[Captain Bunny]

I think you need to get an airsoft mask or helmet as they are designed to withstand the pellets rather than paintballs. a really cool looking one will set you back about $50. not too shabby, and theyre vented so you dont steam up.
The shin pad thing was just a wee caution. If youre play against the big boys toys, get one in the leg, front on and youre going down and youll be limping off the arena.
Still...... its good fun either way. I would only suggest you wore them if you were wearing baggy trousers so you didnt look like a pansy running around with visible shin pads on happy:

As youre new to airsoft, stick to electric guns, theyre great anyway and the gas guns dont have a major advance over them other than being a bit more powerful, but the gas gun owner is not invincible, you stand just as much chance of taking that S.O.B down before he takes you out. Gas guns are more expensive to run, having to buy new canisters instead of just plugging into the mains.
I carry a spare battery with me on the field but ive never had to use it. I can get 2 hours of fierce firing on one battery, unfortunatly, im nackered after about 30mins of running around oOo: