, Deep Fire, and
PFI gas powered grenades are 32ndOperations,CAOC approved devices. Players can .load. the
grenades with bbs to create a fragmentation effect. Or consider everyone within
20 feet of, or inside of a room where grenade goes off .hit. or dead.
32ndOperations,CAOC does not recommend the use of any .home made. or .improvised.
grenade devices.
Airsoft Rocket Launchers:
32ndOperations,CAOC approved commercial rocket launchers are, the CAW M79, Smokey.s RPG,
Rusty.s paintball rocket launcher, and the Blackpoint Launcher (12g CO2
cartridges only)
32ndOperations,CAOC approved rocket launcher rounds are, Nerf Pocket Howler, Nerf Pocket
Vortex, and Zocker Darts.
Players can also use beehive/bb rounds in their launchers.
Rules regarding rocket launchers should be, any players hit by a bb shower or
within 20 feet of, or inside of a room where a rocket round lands are considered
.hit.
Players should observe a 30 foot minimum engagement distance with firing Nerf
Rounds or Zocker Darts from launchers.
Rocket launchers can also be used to assault vehicles at certain events. Players
should observe the rules of the particular event regarding this.
32ndOperations,CAOC does not recommend the use of homemade or improvised rocket
launchers; however field/facility owners and event organizers may choose to
allow them after inspection.
Airsoft Mines:
Airsoft Claymores and land mines loaded with bbs or baby powder are new and
exciting addition to the game of airsoft. They can be used to slow down or
impede the movement of enemy forces or create a barrier. Rules should be
simple, any player hit by bbs or gets baby powder on any part of their body or
gear from a claymore or a mine, should be considered .hit..