http://www.nationalterroralert.com/gasmasks/

Gas mask purchases are a personal decision each family must make. Educate yourself about gas masks to avoid a mistake that could cost you your life. Consider the following information before purchasing and purchase only from a recognized dealer or manufacturer. A gas mask would only protect you if you were wearing it at the exact moment a bioterrorist attack occurred. Unfortunately, a release of a biological agent is most likely to be done "covertly," that is, without anyone knowing it. That means you would not know ahead of time to put on your gas mask.

To wear a gas mask continuously or "just in case" a bioterrorist attack occurs, is impractical, if not impossible. To work effectively, masks must be specially fitted to the wearer, and wearers must be trained in their use.

This is usually done for the military and for workers in industries and laboratories who face routine exposure to chemicals and germs on the job. Gas masks purchased at an Army surplus store or off the internet carry no guarantees that they will work. In fact, one national chain of surplus stores provides the following statement: "(X) has been selling gas masks as a novelty item since 1948. We have never been able to warrant their effectiveness and we cannot do so at this time...

We do not know what each type of gas mask we sell might or might not be effective against...We do not know the age of each gas mask..." In brief, no guarantees whatsoever are provided. More serious is the fact that the masks can be dangerous. There are reports of accidental suffocation when people have worn masks incorrectly, as happened to some Israeli civilians during the Persian Gulf War. Military personal goes through extensive training in the use of gas masks. If you purchase masks, be sure to get properly trained in their use. Become familiar with putting the mask on and using it correctly. If you are forced to use the gas mask in an attack, that would not be the best time to be donning it, for the first time. And again, KNOW what you are purchasing and understand that a gas mask that will actually work in an attack, will cost you upwards of $125.00

Let The Buyer Beware Information provided by Approved Gas Masks.com The truth about surplus gas masks: Many models of surplus masks & filters are available in nearly unlimited quantities at low prices. In most cases, these prices are low because the mask is either obsolete, recalled or replaced due to design flaws or defective components. Before buying a surplus mask, do your homework, take time to review recalled gas mask models. Here are a few of the most widely advertised surplus masks that should be avoided:

Russian Gas Mask


Unless you are assembling your Halloween
costume, avoid this ineffective mask. Although the $19 price tag is enticing,
this mask is 30+ years old & does NOT provide NBC protection.



EVAC-U-8 Hood


Advertised by some unscrupulous vendors for protection
against NBC agents, this mask is actually intended for smoke/fire protection.
Over 27,4000 have been recalled.



Canadian M69


C-3 The entire Canadian military has removed the C3 from
service (replaced by a completely different model, designated as the C4)
The C3 60mm filter port does not accept NATO threaded filters without
plastic adapter.

If you own or intend to purchase one of these masks, YOU WILL have NO protection against ANY form of attack. They offer NO protection against: NBC -Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical agents. Many offer NO protection against even tear gas! Also old,(even sealed) filters may become toxic

GAS MASK:


Russian/German M-10-M Protective Mask STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete DETAILS: Very old model. This type of protective mask should NEVER be used for protecting against any NBC warfare agents. USAGE: Designed ONLY for protection against tear-gas. (These will most likely not provide this protection as they are ALL more than 20 years expired)

GAS MASK:


Russian M41 Aardvark Protective Mask STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are a triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & internet vendors. USAGE: Russian / Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide 0% protection.

GAS MASK:


Russian SMS Snorkel Protective Mask STATUS: INEFFECTIVE 100% obsolete DETAILS: Complete waste of money. These Russian masks are another triumph in the world of completely useless gas masks, possibly the worst mask still being sold by unscrupulous surplus stores & Internet vendors. USAGE: Russian/ Outdated (over 20-30 years old) could be used as a Halloween costume or conversation piece but it will provide 0% protection.

GAS MASK:


M9 or M9A1 Protective Masks STATUS: OBSOLETE/ineffective (made in the 50's) Details: Uses a 60 mm threaded filter which is very hard to find with a modern & effective filter. USAGE: Tear Gas, Not used since 1960's, these will provide NO protection, as they are 40+ years

GAS MASK FILTER:


WEST GERMAN (various model #'s) STATUS: EXPIRED, HEPA ONLY. DETAILS: This filter is rated at 99.9% HEPA filtration and prior to expiration would be effective against P100 (small particles) agents. Examples: Tear Gas, Unmodified Simple Anthrax & other other non-micronized biological agents. Ineffective against ALL chemical warfare agents. USAGE: German mfg. for riot & tear gas protection. Manufactured prior to 1980, all lots are EXPIRED.

