I've noticed some people here have recommended the purchase of chem suits. That sounds like a great idea, but my question is how will you know your being contaminated? Unless you have some kind of warning device like M9 paper which still has limitations, when will you know when to use it? Just something to throw out there to think about and generate discussion.

I happen to think the idea of purchasing chem suits, gas masks, etc., is pretty absurd for most people. Who's going to lug these things around all the time and get into them in sufficient time to make a difference? And you're exactly right, many of the conditions that justify wearing a chem suit are undetectable without highly specialized equipment.

Also, I'm told that some non-trivial (perhaps large) percentage of this gear being sold on the web is junk. The next time someone wants to sell you a "Genuine Israeli Gasmask," you might simply do better to save your $$ and learn how to hold your breath.

I think at some point you have be realistic about what threats are plausible and manageable and which are really beyond the limits of reasonable preparation. I realize some people here will disagree with me, but that's the fun of public discussion. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

most gasmask sold are long past there usuable shelf life and often have tranings canisters on them. Also every year people are dying because they didn't use a gasmask properly.

I don't have gassuits nor a gasmask that i trust. I do have one, but that was one i just bought for fun, years ago.