gas mask

[Black Powder]

As we've no need for gas masks, we do have full face masks with medical grade P100 HEPA filters. The masks runs around 45 bucks, but the HEPA filters (exceeds N95 standards) are expensive, but well worth it....

[Nik]

Just seen this on filtering volcanic stuff...

https://phys.org/news/2018-09-industry-certified-masks-volcanic-ash-exposure.html

My selected quotes. Refer to free article for full context:
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Industry-certified particle masks are most effective at protecting people from volcanic ash, whilst commonly used surgical masks offer less protection.
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The research study was designed to understand how both the filtration efficiency (FE) of mask materials, and the facial fit of a mask, could impact on the effectiveness of protection, as well as how users perceived the different types of protection they were testing.

In the study, the FE of 17 commonly used forms of respiratory protection was tested using samples of volcanic ash taken from eruption sites. The industry-certified masks, a mask marketed as being effective at blocking fine particles known as PM2.5, and a very basic mask from Indonesia achieved FE approaching 100 per cent. Surgical masks had FEs of around 90 percent.
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Whilst the industry-certified N95 masks achieve a Total Inward Leakage (TIL) of less than 10 per cent, surgical masks, which are commonly distributed during volcanic ashfall, had a TIL of 35 per cent due to their poor facial fit. The TIL of surgical masks improved to 24 per cent by tying a bandage over the top, but this affected perceptions of comfort and breathability for the wearer.

[RICHFL]

"... I have the Israeli civilian with a 40 mm filter...." That is the problem it is a civilian mask you cannot shoot with any accuracy unless you use a military model. Look on EBay for a M-40, M-9, or others which take the 40 mm screw on filter DO NOT BUY the following:

1. M17A1 because it will take you an 1/2 hour to replace the filters and none have been made in 40+ years.

2. Any soviet mask.

3. Any gas mask that does not take a 40 mm filter!

There are some used in manufacturing that are very good (SCOTT) comes to mind. It will cost you some serious money $200.00 + but is your health important to you?

[Nik]

IMHO, a more likely 'masking' scenario than CBW armageddon is extensive 'natural' fall-out from vast wild-fires or a Cascade volcano.

I'll not say 'don't get bio-filters', that would be so silly, but look how long the Cal fire burned, how far the complex plume carried.

And remember how Mt St. Helens dumped on the neighbours. At that, the US was lucky. Had that lateral blast not occurred and all the stuff gone *up*, there'd have been, IIRC, significant ash-fall all the way to the East Coast...

A reminder of what even a small volcanic eruption can do with wind and water: look at the Hawaii fallout, with its toxic ash, intensely acid Vug smog and lung-slicing glass filaments...

https://geology.com/volcanoes/kilauea/

While stocking up on mask filters, remember to get spares for your car, generator, water etc...

[Applejack]

Something to check into. Has anyone else bought these mask? Be nice to know which ones would be the best if ever needed. Rich your info is very helpful. But I don't think at this time I would want to purchase these. This is something that I would be watching the news and then making that decision based on what is happening in the world.

[RICHFL]

Where to start? Don't buy any M17A1 military gas masks because the filters cannot be changed in under 10 minutes. They are built into the mask. Find a civilian mask used in industry, they cost about 150-200 but we are talking about you staying alive here. Make sure they use the 40mm threaded filters.

Also nice to have is a voice box and a double filter location below the face plate. Then purchase the NATO 40 mm threaded filters. or the civilian type. A tyvex suit with built in boots and hood (used for painting) will do for most activities.

To find the right size you should be fit tested. This included a banana oil test.

Keep the filters in their packages. If used keep a log on time used because not only do filters have a "Used by date" but also a "Maximum amount of time". If you have purchased a good number of filters, buy a training filter for practice. You will find it is much harder to shoot with a mask on!!!!

[Applejack]

Great point.. I do have about 30 or 40 N95 mask as well as some 20 charcoal mask.. these were all free as when the doctor I worked for retired he told me I could have them. Didn't think about for being prepared at the time but took them all home. But I really don't think in case of a necular invasion that these would help at all. Might work long enough to get us away from a situation but that might be about it. I have looked into these other mask but have not as of yet felt a need to purchase those at this time..