GAS MASK FILTER:


AMERICAN M-9 (circa 1940) 60 mm threaded filter STATUS: 100% EXPIRED DETAILS: Common American issue. (Most from the 50's) USAGE: US issue during prior to 1950. Use of this filter is highly discouraged, it provides 0% protection and may be toxic on it's own

GAS MASK FILTER:


AMERICAN C2 (check exp. date) & C2A1 STATUS: EXPIRED -If more than 10 years old ** (old filters are known to have Chromium Toxicity ** and are considered highly dangerous) DETAILS: To find out if your filter is expired, you must find the printed date of manufacture. Look for the serial number on the can: For Example: RFT 920000CF24054 (sample serial #) (first 2 digits are the year of manufacture) In this example the mfg date: RFT [92] is 1992

These are 100% military surplus filters. The military discontinued use of the C2 in favor of the new/better C2A1 filters.

But Caution: C2A1 filters provide no protection against ammonia based agents. USAGE: Obsolete/US Military Surplus only. Recommended to upgrade to a MSA or M95 filter( the same threads/mask fitting). Both protect against all NBC agents and are 100% current issue / used in federal agencies, etc.

ok, but where's the list of the effective ones?

top of the article...

Approved Gas Masks.com

click it

Hello all/Responce to Ocala

RON L here = SERE SURPLUS


Pretty good write up on gas masks, I do whole hearlty agree on many points!

The Older Russian Over the Head Masks if Old stock were not to be trusted, HOWEVER, theier are Compaines that were selling new made examples of that SAME MASK that uses a 40MM Filter and they were 100% Fine and Homeland security even allowed the sale of them for some companies to sell in the USA! As well many M-17A1-A2 A3 are too OLD TO TRUST! Many have Filters are only uded in training a Blue Filter indicates it's training and not NBC Rated! Old Navy mark 5 as well as so many older WW2, and Korean Era masks such as the M-9 and M-7 and M-4 are not NBC Rated, are also too old to be trusted and even with the use of tear agents the masks should be inspected top to botton for dry rot and rubber parting issues?

The Canadian mask, as well as many other that use the 66MM Filter are to not be trusted for the reasons ya stated as the filters are old, not up to NBC rating, but also, a mask that old, as ya stated on the Russian masks is sure to be DRY ROTTED and TOO OLD TO TRUST!

The Warning you put out about the US Filters, Not sure where Ya got that from, as WV National Guard units are still using and Issue the C1 and C1 filters with a re-inspect date on the can? These same Filters are in use in Iraq and Afgansian by Active Duty Marines and Sailors so I'd question the validity of that warning? c-2 past issue B and C are not legal for ownership by any one but Miliary and law Enforcement units as well! That was not mentioned in your write up? Most US made NBC gear manuf past the date of 2004 are not legal for ownership by anyone except Military and Law Enforcement units! I don't have the reference for that right with me, But all suplus dealers were sent a warting sheet at a few auctions I attended a year ago?


Most Surplus sources that sell the OM-10, Finish and other Warsaw pac countries masks sell with the same discalimer so many use "Sold as Novelty Use only" thats not to say all are Junk, But I'd be willing to want to inspect old maks that are set aside as last ditch efforts! Eev the Old British S-10 mask a great NBC Rated mask is nearing the 25-30 year mark and better not be used till a though inspection is conducted and a gas chamber test! Same of the old Israli "German Made" Drager masks, these "In the Box" issued masks are easily foud on E-bay sold by many suplus locations and others sources and are WAY OLD and if sued better be inspected! The Best General Rule buy the best ya can and Inspect the heck out of it, if your not sure, don't trust or use it? Leave that to those that know how? Homeland Security has issues a statment that NONE of the MASKS MENTIONE$D ABOVE WORK< thought they recommended thier use a short 5 years ago? Lots of Informationa nd Dis-information in the air right now!



I do HAVE A LOT OF NBS EXPERIENCE AND I SELL SUCPLUS BUT YOU WILL RARELY SEE GAS MASKS OR NBC GEAR ON MY SALES AS MOST OF IT IS TOO OLD OR NOT TO BE TRUSTED!


I use a MCU-2P and AN M-40 Mask with C-1 and C-2 Filters I have tested and used my masks in the last 30 days and see no ill effects stated on the M-40 40MM C-1 Issued Filter as stated in the atricle here! Nor as a suplus supplier have I been informed of the issue?

OK, since this thread stayed alive I will post.

