Protecting Your Ears at the Gun Range

Protecting Your Ears at the Gun Range

If you visit gun ranges frequently and do not protect your ears from the noise, adverse hearing problems and hearing loss can quickly occur. Young and new shooters often get caught up in the excitement of being at the range and shooting guns, and while they may protect their eyes, their ears are a different story. Appropriate eye and ear protection should be used every time you visit the range. If you wanna find out some more after reading our articles, just check out : Shooting Hearing Protection Reviews.

 

Noise Hazards

 

Few people realize that all it takes is a single gunshot to permanently lose hearing in unprotected ears. Gunfire noise is the number one non-occupational cause of hearing problems. One shot from a .357 Magnum is equivalent to over 40 hours of noise in a loud workplace. Even if permanent hearing loss does not occur, you can still experience hearing problems, such as tinnitus, hissing, humming and ear pain if you do not protect your ears from gunshot noise.

 

OSHA Standards

 

Noise is measured in decibels (dB) and OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has set a permissible level of exposure to noise at 115 decibels for just 15 minutes. While each gun has its own decibel level, depending on how it is made and its caliber, a gunshot averages between 150 and 160-dB. According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association and the University of Central Michigan, permanent hearing damage can occur in unprotected ears when exposed to decibel levels exceeding 140.

 

Noise Amplification

 

Additionally, as the amplitude level of noise increases, the time in which your ears go undamaged decreases. You also have to take into account where you are shooting your gun. An indoor gun range causes reverberation which can amplify the decibel level, while outdoor gun ranges allow sound waves to dissipate. Muzzle breaks and other modifications can amplify the decibel level as well.

 

Hearing Damage

 

Even small caliber guns like the .22 still produce noise levels at or just over 140-dB and pistols or big-bore rifles produce decibel levels over 175. Many people think that hearing protection hampers their shot or is unnecessary because they’ve shot before and never experienced any problems. However, hearing loss can occur from a single instance as well as be caused cumulatively. Just because you think there has been no damage sustained by your ears, it doesn’t mean that is the case. Hearing damage can occur each time you are in close range of a gunshot and that damage can add up to severe ear pain and permanent hearing loss.

 

Select Appropriate Ear Protection

 

Selecting ear protection that provides an acceptable noise reduction rating is essential for protecting your ears. The greater the noise level, the higher the noise reduction rating should be. For general gun range needs, the noise reduction rating should be no less than 25. Ear plugs only allow for minimum protection and passive ear muffs are great if you shoot infrequently or have a small caliber gun. However, if you have a loud gun or shoot often or for extended times, electronic hearing protection headsets are a great investment.

 

Once your hearing is gone, it does not come back, so take the necessary steps to protect your ears while you are at the gun range.

 

Tips & Tricks for Sewing Beginners

Tips & Tricks for Sewing Beginners

If you’re just starting out with sewing, then it might seem a bit intimidating. A lot can go wrong, from unseemly seams to mismatched pieces. If you don’t know what to do, then chances are you’ll make a few mistakes. Thankfully there are a few tips and tricks to help even the most novice beginners sew better.

 

1 – Get the Right Equipment.

 

Believe it or not, not all needles and scissors are made equal. Look for dressmaking scissors or a mat with a rotary cutter. Also select the correct needle for the materials you’ll be using (such as thicker, longer needles for upholstery work, thicker needles for denim, so on).

 

2 – Always Double (and Triple!) Check.

 

There’s a saying you’ve probably heard before ‘cut once; measure twice’. Always measure and measure and measure to ensure that you’ve got everything done right before you cut. You can always alter a garment before you cut, but once you start cutting, it becomes a lot harder. Double check your measurements, placements, and pieces (ensuring that you have 1 right and 1 left arm cut out rather than 2 right or left arms) are correct.

 

3 – Wash and Dry Your Fabric Before You Sew.

