Posted: 11/20/2012 12:55:24 AM EDT
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About 0210 this morning I was woke up by 3 or 4 large explosions and 2 smaller ones. They shook the house they were so strong.
From what I heard from the truckers on the CB. A car was Southbound in the northbound lanes of I-81 it collided with a big rig. The trucker and his wife got out and away. 2 ppl in the car died. R.I.P I wasn't the only one woke up by the explosions. 3 other neighbors were as well. Plus I called and woke up Hard Rock and Bubbles and warned them. I thought the wreck was closer to them than me. I was concerned about toxic material/fumes. Turns out I'm the closest Arfcommer. It is ~1/4 mile from me. As close as I am to 81 guess I need to acquire a gas mask. Any suggestions? That's why a 5 day BOB lives by the front door. |
| I have a couple of R95 masks as opposed to a N95 mask, for the added petroleum aerosol protection... but also have a new surplus Israeli mask in the car...I wear glasses and it clears them, though probably loose some seal.... I'm more likely to drive into a problem than at home....problem is the surplus masks typically come with an expired filter... |
| Living 200 yards off of a major interstate we get a huge amount of hazmat passing by everyday. That has always been a concern. What happened the other night really brought it home. In this case the wind took the smoke East of me. But if it had been blowing SE I would have been in trouble. With my asthma I would have been forced to leave. And this was a non toxic fire. |
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Quoted:
About 0210 this morning I was woke up by 3 or 4 large explosions and 2 smaller ones. They shook the house they were so strong. From what I heard from the truckers on the CB. A car was Southbound in the northbound lanes of I-81 it collided with a big rig. The trucker and his wife got out and away. 2 ppl in the car died. R.I.P I wasn't the only one woke up by the explosions. 3 other neighbors were as well. Plus I called and woke up Hard Rock and Bubbles and warned them. I thought the wreck was closer to them than me. I was concerned about toxic material/fumes. Turns out I'm the closest Arfcommer. It is ~1/4 mile from me. As close as I am to 81 guess I need to acquire a gas mask. Any suggestions? That's why a 5 day BOB lives by the front door. Get something that is good quality and fits you well. Most surplus masks are too old or use rare filters, you want fresh 40mm canisters. If you can afford it, get the GSR (General service respirator) or M50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask. They are expensive and the filters arent as easy to get but oy get what you pay for. I have the GSR and it is indeed awesome. Compared to my S10 that uses 40mm cans, there's no comparison. 
GSR 
M50JSGPM If on a budget something like the M40 or S10 will keep you safe as long as the canisters arent that old and the mask itself isnt very old too. Some are cracked and the rubber is rotting or the valves have dried up. Check out the different sizes and make sure it fits each family member well. FerFAL |
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if you can buy new with new filters do so. that is always the best advice.
if your budget is low most modern masks in serviceable condition will provide an adequate seal for a short term bugout. Proper filters are critical. i pre a mask that uses a standard nato 40mm filter. surplus filters are cheap and will hand most things you would need such a thing for. a few month ago MSA ULTRAVUE masks could be found on ebay in NEW condition for around 30.00. these are not only 40mm they are adaptable to scba use and are common fire fighter masks. looks like they are in the 50.00+ range now. if you don't know what to look for and how to fit use one... learn. masks are not something you buy and put away. they need to be properly fit and maintained/inspected regularly. it's not rocket science just takes an effort. your local fire department will likely be happy to help fit you if you ask them. |
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Most gas masks won't handle chemical spills. with proper filters... yes, they will. thats what they are made for 
part of prepping is knowing your threats. that incudes chemicals routinely transported in your area as well as what manufacturing plants are around you. i'd rather see someone take their chances with an expired gi filter than no mask at all. these are not for working in a hazmat area. they are for GTFO asap. |
