Equipped To Survive Equipped To Survive® Presents
The Survival Forum
Where do you want to go on ETS?

Page 1 of 2 1 2 >
Topic Options
#54306 - 11/22/05 11:35 PM N-95 masks...
snoman Offline
Member

Registered: 09/22/02
Posts: 181
Hi all. I added a post a while back about flat N-95 masks...

N-95 masks

Now that I've used them, I find I'm disapointed in them. They fit well and pack easily, but I find the elastic straps that come with them are far too wimpy. I've used them at home and at work and only get about an hour out of them before the straps break. I'll probably still carry a few for my emergency kits, only because they pack so small I can carry a few extra to hand out if needed, but for 'normal' use I'm going back to the formed type. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Top
#54307 - 11/22/05 11:45 PM Re: N-95 masks...
Arney Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 2485
Loc: California
Quote:
Now that I've used them, I find I'm disapointed in them.


Always nice to get some real world feedback. Thanks for posting that. I had been interested in those flat masks for a while, but I probably won't be buying any now that I've heard your comments.

Was wondering, where does the strap break? In the middle of the strap? Or does it break off where it connects to the mask?

Top
#54308 - 11/23/05 02:04 PM Re: N-95 masks...
Ready Offline
Newbie

Registered: 07/02/04
Posts: 48
I have been thinking about getting some of these for my BOB, but did not know if the ones with the exhale valve are worth the extra thickness. I understand these may not last all day, but sometimes an hour is all you need to get out of someplace nasty.

Thanks,

Ready
_________________________
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are" Theodore Roosevelt

Top
#54309 - 11/23/05 04:57 PM Re: N-95 masks...
Anonymous
Unregistered


The most accurate use for N-95 masks are to reduce or eliminate particulate inhalation. In the medical setting their primary use if for protection against SARS, TB, etc..... In general use they are your frontline defense for dusty conditions especially those such as drywall work, construction, strucural collapse senarios, mining, etc. There are several version of this type sold, as well much heavier versions, but again with increased procections you start to increase in bulk size and weight. Thats simply why the "typical" n-95 mask is so popular-reputable protection for small size and very minimal weight. The valve mentioned helps to reduce moisture, heat, and prevent any fogging of eyewear. As far as the straps go, you could always upgrade them simply with a stronger piece of elastic cord which you can buy at any fabric shop and attach it with a stapler. Hope this helps

Top
#54310 - 11/23/05 08:19 PM Re: N-95 masks...
Arney Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 2485
Loc: California
Quote:
I have been thinking about getting some of these for my BOB, but did not know if the ones with the exhale valve are worth the extra thickness.


If space is a primary consideration for your BOB, then you can do without a valved version. The valve is primarily for comfort and a model with or without a valve will have an equivalent filtration capability. However, depending on how you envision using them, perhaps comfort could also be a major consideration. I live in earthquake country and even after the ground stops shaking, I may want/need to wear a mask for an extended period of time, day after day, to work amid concrete dust and other kinds of dust. If exteneded wear is a reasonable scenario, then a valved model would be a nice luxury. Actually, I personally just keep regular dust masks for the earthquake scenario, since an N-95 mask seems overkill for that kind of use.

Top
#54311 - 11/23/05 10:11 PM Re: N-95 masks...
cliff Offline
Sultan of Spiffy
Enthusiast

Registered: 05/12/01
Posts: 271
Loc: Louisiana
We use the non-valved N-95 masks while cleaning up in New Orleans. They are less comfortable than the valved ones, and the fogging makes wearing glasses darn near impossible. But, they are cheaper than the valved ones (you can get them by the box-full at Lowe's), which is good since they usually have to be pitched after a few hours use. But for the purposes we are discussing, that should be sufficient.

I have two of these masks in my "just-in-case" pouch in my briefcase. ( I don't like the term "Bug-out", as in Bug-Out Bag. Reminds me of the rabbit scene in 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail': "Run away! Run Away! Run Away!..... King Arthur was Equipped to Survive. Brave Sir Robin, well, he Bugged Out.)