 

Wash and dry your fabric after you buy it, and before you sew it. This helps to reduce the amount of shrinkage you can expect after your finished product. This ensures that it fits you better and as it should. If you’re working with a fabric that can’t typically be washed and dried at home (like wool), take it to a dry cleaner to be pre-shrunk.

 

4 – Iron Pattern Pieces – and the Fabric, Too!

 

Iron your pattern pieces with a dry iron to ensure that you get a more accurate shape. Patterns are very easily crumpled and should be treated with care. For even more accurate results, you should also iron the fabric you intend to use (if it can be ironed).

 

5 – Pin the Pieces Together.

 

It’s much easier, whether you’re sewing by hand or with the best sewing machine for beginners, to sew close to the seam when you pin the pieces together. Always make sure, though, that you’re sewing the garment or item ‘inside out’. You will flip it right side out when you’re finished.

 

6 – Use the Whole Length of the Scissors.

 

To ensure cleaner, straighter cuts, use the entire length of your scissors when cutting. Stop right before the tip of the scissors, then start again. This will help your cuts look crisper and be easier to sew.

 

7 – Use a Flat Surface.

 

When you’re doing your cutting and other prep work, using a large, flat surface is incredibly important. Most people find that the dining room table is amply flat and large. Find a space that isn’t cluttered and has room for you to spread out all of your equipment.

 

Sewing is an amazing hobby and you can expect to at the very least save money with it (if not earn a little!) Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun, but follow these basic tips and tricks for a better overall experience!

Home Improvement Projects

Home Improvement Projects

Home Improvement is a very important aspect of your home maintenance plan. Home improvement should be carried out on a regular basis as it is easier to deal with issues one by one rather than when they get all piled up. Home Improvement projects are run by companies as well as people themselves.
Its significance can be viewed by the fact that if you live in that house, it gives you a perfect place to reside and if you desire to sell it away, a well-maintained home fetches you the best price in the market!

pexels-photo-89829DIY Pillow Cases

If you wish to change the entire look of an area you are bored of, all you need to do is let your ideas flow and create varied DIY pillows and you are all set to go! DIY pillows give you an option of choosing the color scheme and the desired fabric all by yourself. These can be simple if they are meant to be placed on a formal couch and can be really funky if they are destined to fall on your little girl’s bed!
These open you up to a number of options and makes it easy for you to personalize them.

Bringing Life to Your Living Room

Do you think your living room is really bland? Do you think of it as dull and beyond boring? If yes, not to worry! Just go with a few easy initial steps and you can bring it back to life. It is always advisable to keep your living area carpeted but if you seem to like the wooden floor, then place a few colorful rugs across the floor. Living room furniture and upholstery should be brave and bold, go all funky with the cushions and paint the walls a lighter color. Now look at it again, did you not see the difference?

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Having a Hobby to Improve Lifestyle

It is believed that having a hobby adds years to your life or if put correctly, life to your years!
Having hobbies and leisure activities is very important in one’s life, especially for elderly. It not only improves your lifestyle but also keeps you mentally healthy. It brings happiness and joy into your life as you keep yourselves busy doing something that you greatly enjoy. This helps you focus on the positive things and keeps us distracted from the prevailing negativity.

A few questions you need to get answered before getting a right dog!

A few questions you need to get answered before getting a right dog!

Always make the adoption counselor answer three questions before he talks you into buying the right dog for you.

What is the Age of the Dog?
If you think you are free most of the time then you should go to buy a puppy because you’d have plenty of time to train it with chewing, eating and playing. But if you happen to be a busy man, always go for adult dogs who are already trained.

Is the dog shy?
If you are a very active person, go with a dog who tends to jump and play all around all day but if all you and is someone to be your living buddy and TV partner then go with a calmer pooch!

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Is the Dog Good with Kids?
Make sure that the dog you choose is nice and sweet. It should be calm towards all people specifically kids and you’d never go wild on anyone. It is a major safety precaution which must be taken.