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#58500 - 01/18/06 06:22 AM Geeking on Gasmasks
Anonymous
Unregistered


I sit and wonder some times....
1. Is a gas mask worth having?
2. What use / how practical is it?
3. What features would be desireable in a gas mask?
4. How many cartridges / accessories would be stocked?
5. They are not cheap at 300usd for a top shelf model. Is a cheap one trustable? (I don't climb on poor quality ropes no matter the cost, so guess what I think?)
6. Will it push my girlfriend over the edge or will she kinda like it?

What do you think?

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#58501 - 01/18/06 07:03 AM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
Alan_Romania Offline

Addict

Registered: 06/29/05
Posts: 648
Loc: Arizona
Quote:
1. Is a gas mask worth having?
Simply, no (IMO).

Gas masks or APRs (air purifying respirators), APRs are good to protect the user from a know toxin (or range of toxins). APRs are not viable protection when the toxin is unknown, or in an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Effective duration of protection provided by a cartridge(s) will vary depending on the concentration of the toxin(s) and respiratory rate of user.

Someone who lives in an environment where they know that they can be exposed to a specific hazard could find owning a gas mask helpful. For example, soldiers are issued gas mask that are designed to protect them from known chemical and biological weapons.

Now, one could argue that one of these military gas masks would be good to have. However, when would you don it? When would you take it off? Without detection equipment it how useful would it be?

If owning one makes you feel more secure, than go for it… but I bet you could find much better things to buy with the $300+...
_________________________
"Trust in God --and press-check. You cannot ignore danger and call it faith." -Duke

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#58502 - 01/18/06 07:13 AM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
Anonymous
Unregistered


Nice,
Thanks for the angle.
I am trying to find out if one will make me feel more secure.
Assuming a full CBRN filter I would think they would be effective against the mere H5N1.
Is this total overkill?
I would consider it if I had to treat a sick relative or loved one.
That is really the only reason I can forsee needing one. Or perhaps a loved one using it to protect themselves and treat me?

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#58503 - 01/18/06 07:23 AM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
Alan_Romania Offline

Addict

Registered: 06/29/05
Posts: 648
Loc: Arizona
Total Overkil for H5N1 <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> all you really need is a N95 mask that fits N95 Mask

A mask meeting NIOSH CBRN standard could be useful, but I still believe that it would be overkill for most.
_________________________
"Trust in God --and press-check. You cannot ignore danger and call it faith." -Duke

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#58504 - 01/18/06 07:30 AM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
Anonymous
Unregistered


Thanks,
I have a ton of n95s, n99s, and p100s (cartrige type)... Call me paranoid. I'll agree with you. So will all my friends... Until I am handing out n95s to them because they cant get any at walmart <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Then they will call me prepared.
Would you go about disinfecting the mask the same way you would a cartridge type mask? Wipe down with viruscide/bactericide? I thought I saw some literature about baths for them?
Hey romania, thanks a buch podner for the advice!


Edited by sangre_nm (01/18/06 07:32 AM)

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#58505 - 01/18/06 08:36 AM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
Alan_Romania Offline

Addict

Registered: 06/29/05
Posts: 648
Loc: Arizona
Buy the disposable N95/99 masks and dump them when done. Not worth cleaning and reusing. for the p100, follow the manufacture’s directions. I personally find 10% bleach works well on rubber, metal and plastic. Cloth and paper don’t disinfect easily and you run the risk of breathing the fumes of the cleaner even after the mask dries.
_________________________
"Trust in God --and press-check. You cannot ignore danger and call it faith." -Duke

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#58506 - 01/18/06 08:37 AM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
Tjin Offline
Pooh-Bah

Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
1. Is a gas mask worth having?
what romania said.

2. What use / how practical is it?
only usefull if you have it with you and known when you have to wear it. Also knowning how they work is pretty handy too, every years a couple people die because they forget to take of the seals of the filter cannisters...

3. What features would be desireable in a gas mask?
One that fits properly, hydration tube, optional build in glasses thing, etc.

4. How many cartridges / accessories would be stocked?
What are you preparing for?

5. They are not cheap at 300usd for a top shelf model. Is a cheap one trustable? (I don't climb on poor quality ropes no matter the cost, so guess what I think?)
Many cheap gasmask are wel over date, they may have developed leaks, cracks, etc. Also the canister has reduceded efficientcy.

6. Will it push my girlfriend over the edge or will she kinda like it?
i'm not getting between a couple...
_________________________


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#58507 - 01/18/06 01:05 PM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
halogen Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 12/09/05
Posts: 54
Ok, I'm no expert on this, but I don't find these arguments entirely convincing...

Quote:

Gas masks or APRs (air purifying respirators), APRs are good to protect the user from a know toxin (or range of toxins). APRs are not viable protection when the toxin is unknown, or in an oxygen deficient atmosphere.


Of course you won't have guaranteed protection against an unknown threat, but military-type filters are designed to protect against a wide range of threats. (Activated charcoal/carbon will bind with or filter out all sorts of stuff, IIRC.) If I was in a situation where I thought I might benefit from one, I'd much rather have it than not.

Quote:

Now, one could argue that one of these military gas masks would be good to have. However, when would you don it? When would you take it off? Without detection equipment it how useful would it be?


Some possible scenarios:

  • You are warned of nearby chemical leak, or a big fire with unknown pollutants in smoke.
  • You are in a city and there's an explosion. It could be a dirty bomb or chemical device (though it probably isn't).
  • You get caught up in a civil disturbance and the police use CS/tear gas.
  • Others (say, a crowd spilling out of a tube station) have burns/eye irritation/breathing difficulties/other suspicious symptoms.


When to take a respirator off? When you have to, or are somewhere you are reliably told is safe.

Of course, I'm not arguing that a respirator is a good investment for any particular person (or most people). They do seem to be an expensive solution for a fairly unlikely problem.

As I said above, I'm no expert on this, so please tell me why I'm wrong... :-)

eeph

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#58508 - 01/18/06 01:55 PM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
trooper0366 Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 06/21/03
Posts: 59
Loc: Missouri
While you may or may not want a Field Protective Mask(gas mask), some type of filtering mask could come in real handy if you live in an area prone to large wildfires. In 2004(I think this is correct year) folks in the Fairbanks area of Alaska were subjected to heavy smoke concentrations for several continous days. This became a real health issue for folks that suffer from Asthma, etc. My daughter in law lives there and said it got to be a problem obtaining any type of filtering mask from the local stores.

I am aware of two masks designed for wildland firefighters. One has the name Hot Shield and the other is named Whiffs. They are aviable from wildfire equipment suppliers.

A set of goggles could come in handy with the mask in some siturations.
_________________________
Without integrity one has nothing.

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#58509 - 01/18/06 02:45 PM Re: Geeking on Gasmasks
KI6IW Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: 12/23/05
Posts: 203
Loc: San Francisco Bay Area, USA
If you already have N95's then I would invest my money in something else. A filter-type NBC mask has to be refitted every year. Some types do not work with any facial hair. I was issued my first in 1983 for my riot bag. It has never been used outside of training. They DO NOT work in O2 depleted environments. If you are concerned about flu, good hygene and a box of N95's (and common sense) should get you through. If you live or work in a building over five stories, and it does not have fire sprinklers, then I might consider an escape hood with filter, once again knowing that it does not work in an O2 depleted environment, but may buy you some escape time in case of fire.
_________________________
"We are not allowed to stop thinking"

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