Like most people, you probably think of the shooting range as a fun and safe place to blow off some steam. You may also believe that you don’t need anything to stay safe when training for shooting. But it’s quite the opposite. It can be a dangerous place as well. Lucky for you, today, we will share some safety tips that you should follow when hitting the shooting range. By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of injury and have a more enjoyable experience at the range.
Wear the Proper Protection Attire
First and foremost, you need to ensure that you’re wearing the proper protection attire. It includes eye and ear protection. Most ranges will require that you wear both of these items before you’re allowed to shoot. But even if they don’t, you should still err on the side of caution and wear them anyway. In addition to eye and ear protection, it is vital if you’re handling a lot of firearms. Gloves will help keep your hands safe from the recoil and heat that can come from shooting.
Warm-Up Before the Training
Like with any physical activity, you must warm-up before the training. It will help to prevent injuries. An excellent way to warm up is to do some light exercises. You can also stretch your muscles. You’ll be less likely to get injured when shooting by warming up your body. When warming up, be sure to focus on the muscles you’ll be using the most. For example, if you’re shooting a lot of handguns, you should focus on your wrists and hands.
Use Your Dominant Eye to Your Advantage
If you’re right-handed, the chances are that your right eye is your dominant eye. And if you’re left-handed, the chances are that your left eye is your dominant eye. When shooting, you should always use your dominant eye to line up the sights. It will help to improve your accuracy. If you’re unsure which eye is your dominant eye, you can try this simple test. Hold your thumb up at arm’s length and focus on an object in the distance. Now, close your left eye and see if your thumb moves. If it does, then your right eye is your dominant eye.
Learn the Shooting Range Safety and Etiquette
Last but not least, you should make sure that you learn the shooting range safety and etiquette. Every range is different, so you must know the rules of the one you’re going to be using. In general, the shooter needs to keep the firearm directed in a safe direction at all times. The muzzle should never be pointed at anything that you don’t intend to shoot. In addition, you should always hold your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. All in all, it’s not that difficult to stay safe when hitting the shooting range. You just need to focus and follow any safety rules at the shooting range. By following these safety tips, you can minimize the risk of injury and have a more enjoyable experience.