.....CLIFF

Top
#54312 - 11/24/05 03:09 AM Re: N-95 masks...
CJK Offline
Addict

Registered: 08/14/05
Posts: 601
Loc: FL, USA
My 2c.....I almost live in these things.....I'm a medic and am frontline for a lot of stuff. The ones without the valves are fine. I have noticed that the ones with the valves do make it a little easier to breathe but that is not MY concern. I'm looking for complete 'respiratory isolation' for some pretty nasty stuff. For 'dust' and the like.....I wouldn't be too concerned about a perfect seal. I too agree that the "flat" masks don't have the strongest straps.....but I'll say this.....for dust.....I think I'd rather have a lot of the flat ones and change them often rather than 1 or 2 of the formed ones. I also 'store' the formed ones and can attest to the fact that they tend to start to (for lack of a better term) shred. They need to be verey protected or they start to pile (like sweaters do). The weave starts to loosen. I use both on a daily basis and would go with it this way (personally).....LOTS of the flat ones (aka duckbills) and good supply of the formed ones. In regards to the formed ones vs the ones with valves....you choose which.

Top
#54313 - 11/25/05 12:27 AM Re: N-95 masks...
snoman Offline
Member

Registered: 09/22/02
Posts: 181
Arney, they break right where the strap connects to the mask. So far, every time! It seems the elastic they use is rather flimsy.

Top
#54314 - 11/25/05 04:11 PM Re: N-95 masks...
Arney Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 09/15/05
Posts: 2485
Loc: California
Wow, that's a bit disturbing that the strap breaks every time you've tried it...well, unless you have an abnormally massive head. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Hey, I have a big head, so I feel like I can make "big head" jokes. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

But as figtree pointed out, you can staple beefier elastic from the fabric store to the edge of the mask as a replacement mask. If you already have a box of these masks and will keep them, you might want to store one of those tiny staplers and enough extra staples to fix all your masks. You can reuse the elastic between masks, although it won't cost much to buy extra elastic and keep that handy, too, particularly if you might be providing masks to other people.

Just wondering, but do these flat masks actually lie on your face at all, or do they puff out away from your face? I was just wondering if wrapping a bandana over the mask would work in a pinch when the strap broke. Well, that would likely mess up the seal on your face anyway, but still, it's probably better than nothing in an emergency, when you only needed protection long enough to leave an area.

Within the last week or so, I saw something in the news about some company being evacuated when an incoming payment envelope was found to contain a fine powder. Hazmat came to check it out. Turned out to be Kool-Aid or something like that, and was likely accidentally spilled into the envelope, but evacuating the office would be one situation where you'd only need protection for a limited time.

Top
#54315 - 11/25/05 11:53 PM Re: N-95 masks...
Craig Offline


Registered: 11/13/01
Posts: 1784
Loc: Collegeville, PA, USA
I think the valved version would be best for me. I wear eyeglasses all the time, I must, and I fog up about 20 seconds after putting on an ordinary mask.

Debris in the air is one thing. Stumbling about because my spectacles are fogged up and useless is quite another.

-- Craig

Top
Page 1 of 2 1 2 >



Moderator:  Alan_Romania, Blast, cliff, Hikin_Jim 
March
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Who's Online
0 registered (), 269 Guests and 21 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
GallenR, Jeebo, NicholasMarshall, Yadav, BenFoakes
5367 Registered Users
Newest Posts
What did you do today to prepare?
by dougwalkabout
Yesterday at 11:21 PM
Zippo Butane Inserts
by dougwalkabout
Yesterday at 11:11 PM
Question about a "Backyard Mutitool"
by Ren
03/17/24 01:00 AM
Problem in my WhatsApp configuration
by Chisel
03/09/24 01:55 PM
New Madrid Seismic Zone
by Jeanette_Isabelle
03/04/24 02:44 PM
EDC Reduction
by EchoingLaugh
03/02/24 04:12 PM
Using a Compass Without a Map
by KenK
02/28/24 12:22 AM
Newest Images
Tiny knife / wrench
Handmade knives
2"x2" Glass Signal Mirror, Retroreflective Mesh
Trade School Tool Kit
My Pocket Kit
Glossary
Test

WARNING & DISCLAIMER: SELECT AND USE OUTDOORS AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. Information posted on this forum is not reviewed for accuracy and may not be reliable, use at your own risk. Please review the full WARNING & DISCLAIMER about information on this site.