CPSC Issues New Safety Warning for Paintball Guns

[dischord]

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml04/04105.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2004
Release # 04-105 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052 or Eric Criss, (301) 504-7908

CPSC Issues New Safety Warning for Paintball Guns

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Based on its investigation of two deaths caused by carbon dioxide (CO2) canisters flying off paintball guns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing a new warning. Paintball gun users should be advised 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 from a paintball gun. This valve must stay secured and rotate with the CO2 canister.

In both of the deaths investigated by CPSC, 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 by a paintball CO2 canister as he was removing the canister from the gun. In February 2004, a female bystander was killed by a CO2 canister that was expelled as someone else was removing the canister from a paintball gun. While these investigations are not complete, CPSC is issuing this new safety warning to help people avoid the hazard.

“We are very concerned about the recent deaths associated with paintball gun canisters,†said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. “We are actively investigating these cases. Even though our investigation is not complete, we believe it is urgent to provide this new safety message about the valve detaching from the canister while unscrewing it from the paintball gun.â€

CPSC also 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 re- installing the canister valve. It is critical that the valve be re- installed with the appropriate adhesive and the proper torque.

Make sure the brass or nickel-plated canister valve is securely attached to the canister, rotates with the canister, and does not unscrew from the canister.

The canister assembly should unscrew from the paintball gun in about three or four full turns; if you finish the 4th full turn and the canister is not unscrewed from the gun, stop! Take it to a professional.

Some people have used paint or nail polish to mark the brass valve and the CO2 canister so they can see that the valve and the canister rotate together while being removed from the gun.

 

[Nightfall]

Some people have used paint or nail polish to mark the brass valve and the CO2 canister so they can see that the valve and the canister rotate together while being removed from the gun.

Hmm, good idea. But did we really need a whole press release telling people if you pull off the canister valve, the tank will shoot around the room?

 

[Typhoon]

THANKS for the tip...

 

[SoCalGeek]

Some people have used paint or nail polish to mark the brass valve and the CO2 canister so they can see that the valve and the canister rotate together while being removed from the gun

Or you could just glance at the burst disk. If it aint rotating with the rest of the tank, you have a problem.

 

[longtom4570]

Seems some people aren't smart enough to pay attention to the obvious:banghead:

 

[Strings]

"WARNING: Don't Do Something Stupid!"



Make something idiot-proof, the world produces a better idiot...

 

[clange]

I cant count the number of times i unscrewed my tank without looking at the valve. It never even entered my mind. I'm sure its the same for many kids. Calling attention to this issue is 100% called for IMO, especially with a TON of tanks out there that are going out of date.

 

[fslflint]

uummm, locktite!!! locktite is your friend, use it.