Numerous gas masks are available and instructions for each are specific to the mask and should be read and followed carefully. The instructions below are recommended safety instructions for a canister-type gas mask but models may differ. These are general instructions that may be followed to make sure your mask is secure and safely applied to the face in the event of an emergency.
Fitting the Mask
Remove the mask by the nose piece, being careful to avoid the eye area so you do not smudge or blur your ability to see through it. Never grab or pull on the mask by the outlet valve when putting on or removing it. Be sure to remove the plastic seal before putting on the mask; 13 persons died in 1990 during the Gulf war because they forgot to remove this plug and suffocated, thinking they instead were dying from breathing in the poisonous gas.
The most important area of concern is fitting the mask properly onto the face so there is no air other than what comes in through the filter allowed into the mask. Holding the face piece evenly in both hands, slide your thumbs inside the mask to fully extend it; do not grasp by the head harness as this will force the edges to constrict and will make it hard to put the mask on properly. Your chin should be fitted within the chin pocket securely while you move the top harness over your head, centering the pad over the top over the skull comfortably.
Correct adjustment means a close fit, not necessarily an extremely tight one, so do not over-tighten. After you have the mask properly seated over the face, pull each of the adjustment straps in one swift movement and smooth the mask with outward strokes to remove air pockets and seat it more closely over the face. Test your seal by covering the air intake port while breathing in deeply. The mask should collapse around your face if it is properly fitted.
Care & Storage
Remove the mask by unfastening the straps and grasping the unit by the nose piece and removing it from the head in a downward, outward, and then upward motion. Fold the head hardness into the mask, avoiding touching the eye area. Properly store the gas mask in the carrier within a waterproof bag or container; water will damage the filter in the canister, affecting the efficiency and ruining it. Keep the mask where it is easily accessible and practice putting it on quickly and efficiently so in an emergency situation you will habitually know properly secure it.
Tips on Purchasing Gas Masks
Purchase a gas mask you and family members can try on before buying. Gas masks are not "one size fits all" and are made in sizes for men, women and children; many military outlets have masks designed strictly for soldiers, not the general populace. Be sure the mask is a certified chemical and biological warfare protectant and purchase backup filters, as most filters are only effective for several hours and will need to be changed in the event of a true emergency. Also ask the vendor about the different types of filters available for purchase and what they are effective against. Be careful purchasing inexpensive "surplus" gas masks as many of these are out of date or obsolete.
Tags: mask properly, into mask, mask should, nose piece, over face