[whitemexican90]

Hey guys I could really use some help from the paintball community right now,

My name is Reagan, I'm 17 and I've been playing paintball for 7 years; wouldn't give it up for anything else in the world. So about a year ago I received 2 concussions within 24 hours (Saturday and Sunday) while playing in a paintball tourney. I got hit 2x right on top of each other above my left temple and once in the back of the head where the squishy part is in the middle. Anyways I've been going to many different therapies and have improved tremendously over time. I'm just now starting to try to go back to school one class at a time for the second attempt and the Doc has cleared me to go back to paintball; however, I have to have a full helmet paintball mask that he approves of. I've searched and purchased multiple masks and so far none have fit my ginormous head.

What I'm trying to say is, do ya'll have any ideas or suggestions?

Does anybody make customizable paintball masks?

If ya'll have any connections with paintball companies or helmet producing companies (like football, baseball, etc...) could ya'll help me get in contact with them?

I don't know what to do! I feel like there's nothing out there and that I'm going to have to quit paintball! It even makes me more miserable with the season about to start up in a couple of weeks!

Thanks

[aresfiend]

http://www.ansgear.com/Gen_X_Global_...elmetblack.htm

I've seen these and I've heard that they fit just onto the edge of your mask just fine (Mask that I heard it was used with was the i3)

[Virginia Rebel]

What about a padded hat. Like empire made or 100th monkey?

[whitemexican90]

Originally Posted by aresfiend

http://www.ansgear.com/Gen_X_Global_...elmetblack.htm

I've seen these and I've heard that they fit just onto the edge of your mask just fine (Mask that I heard it was used with was the i3)

Yea I've seen those but the issue with them is that it doesn't cover the interior back of my head. Thanks though

[whitemexican90]

Originally Posted by Virginia Rebel

What about a padded hat. Like empire made or 100th monkey?

Yea try talking to my mom about that but thanks man for the suggestion!

[nerdcore]

Have you tried JT Flex 8 "Full Coverage?"
http://www.ansgear.com/Jt_Flex_8_Ful...8fullolive.htm

Empire XRay Protector?
http://www.ansgear.com/Empire_X_Ray_...mskblkthrm.htm

One of Rap4's helmets that are compatible with masks?
http://www.rap4.com/store/paintball/...3_502_327.html

[aresfiend]

Honestly, you're mostly out of luck for protecting the back. How you can get a concussion there just because of the soft spot, I don't know. I mean, not like the hours of study I've done on my own concussions matter, but I'd think you'd have more to worry about than just a helmet if you got a concussion in the soft spot in the back of your head from a paintball in the first place.

[whitemexican90]

Originally Posted by nerdcore

Have you tried JT Flex 8 "Full Coverage?"
http://www.ansgear.com/Jt_Flex_8_Ful...8fullolive.htm

Empire XRay Protector?
http://www.ansgear.com/Empire_X_Ray_...mskblkthrm.htm

One of Rap4's helmets that are compatible with masks?
http://www.rap4.com/store/paintball/...3_502_327.html

I've tried the XRay and the Flex 8.
The Rap4's helmets I showed my mom them and she said no.
Thanks tho!

[whitemexican90]

Originally Posted by Virginia Rebel

What about a padded hat. Like empire made or 100th monkey?

When you said 100th monkey, I thought you were talking about a headwrap or whatever. Anyways, I just looked that up and I think that might be the one. I've never hear of this company before!
Thanks man!

[Virginia Rebel]

Originally Posted by whitemexican90

When you said 100th monkey, I thought you were talking about a headwrap or whatever. Anyways, I just looked that up and I think that might be the one. I've never hear of this company before!
Thanks man!

I think I saw some where that empire was re releasing there padded hats. They do pop up on here once and awhile. I bought one for the girlfriend after suffering from a concision when being bunker at a tourney. They work!

[shokertm]

thick beanies help a lot, Just wear it kind of low in the back. I've received 2 slight concussions to the back of the head, Usually my hearing just dims for a little while and I get light headed for about 4 minutes, Then im good.

[K-9]

Take a look at skrumming hats for rugby.
They go all the way back to the base of the neck and are made of neoprene.

Im in a similar situation with a recent stroke/blood clot in my brain

[whitemexican90]

Thanks guys I will look into them!

[Super69ur]

rugby "helmet", good idea.
honestly, if worse case scenario, get a seamstress to make you something like a welding cap. pad it all up with soft neoprene and foam.

[Jimmy Robo]

I owned hundreth monkey cap. It has more than enough padding and will protect your head. I used to play speedball and always ran with my head down. No issues whatsoever. Also reffed with that hat and always got shot in the head. 90 percent just bounced off. There is easily 3/4 inc of padding or more.

The only bad part is that u will seriously stretch whatever strap u wear with the mask

[tlane77]

Originally Posted by aresfiend

Honestly, you're mostly out of luck for protecting the back. How you can get a concussion there just because of the soft spot, I don't know. I mean, not like the hours of study I've done on my own concussions matter, but I'd think you'd have more to worry about than just a helmet if you got a concussion in the soft spot in the back of your head from a paintball in the first place.

Concussion - A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head

You can get a concussion from anything. People are prone them. It's possible that this paintball hit him from a foot away directly in the soft spot at the right moment. Kind of like those stories where the kid gets a line drive in baseball directly on his chest and stops his heart. I got shot point blank from about 3 feet in the ear last winter by a rental that was shooting 300+. Right through soft ear of my mask and into my ear canal. Once I was able to see straight and hear well enough to drive myself to the ER I got the work up for....wait for it.....a concussion.

How is he out of luck? There's about 10 suggestions as to what he can do to protect his head. I say a beanie with maybe a sweatband under it for some extra padding.

Good luck man. I've had about 3 from playing HS and minor league football. I still feel the effects and I haven't played in 10 years. Take care of yourself and if giving up paintball is what has to happen then that's the way it is.

[aresfiend]

Originally Posted by tlane77

Concussion - A concussion is a minor traumatic brain injury (TBI) that may occur when the head hits an object, or a moving object strikes the head

You can get a concussion from anything. People are prone them. It's possible that this paintball hit him from a foot away directly in the soft spot at the right moment. Kind of like those stories where the kid gets a line drive in baseball directly on his chest and stops his heart. I got shot point blank from about 3 feet in the ear last winter by a rental that was shooting 300+. Right through soft ear of my mask and into my ear canal. Once I was able to see straight and hear well enough to drive myself to the ER I got the work up for....wait for it.....a concussion.

How is he out of luck? There's about 10 suggestions as to what he can do to protect his head. I say a beanie with maybe a sweatband under it for some extra padding.

Except the thing is that it's physically impossible to get a concussion from being shot in the soft spot, probably because of the lack of skull and brain. That would be spinal damage if anything.

[EvilPimp_]

Originally Posted by aresfiend

Except the thing is that it's physically impossible to get a concussion from being shot in the soft spot, probably because of the lack of skull and brain. That would be spinal damage if anything.

Are you a doctor? I would think the shockwave from the impact could cause injury, especially to the soft spot. I'm sure the OP's doctor knows what he is talking about.

Sounds like the 100th monkey hat/cap may be the way to go if you've tried the Flex8 full coverage mask already. I know someone that had to use a Flex 8 after getting a dangerous blood clot in the head after being shot in the head.

[tlane77]

Originally Posted by aresfiend

Except the thing is that it's physically impossible to get a concussion from being shot in the soft spot, probably because of the lack of skull and brain. That would be spinal damage if anything.

Yeah I can google too. Being 17 he probably doesn't have a fully developed skull. Not uncommon. He also said he was shot in the back of the head, not the back of the neck.

Something also tells me that after getting hit in the temple and getting a concussion that any shot in the head after that is moot.

[aresfiend]

Originally Posted by tlane77

Yeah I can google too. Being 17 he probably doesn't have a fully developed skull. Not uncommon. He also said he was shot in the back of the head, not the back of the neck.

I'm 17 too, and I can guarantee that there is NOT a soft spot in the back of the head, but there is a soft spot just under the base of the skull just like everyone else. Just for curiosity I took a look at my 14 year old friend's back of the head and there's definitely not anything soft there until you get below the base of the skull, and even the same thing with my 10 year old brother.

If you have a soft spot at the back of the head, something isn't right and you should probably not be playing if it's that big of a risk.

Something also tells me that after getting hit in the temple and getting a concussion that any shot in the head after that is moot.

Something I'm wondering is why it took so long for the effects of such a severe concussion to kick in that OP would keep playing. I know when I got both of mine I noticed I was having troubles standing almost immediately, let alone do any of the more complex actions for the sport I was playing without falling down.

[tlane77]

You're right. You have all the answers. Sorry I questioned you.