B26: Keep a Cool Head...!

"Keep a cool head, girl...with the odd look back!"  ​So many times as a child I heard my Dad, Mickey, give me the above advice.  It became our little joke whenever I’d ask him “What would you do if you were me? " Before he had a chance to answer, I’d jump in with “Don’t tell me.  Keep a cool head with the odd look back??”  😂

Although I’d laugh, in looking back now I can see just how sound that advice really was.  On so 

very ​many occasions, it stood me in great stead over the years; particularly when I needed to strategise and think clearly.  I was always going to be a person where brain would be relied upon over brawn.  Having had childhood asthma, which often triggered wheezing when exercise-induced, I was never overly-athletic.  Back in the day, treatment advice wasn’t as enlightened for asthma as it is now and I was told not to over-exert. 

Brain vs Brawn

I was therefore somewhat of a bookish child.  Let’s just say, I would never be picked for the team to play a game of Red Rover….and when called over I’d never be expected to burst through the line!   People who read books for entertainment are usually the kind of people who identify more with Bruce Banner than with the Incredible Hulk. We’d like to solve our problems by being smart and adroit, rather than transforming into a giant green monster and solving our problems by smashing them. 😂

​So it was when I came to Dublin in the early 1990s.  Many's the time I had to think on my feet.  No more so than on a team-building paintballing outing with Arthur Andersen where I worked as a Taxation Senior back in the day.  Off to Kiltiernan in the Dublin Mountains I headed with about a dozen colleagues.  Our group was about 50:50 male:female, all in our mid-20s.  Me not really relishing the thought of being chased through the woods getting splattered by paintballs!

To explain, paintball is played in a forest where players are divided into two teams and they battle to defend and attack positions in game areas with different scenarios.  Each player is issued with a camouflage suit, protective facemask and goggles, a padded hood and a paintball marker (gun), which fires a coloured paint pellet.

Paintball Equipment

​PAINTBALL GUN
The paintball guns were semi-automatic paintball guns and easy to use. They were powered using co2 tanks, which were free to refill.  If there were any problems with the guns during gameplay, referees were on hand to assist.

PAINTBALL HOLSTER
This could hold 440 rounds of paint within reach in a comfortable pack around the waist. Another pack fitted around the small of the back giving easy access to extra paint in the heat of the battle!

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PAINTBALLS
The Paintballs used were all the colours under the rainbow, and with a little practice were bang on target shot after shot after shot.

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​PAINTBALL MASK
The most important piece of equipment of all was the Mask. These Thermal Goggles designed for both safety and comfort, provided full face protection. 

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PAINTBALL UNIFORM
Our Camo Overalls were designed to fit comfortably but because they were unisex I found that mine “swam on me”.   Nevertheless, it helped me to blend in with the natural surroundings….we sure looked sweet in these!

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I soon found out that average physical fitness is sufficient. Perspiration and a few aching muscles in muscles I didn't know I had! There were welcome breaks between games. Each player found his / her own level of participation; be it all-out action (the guys) or a little more laid back (the girls)!

Our group was divided into two teams. Each of the five game areas had a different scenario so the winning team’s success depended on what that game involved.  Some games involved both teams trying to storm each other’s camp simultaneously, some were attacking and defending over two legs with the quickest attacking time determining the winner. I soon got into the swing of things…joining forces with some of the girls on my team.

​The one thing I soon found out though is that although the paint pellets are not dangerous, they break on impact and are seriously sore when you get hit …..with a stinging sensation for a short period.  The objective of the game is to win each ‘mission’ but only by compliance with the strict safety codes of practice, which do not allow shots that are too close. But I was still left with some crazy yellow and purple bruises for a week after; particularly in the unprotected area where my arms met my shoulders.

​How to Play Paintball Like a Boss

Although paintball is a thoroughly enjoyable activity for everyone who takes part, I found it’s more fun if you’re on the winning team!!  If you’ve never played before, it’s easy to assume that it mainly consists of “spray and pray” carnage. But in reality, I found it’s a sport that requires tactical thinking, communication, patience and precision. Four things to remember:

1. Communication Is Key - Due to the adrenaline-fuelled combative nature of paintball, it can be very tempting to embrace your inner Rambo and adopt a lone-wolf mindset. But you’ll soon find this to be an ineffective way of winning games — and a very efficient way of getting taken down if you happen to bump into a group of enemies. Team tactics are not only an essential aspect of the sport, but they’re also something that makes it a much more engaging and socially beneficial experience. In fact, it’s the use of team tactics and communication that makes paintball a go-to for corporate team building activities.
2. Keep Moving - Staying in the same spot for too long, no matter how well hidden you may think you are, will get you noticed by the opposing team. This will make it a lot easier for them to hit you with both close and ranged shots, as well as manoeuvre around you for an easy kill. While you’ll definitely come unstuck if you charge in recklessly, it’s crucial to advance enough so that you’re an asset to your team and aren’t forced to retreat into a corner. 
3. How You Move - You should also be mindful of how you’re moving; if you’re hesitant, predictable or sloppy in any way, you’ll be an easy target when moving for cover. As I said previously, I was never an athlete so sprinting was never an option for me. I found that opting to zig-zag while running made it much more difficult for the opposing team to eliminate me from the game. You’ll also find that keeping low to the ground while moving, rather than sprinting bolt upright, will give you a better chance of remaining undetected.  Again, no difficulty for me as I’m only 5 foot 4 in my socks!
4. Gain Intel and Act Accordingly - Although charging in gung-ho does have a certain appeal — it’s definitely an effective way of getting yourself eliminated quickly. Before you launch an attack, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with your surroundings and gather enough intel to develop a decent strategy.  Stealth proved to be essential to me for gaining new intel throughout the game, as I was able to monitor enemy movements and make my team aware of their positions. This was crucial for defending objectives, planning ambushes and keeping one step ahead at all times.

​​Winning reasons

And the surprise of the day ….to my open-jawed colleagues…..was that I helped my team to WIN by capturing the opposing team’s flag.  I was presented that evening at our team dinner with my “tongue in cheek” winning prize; “Stormin’ Norman’s” book.  For those who've never heard of "Stormin' Norman" he was Norman Schwarzkopf, the US Army general who led all coalition forces in the First Gulf War 1990-1991.  I still have the book after all this time.  Looking back I can now see the two main reasons I won. 

1. Firstly, the macho guys on the enemy team didn't see us girls as a threat and under-estimated us ... allowing me to creep up on the outside.  And
   
2. Most importantly…I had followed Mickey’s advice “to keep a cool head ... with the odd look back”.😂😂

My Paintball Winning Prize!

Bucket List Items Ticked Off in the above Blog post
Number 8 - Adventure - Play & Win a Game of Paintball
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​Other Blog Posts
Blog 11 - Sydney, Australia
Blog 12 - Hong Kong, China
Blog 17 - Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai, China
Blog 19 - California, USA
Blog 20 - My Seaplane Adventure

Have you ever played paintball?  Tell me about your experience in the comments section below.

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