While every field owner, game organizer, or team may have a different set of rules for their game or event, there are a general set of rules that are widely accepted by everyone across Nova Scotia. The regulations outlined below should not be read as "law", but should be used as a guide to understand some of the founding principals that help keep everyone safe on the field.
The safety of every player and admin on or near the field during games and events is the highest priority, therefore, the below set of rules are regulated at all fields, by all game organizers, clubs, teams, and organizations.
Eye protection ("eyepro") is required at all time while on the playing field, during chrono, or anytime there is risk of an airsoft gun being fired. Eyepro must meet ANSI Z87.1 Standards. Any game organizer or admin reserves the right to remove any player from an event if eyepro is deemed unsafe or does not meet ANSI Z87.1 rating standards.
If, at anytime during game play, you witness or are apart of a real world emergency, the phrase "No Duff" should be yelled. "No Duff" is the standard term across the province that, when heard during a game, means that the game must immediately stop. It is important to yell "No Duff" three (3) times when observing or being apart of a real world emergency.
If you hear "No Duff" while on the field, immediately repeat "No Duff" three (3) times to ensure that everyone across the field is alerted to the emergency. When you hear "No Duff", you must:
Cease fire and Immediately repeat the phrase three (3) times
Put your airsoft gun on safety
Remove your magazine
Remain where you are
Admins and game organizers will investigate the emergency and take the appropriate action to remediate the situation. Once the situation has been handled appropriately, game organizers or admins will begin calling out "Game on", which will signal the game can continue. When you hear "Game On" called, you should repeat this in a yell.
Some examples of real world emergencies where "No Duff" is appropriate includes, but is not limited to:
Your eyepro has fallen off or you've witnessed someone else lose their eye pro
You are injured, or you've observed someone become injured
Any immediate hazard has been observed that could place yourself or others in a dangerous situation, or a situation where someone may become injured
Lasers are not permitted on any field, during any event, including the use of infrared (IR). Lasers and IR can cause permanent vision damage and is not permitted under any circumstances. Individuals with airsoft gun attachments, like flashlights, that include a laser must have a permanent, non-removable cover.
to play airsoft unaccompanied by a guardian, you must be 18 years of age or older. Individuals under the age of 18 are permitted to play airsoft, but they must be:
Accompanied by a legal guardian
Complete a waiver for the field, signed by their legal guardian
This rule is subject to the field owners and/or game organizers and will be discussed during game briefs. In some circumstances during game play you may find yourself in close- to point-blank range from an opposing player. Mercy rule states that you may call out "Bang, Bang" rather than shooting the opposing player from close range.
This rule is often not supported, and is discretional to the players on the field. If you hear "Bang, Bang", you may choose to accept it and proceed with the kill rules of the game, or you may choose to attempt to fire a BB at the opposing player. If you choose not to accept a "Bang, Bang", and the opposing player shoots you before you're able to shoot them, you are considered killed in action (KIA) and should follow the KIA rules of the game. If you decide to call "Bang, Bang" on someone and they choose not to take it, they may attempt to shoot you. If you are hit by the opposing player before you are able to shoot them, despite having called "Bang, Bang" you are considered KIA and should follow KIA rules of the game.
This rule is subject to field owners and/or game organizers and will be discussed during game briefs. Friendly fire means the specific KIA action that takes place should you be hit by a player on your own team. When friendly fire is ON, you must follow the KIA game rules if you are hit by a member of your own team. If friendly fire is OFF, receiving a hit from a friendly does not count as a KIA.
Airsoft is a sport built on integrity and honesty, and relies on those values during game play. If you are hit at any time by an opposing player, you are required to yell "Hit", and follow the KIA rules for the game. All game organizers reserve the right to remove you from a game at any time if you are observed not calling hits.
If you suspect or observe another individual not calling hits, it is important to not engage that individual and instead to inform an admin or game organizer. This is to ensure that conflicts can be avoided during game play and that situations are dealt with appropriately and safely. At no time do any players have any authority over other players to call hits, and should not engage a player who may be breaking rules.
Blind Firing is observed at every field and is not permitted. Blind firing occurs when you are shooting and cannot see down the barrel of your gun. This can occur if:
You are crouched behind an object and you aim your gun blindly around or above the object and fire
You are behind the cover of a door and you aim your gun blindly around the door and fire
It is considered blind firing to be positioned behind a glass, clear, transparent, or see through door and aim your gun around the door to fire
You protrude your gun through a crack, hole, or any small opening to fire whereby you are protected from being fired upon
That is not an exhaustive list, but is meant to provide examples. Generally speaking, it is considered blind firing if you are completely protected from being hit while you are firing your weapon.
Some fields may differ, so be sure to speak to your game organizer during chrono to understand if there are any differences to this.
Close Quarter Combat (CQB) Limit: 1.5 Joules
Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR): 1.5 - 1.9 Joules
Sniper: 1.9+ Joules
Depending on the joules your airsoft gun is shooting during chrono, you may be classified as a CQB, DMR, or Sniper. Each classification has a certain distance in which you may not fire your weapon at another player.
CQB - No MED
DMR - 50 ft, meaning, you may not fire your airsoft weapon at another individual unless you are 50 ft or further
Sniper - 100 ft, meaning, you may not fire you airsoft weapon at another individual unless you are 100 ft or further
Game organizers and admins reserve the right to remove you from the game if you are breaking MED rules, due to safety concerns.