Posted: 2/12/2011 4:40:00 PM EDT
| Hey guys I was looking at getting a couple of gas masks. I read different things on the internet about the military ones. Can someone point me into the right direction? Thanks |
|
Quoted:
Well from what I figure a nuclear attack will kill us anyway,maybe nerve agents,tear gas idk A nuke is just a big bomb. Like any explosive, if you are close enough it will kill or injure you from the blast effects. The only answer is distance, although blast shelters could help if one is far enough away. The aftermath downwind of the blast area will have some fallout that you do not want to breathe so a gas mask may help there, but gas masks are by and large a temporary thing, and it may be weeks before it is safe to breath after a nuclear detonation. You cannot live in a gas mask that long. A fallout shelter with air filtration would be necessary, although a mask and suit would be helpful so you could go outside as needed. You would also need to know how to decon yourself, and some place you could do that. Mostly this is about washing. Soap and water. Lots of water for the most part. Might be an issue after a blast of that magnitude. A gas mask will not help you much against most nerve agents as they are adsorbable through the skin. Tear gas is something that you might encounter if there are riots to contend with, but in reality, your best bet is to stay away from riots if you can. Tear gas is not fatal, but rioters can be. If you look at the police response to people in gas masks at recent riots, you may wish to avoid being the guy wearing a gas mask to a riot. Anyone who stands out at riots gets "special" attention. That is the absolute last thing you want. Gas masks are all but useless if you have facial hair, and you won't have time to shave in an emergency before donning one. And putting one on and testing it needs to be something you do instinctively. It is not difficult. But, you do need to practice regularly. I would have a filter that is only used for practice. Once opened, there is no way to know how long the filter is useful. Keep it in a sealed bag and it will last a lot longer than if exposed to the air continuously. If you wear glasses, be aware that most masks will not seal over them. I am not tying to tell you not to get one. I am telling you to think about your scenario(s) for using one and plan around that. |
|
Most folks think that a gas mask is the answer to a problem that is ill-defined, at best.
if you live in an area that is close to possible train/truck/industrial chemical spills/events, then, perhaps a gas mask might be in order as a first response item. IF you train with it, IF it fits you properly, and IF your filter(s) outlast the problem. If you need eyeglasses to see, then spend the $$$ to make it happen. BTW, make sure you can drink while wearing the mask; you'll need water sooner or later. Let's take a look at Israel's civilian defense measures. The Izzy's issue gas masks to all their Military, as well as essential outer garments. As for most of the civilian population, the Gov't require pre-positioning of neccessary supplies to quickly construct a "safe" room––usually a large room–– which is sealed-off, airtight against most toxic agents. The theory behind this is that most toxic agants quickly disperse, and the danger time is less than the duration of breatheable air in a large room which is air-tight. If we are talking about persistent, military chem agents, or even bio-warfare agents, the safe room will still afford some degree of safety, although the effectiveness depends on a lot of variables, not the least of which depends on the agent(s) being shielded against. As noted above, the gas mask affords some individual shielding against airborne nuclear particles, but in that instance, that might be only a small portion of your troubles. |
|
You can search for decent info here....my .02
-rates in the very unlikely to use category, prob better getting other items -get USGI an M-40....can be had for $40 to $75 if you look around -get the Army NBC manual and review it The Army has a 2 minute decon wipe time to clean off your hands and face if I recall....nerve agent will kill in about this time or faster. If you really think you will survive a blast of military grade nerve agent, you're kidding yourself. Need some NAK kits, a hospital that will render aide....they will set up an outdoor decon station to clean you up prior to getting in the building...that will take a looong time. Bio agents? You won't see it coming and there's no detection. You need meds. Nuke? Mostly particulate threat if you actually survive the gamma and blast. I think I read where you can use a niosh respirator or dust mask. By USGI if you want to pick something up, skip the imported junk. |