1. Ocala, I cannot believe you are posting a link and info from a company interested in selling stuff. (shame on you)

2. A cloth handkerchef over the face is better than nothing in an NBC disaster.

3. An expired mask from Russia is better than no protection.

4. This company wants to sell you their products.

5. I do not trust "ANY" mask 100%.

6. Buy the "best" that you can afford and know how to use it. It will help if needed. (Oh, and pray.)


I am a former NBC detox specialist in the U.S. Army, so this is something I do know about, a lot.

Hello all/Responce to Stainless

RON L here = SERE SURPLUS


Thanks for being a Voice of Reason in this matter? I saw a few good tips about masks in the Post, But Yea, It screamed at me (BUY MY STUFF) more than Let me tell you good to know information? I was never in charge of an NBC Unit, I did do my time inthe Middle east, I know what the Reserve units use here as well as LEO's and that item about the C-1 Filters is an Internet Rumor if i ever heard one? We were always required to check our masks and Gear and always re-inspect the Filters, mask and gear before Re-issue! We did Chamber test the returned masks upon return to the states and that was a sort of TOO late Effort, but it did let ya find out what was wrong and what not to issue back out?

I try not to sell NBC gear, the good stuff is very expensize the Older stuff many times not worth the chance BUT WELL BETTER THAN Nothing?
The main trust about outdated Models of Russian and other Gas masks I feel was correct but his was siad to sell his own gear and thats just not right? In all things Inspect, Test and see if It will support your needs? I'd hate to resort to a hankerchielf as ya mentioned!

I recomend if nothing else a Good White Tyvex Suit from the Hardware store a Hepa masks/Goggles if ya can't or won't find a Military Model, If that works for the WHO and FEMA in Disasters, it has to work sometwhat?
Those worked against Hanta Virus as well as Ebola so thay can't be too shaby?

Stainless wrote:OK, since this thread stayed alive I will post.

1. Ocala, I cannot believe you are posting a link and info from a company interested in selling stuff. (shame on you)

I know but at the time i could not find anything to masks that were good and this is something not to tred lightly on . I will search for something.

Hello all/Responce to Ocala

Ron L = SERE SURPLUS


Just to go back over a few facts, the entire article of the Gas Masks in Truth was a good one! The Warnings that were posted about the Quality of Older Gas masks, (Many of them 66MM) as well as warnings about Older US masks that were past the 20-25 Shelf Life recommended by Homeland Security and a few other folks was sound!

The prevailing attitude of the Post, that the Seller of other Maks had the ONLY PRODUCTS THAT COULD BE TRUSTED, as WELL THE NOTE ON C-1 US MADE GAS MASK CANNISTER Issues was in SERUIOS QUESTION! I've cobsulted a few Folks I know Last night and they still show C-1 and C-2 Canisters in Both Active and Reserve Status and they all have Re-Inspect dats and Many are More than 10-12 Years old, thats the reason for the Re-Inspect Dates in the FIRST PLACE!

I understand the MOTIVATION of the POSTER TO PROVIDE SOME INFORMATION OVER NOTHING ON GAS MASKS, FILTERS AND NBC Items, but to me anyhow (In My Own Opinion), It was as Stailness said, a bit Rushed and a lot not recearched well enough! Disclamers for Inspection were not made, the validity of the Issues raised were not veted by other sources on the Net and in the members experiwnace this could be a good way to let the members look the post over and make it one that will Help new folks and older folks that might not be up on NBC prepardness for thier own uses! Information on Survival items is a hard item to always post in all confidence, It's a battle between Posting and not Posting if your not 100% sure of the posts content! I see participation by other members as a great way to Improve or in some cases Dis-Prove psts and the end result is we can all learn now, so we don't learn the hard way, when it might count as a Life threatening measure?

Thanks to all involved in discussion of a Topic with many ways to look at it and I hope we can keep the thread alive as many other aspects were not covered! The Status of Most NBC, MOPP and other Protective suits for 1! A Mask Alone will not help if your exposed skin are Burned off by Corrosive chemicals in a truck accident or plant explosion? Just my thoughts, but the Viability of what a Survivalist can obtain right now is a great item of concern to many!

You can find a ton of places selling masks, and most will tell you they are "costume" or ineffective. You can also find a ton of places claiming to sell masks that will be effective in a NBC scenario. It would be nice if the people here would give their opinion on suppliers as the average consumer is only trying to wade through all of them. Links are good. I will make the decision myself on who gets my money and when. What I would like to see is more people posting links to suppliers we can trust.