How does the mechanical safety on an airgun work?

The four core safety rules are identical to firearms and equally important.

Airguns often have a cross-bolt or lever safety that may or may not block the sear, may auto-engage on cocking (typical of break barrels), and may not reliably prevent accidental discharge. Some PCPs and most CO2 guns have no manual safety at all. Never trust any mechanical safety to make a gun safe; muzzle direction and trigger discipline are what actually keep people from being shot.