I can't believe I'm asking this...<br><br>Here's the deal. Some of the people who have known me for some time, and never had the least interest in survival matters, are understandably suddenly interested in some narrow aspects. Some knew that I made modest preparations for Y2K (nothing drastic, just backup water, food, heat, light) and so, apparently, I now come to mind.. and what they want to know about is gas masks. Where to find them, what to buy. Obviously the main concern is biological.<br><br>Well, I was never nearly that paranoid about Y2k, so I have little expertise to offer. The last time I looked, probably back in the '80s, the market seemed flooded with Israeli civilian models, which seem scarce now. I know about canteen caps & connectors, and barf tubes, but it seems that this is yet another US military item that's not available to civilians, not even as surplus (and doesn't THAT make you wonder).<br><br>I guess I'm not particularly interested in a discussion of whether or not their fear is warranted- in either case, it's quite real, and this is what they want to do. This is the DC Metro area, and some of these folks work in the middle of downtown.<br><br>Anyone care to weigh in with some real info?<br><br>Thanks in advance.<br><br>