[CountryGuy]

You should also consider buying a second suit sealed, unsealed, doesn't matter, just to practice putting it on. If you think you may be subject to nerve or blood agents, good luck getting Atropene and Pralidoxime Chloride injectors or Amil Nitrite. Another thing, take your mask with you to the range (or woods) to shoot with it on. Take this advice for what it's worth, when TSHTF it will be a little late to practice

Great points and advice Rongan. If a person has never shot with a mask on it takes a lot of practice to get half decent. I'd also suggest they get a few spare canisters to practice filter changes with as it can be a challenge. One time we were doing our annual NBC resert in the gas chamber and while we were doing buddy filter swaps my "buddy" dropped my filter and I had to stand there and watch him fumble to pick it up and get it in place... I didn't know I could hold my breath that long...

As you say, if it's chem weapons grade agents, you're done as you just don't and can't get the various anti-agents and decon items to be completely safe. But for some of the more mundane things like CS(tear) gas they will work great.

[grumpygremlin]

I've got a box of the M95 face masks and 2 boxes of surgical gloves- I box medium for the wife and 1 box large for me, I've also got some dust masks with replaceable filters just grabbed a handful when I saw them, that's about it, no NBC suits or gas masks, there is a limit to what I can store in a small modern(built 1995) British house.

[rongan]

I apologize for bump the old topic, but I have some interesting observations that I would like to share, maybe this will help someone in the future because once I was on the lookout for useful advice. I would offer this advice. The type of protective mask and M.O.P.P. suit you need would depend on what type of agents you expect to encounter. If you are thinking that you need something to protect you from the really bad $hit. I would recommend at least an M17A2 https://secretstorages.com/best-gas-mask/ with the hood as blood agents tend to eat the rubber on A1s and earlier. The charcoal lined overgarments with boots and gloves (M.O.P.P. 4 posture) will pretty much protect you from the nasties out there. When purchasing a military surplus suit, be sure the bag is unopened and airtight. If you cannot inspect the bag, you cannot be sure the suit has not been exposed to the air or been used. Whatever type of mask you get, be sure you practice putting it on in under 9 seconds, and that it has a hood to cover your head. Agents may also enter the body through the ears as well as the skin. You should also consider buying a second suit sealed, unsealed, doesn't matter, just to practice putting it on. If you think you may be subject to nerve or blood agents, good luck getting Atropene and Pralidoxime Chloride injectors or Amil Nitrite. Another thing, take your mask with you to the range (or woods) to shoot with it on. Take this advice for what it's worth, when TSHTF it will be a little late to practice

[Thebiglaskowski]

Stick to 40MM threaded filters weird filters can be bad I try to keep all of my stuff in line with most other peoples so I can scavange if need be. That being said I like isarali gas masks the only down side is the filter in the front makes it impossiable to shoot with one on. then there is the M-40 type they can be had id ask around pawn shops and surplus stores in say killeen tx and clarksville tn type places where they need to have current ones on the shelf to sell to a guy who lost his.

[neverknow]

Ive got the current issue m40 gas masks for me and the wife. My filters are the n95 and they dont expire until 2014. The n95 filters protect from everything on the list man has created.

[cbprice797]

Yes if you can find them get the Israeli Civilian version. They have excellent quality control in the factories along with good solid quality materials. I have three myself and find them as comfortable as a mask can be.

[hminus]

You are right, the Israeli are about as good as you can get right now. (without buying new ones from granger 300-500 bucks each).. The 40mm filters have a shelf life, but you can get those new too. I bought an old army mask from the 80's at a military surplus store years ago. FYI, you can't sell old us army stuff on Ebay now... even if it is sold at military surplus places... they will pull your ad at the request of "some gov agency' ???

[coxmw]

Cheaper the dirt had the M95s on sale to to long ago. Haven't look in a week or so. Army surplus stores and Gun Shows.