What is 'Skirmishing'?

Think Paintball and you're not too far off.  Airsoft skirmishing is a game played in fields, barns, old factories and back-gardens everywhere, and it's growing in popularity.

The basic principal behind the game is as follows.  2 teams with Airsoft replicas, eye / face protection, DPM clothing and a lot of ammunition, go out in to an arena (usually similar to paintball playing fields) and try to shoot the enemy on the opposing team.  Every time someone is hit by a BB, they are considered 'out' of the game, either until the game restarts, or after a short regeneration period.  Many games are variations on this theme, but some are quite unique.

Airsoft replicas, while they are guns, are perfectly safe to use in a well organized skirmish.  BBs travel at a safe speed (below 1 Joule of energy) that even the British Forensic Science Services (part of the British Police and the UK's primary authoritative resource on ballistic effects) have certified as incapable of inflicting a penetrative injury.  The only real dangers lie with BB hits to the eyes, which could potentially cause harm.  During organized skirmish events, all players MUST wear protective clothing and certified eye protection, or they won't be allowed to play.

Skirmish sites in the UK are fully insured and many are part of a new governing body (the UKASGB), designed to regulate member sites throughout the UK.  This body does not tell the sites how to do business, but ensures certain safety standards and helps the member sites obtain insurance and legal recognition.